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Referee question

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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Riff_Raff
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Referee question

Post by Riff_Raff » Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:15 pm

I was wondering if I could ask a therapist who I see regularly as a non-professional referee? I've seen him during appointments maybe 3-4 times in the past 3 years. Would it be OK or would I need to look for someone else?

The professional referee would be my dentist who knows me as a patient.

I have some trouble getting referees as I have moved and changed jobs, I would need to wait another half a year for my current friends and co-workers to give me a reference and I don't want to wait.

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Re: Referee question

Post by CR001 » Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:29 pm

Should be ok.
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haiksuresh
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Re: Referee question

Post by haiksuresh » Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:40 pm

can i both the referees are professional ? Two of my colleagues are British citizens one was Limited company director. Other person was permanent employee.

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Suresh

Noetic
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Re: Referee question

Post by Noetic » Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:48 pm

"employee" isn't a profession in that context anyway. And yes both can be on the professional list as long as at least one is a British citizen. But if one is just an employee then they need to bea British citizen.
Last edited by Noetic on Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Riff_Raff
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Re: Referee question

Post by Riff_Raff » Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:54 pm

thank you ! do they both have to provide their passport numbers or can they just put 'additional information upon request' ? I don't think it's going to be a problem but I have a feeling at least one of them might prefer this option.

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Re: Referee question

Post by noajthan » Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:32 am

Riff_Raff wrote:I was wondering if I could ask a therapist who I see regularly as a non-professional referee? I've seen him during appointments maybe 3-4 times in the past 3 years. Would it be OK or would I need to look for someone else?

The professional referee would be my dentist who knows me as a patient.

I have some trouble getting referees as I have moved and changed jobs, I would need to wait another half a year for my current friends and co-workers to give me a reference and I don't want to wait.
Ref HO guidance on these vital questions:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... n-v6_0.pdf
6.3.7 For adult applications each referee should have known the applicant personally for at least 3 years.
6.3.7.9 Those acting in a professional capacity may not wish to provide their personal details. In such cases, we would be content for the person acting as a referee to put his or her business contact details. In addition, if the person does not wish their passport details to be seen by the person applying for citizenship, they can omit this from the form, entering “details available on request”.
All that is gold does not glitter; Not all those who wander are lost. E&OE.

Riff_Raff
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Re: Referee question

Post by Riff_Raff » Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:40 am

Thanks! Does 'knowing personally' mean that being someone's patient is acceptable? It could be understood in different ways as in a HR officer who only knows you by name on the records is not acceptable but anyone who has personally met you and knows who you are is OK (and meets the 3 year & professional requirement) ?

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Re: Referee question

Post by noajthan » Sat Sep 17, 2016 9:46 am

Riff_Raff wrote:Thanks! Does 'knowing personally' mean that being someone's patient is acceptable? It could be understood in different ways as in a HR officer who only knows you by name on the records is not acceptable but anyone who has personally met you and knows who you are is OK ?
In the context of a professional referee, I interpret "personally" as simply known in person.
It would be unprofessional for a professional to the cross boundaries into 'friendship'.

In the context of a family friend, "personally" would suggest a friendship or at least an acquaintanceship (more than the impersonal, curt nod and brief "good morning, how are you" of a professional relationship).
All that is gold does not glitter; Not all those who wander are lost. E&OE.

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Re: Referee question

Post by Saladin0011 » Sat Sep 17, 2016 10:18 pm

I have question related to referee. Is HO contacting them for references every time or only sometimes?

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Re: Referee question

Post by CR001 » Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:28 pm

Saladin0011 wrote:I have question related to referee. Is HO contacting them for references every time or only sometimes?
Referees are hardly ever contacted.
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Referee address

Post by Riff_Raff » Tue Sep 27, 2016 9:24 pm

My dentist gave me a reference but he put his practice address and e-mail in the contact section, I was wondering if this is acceptable by the Home Office?

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Can a GP be my referee?

Post by Riff_Raff » Thu Sep 29, 2016 7:37 pm

I asked for a reference today and my GP told me that they've recently stopped doing references for passports and such because they need to know you personally not just as a patient.... and he's pretty sure for naturalization it's the same.

I was wondering if that is the case and will Home Office accept a reference from someone who knows you as a patient not as a friend / colleague etc. ? I already asked my dentist for a reference and got it but was wondering if it's acceptable by the home office?

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Are my referees OK?

Post by Riff_Raff » Thu Oct 27, 2016 1:40 pm

My dentist and GP have signed the referee form, I'm wondering if this is acceptable for Home Office as they both know me as a long time patient rather than personally knowing me (as in friend etc..). The also both gave the practice addresses and numbers and passport details upon request. Both British citizens.

In case if HO has problems with both will my application get rejected or will they ask me to provide different referees?

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Re: Referee question

Post by noajthan » Thu Oct 27, 2016 2:00 pm

Posts merged.
No need for multiple posts.
All that is gold does not glitter; Not all those who wander are lost. E&OE.

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Re: Are my referees OK?

Post by noajthan » Thu Oct 27, 2016 2:06 pm

Riff_Raff wrote:My dentist and GP have signed the referee form, I'm wondering if this is acceptable for Home Office as they both know me as a long time patient rather than personally knowing me (as in friend etc..). The also both gave the practice addresses and numbers and passport details upon request. Both British citizens.

In case if HO has problems with both will my application get rejected or will they ask me to provide different referees?
As long as not related to you (or each other); not your personal representative; no unspent convictions (etc) - then all good.

Professional addresses are ok.

If HO takes exception to one or other they will invite you to nominate another referee.
As explained previously, references are not usually taken up.
All that is gold does not glitter; Not all those who wander are lost. E&OE.

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Re: Referee question

Post by ujp » Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:18 pm

Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.

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Re: Referee question

Post by alterhase58 » Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:26 pm

ujp wrote:Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.
From many postings on the subject it seems that referees are not normally contacted. Of course HO can easily check them out via their systems if they wish but applicants wouldn't know. Suggest you don't worry about it - it would just be gazing into the crystal ball.
This is just my opinion as a member of this forum and does not constitute immigration advice.
Please do not send me private messages asking for advice.

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Re: Referee question

Post by ujp » Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:00 pm

alterhase58 wrote:
ujp wrote:Hi,
Does anyone know when are the referees checked? Is it an approximate time after biometrics? I was wondering if this could give us a hint about the stage of the application process...
Thank you.
From many postings on the subject it seems that referees are not normally contacted. Of course HO can easily check them out via their systems if they wish but applicants wouldn't know. Suggest you don't worry about it - it would just be gazing into the crystal ball.
Thank you for your quick reply. I must admit, I was hoping that they would do the checking and the referees would be aware of it. That way we could get a sense of 'staying in touch' with the process. So yeah, I guess it's just a waiting game.... Thank you for your advice.

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