Naturalisation questions

[vanir767]

Hi everyone,

I will have few questions as I will be trying to apply for British citizenship.

So far I have passed Life in the UK test and have certificate of GESE B1 speaking and listening with distinction.

Now Im going through refeeres.
Iv got the first one which is my current work colleague and we have known each other about 5/6 years he is British but doesnt have passport hence i have doubts if hes suitable.

I also have my colleague from my previous job hes also British over 25 and does have a passport.
Now the second referee would be my house mate, we are living in the same shared house for about 5 years now, he is a quality manager in local factory, he isnt British, we are both Polish, I dont know if this could be a double edged sword because on one hand its says that the referee should know the applicant on more personal level than just professionaly which would be a positive or it will get refused because we are living in the same house, he is not my relative and as I was thinking about it he is probably the only person that meets the requirements and is willing to sign it for me.

Also my other question would be about proving residency. I have settled status and ILR since 2020, I have P60s from 6 years, is that sufficient?
I have no household bills etc I only pay for my room with all bills included.
Im registered at the local surgery altough Iv never been to my GP as i didnt have any issues so far.

Thanks in advance.

[alterhase58]

Hi everyone,

I will have few questions as I will be trying to apply for British citizenship.

So far I have passed Life in the UK test and have certificate of GESE B1 speaking and listening with distinction.

Now Im going through refeeres.
Iv got the first one which is my current work colleague and we have known each other about 5/6 years he is British but doesnt have passport hence i have doubts if hes suitable.

I also have my colleague from my previous job hes also British over 25 and does have a passport.
Now the second referee would be my house mate, we are living in the same shared house for about 5 years now, he is a quality manager in local factory, he isnt British, we are both Polish, I dont know if this could be a double edged sword because on one hand its says that the referee should know the applicant on more personal level than just professionaly which would be a positive or it will get refused because we are living in the same house, he is not my relative and as I was thinking about it he is probably the only person that meets the requirements and is willing to sign it for me.
No issue, friends, neighbours, colleagues can be referees, as long as you are not related to them. They don't need to know you deeply personally (mine were both colleagues from the same office, but no social connection). Sharing a house is not an issue.
Also my other question would be about proving residency. I have settled status and ILR since 2020, I have P60s from 6 years, is that sufficient? You only need 5 P60s - that's sufficient.
I have no household bills etc I only pay for my room with all bills included.Not required.
Im registered at the local surgery altough Iv never been to my GP as i didnt have any issues so far. not required.

Thanks in advance.

[vanir767]

Thank you for answering.

I have few more questions Im not certain.

1. Does a British referee must hold a passport
2. Is providing work address instead of home address ever been and issue
3. I have not exceeded time abroad although is there an actual necessity to provide that I have not left the UK for more than 90 days in a year period.
4. I've also seen something about being present in the UK 5 years before on the day of application. Does these have to be proven?
The only thing I could think could be bank statements or payslips to cover that.
5. What is the most common reason a referee is being refused.

[alterhase58]

Thank you for answering.

I have few more questions Im not certain.

1. Does a British referee must hold a passport
They do ask for passport number so I believe needs to hold a passport. An expired passport may also be ok as the number is on record.
2. Is providing work address instead of home address ever been and issue
No issue to my knowledge though if your work address is in a different council area they will assign your ceremony to that council.
3. I have not exceeded time abroad although is there an actual necessity to provide that I have not left the UK for more than 90 days in a year period.
There's no need to prove the absences - clearly they need to be as correct and truthful as possible.
4. I've also seen something about being present in the UK 5 years before on the day of application. Does these have to be proven?
The only thing I could think could be bank statements or payslips to cover that.
Again doesn't need to be proven but make sure you were not out of country on that date (shown as such on your list of absences).
5. What is the most common reason a referee is being refused.
Referees are not routinely rejected. They can ask for another referee but don't recall any reports of this over the past few years.

[vanir767]

Thank you.

If I have some more questions coming up as I advance through application I will post them here.

[vanir767]

1. Do I need to provide birth certificate at any point
Im using my passport as identification.
2. I will provide my home address and referee #1 work address and referee #2 home address would that cause any issue
3. A bit of stupid question but entering profession should enter Quality Manager of limited company or it doesnt really matter or just Quality Manager
4. Also another a bit trivial but answering how do they know is any form passable like
Former work colleague or We have met while working for the same Company/ We have met while sharing same house.

I know theyr small details but if someone can clarify it for me.

[alterhase58]

1. Do I need to provide birth certificate at any point No.
Im using my passport as identification. correct.
2. I will provide my home address and referee #1 work address and referee #2 home address would that cause any issue No.
3. A bit of stupid question but entering profession should enter Quality Manager of limited company or it doesnt really matter or just Quality Manager probably doesn't matter.
4. Also another a bit trivial but answering how do they know is any form passable like
Former work colleague or We have met while working for the same Company/ We have met while sharing same house. Just state the facts, like colleague, former colleague, etc. Not an issue.

I know theyr small details but if someone can clarify it for me.
Most applicants get quite worried about some of the details required but they are not trick questions to trip you up ....

[vanir767]

Thanks for quick and helpful answers.

When entering Parent One's details particularly in mother's family name, is it maiden name or current.

Also when entering referees address as workplace should I give company name or just street is enough.

Another one is Iv got like one ticket for speeding 20-30km over limit a thats was about 9 years ago, Im not sure if its relevant enough to include it and of top and dont remember the date of details anymore it would be more of a rough estimate

[AmazonianX]

Thanks for quick and helpful answers.

When entering Parent One's details particularly in mother's family name, is it maiden name or current. Except if this is different from others there is a place to state maiden name

Also when entering referees address as workplace should I give company name or just street is enough. If about the connection to your workplace, it hides nothing, state in full.

Another one is Iv got like one ticket for speeding 20-30km over limit a thats was about 9 years ago, Im not sure if its relevant enough to include it and of top and dont remember the date of details anymore it would be more of a rough estimate

[vanir676]

So I understand its current Family name, there is no question about Maiden's.

Its not my working address, its my referees.

Also I read that after ceremony once I am British citizen I must apply for British passport or right to abode.
As I was reading requirements for counter signatory I do not have anyone at the moment to pass the requirements. And right to abode is about 400£.
I don't understand like If after ceremony I have certificate and why can't just keep using my own passport to travel in and out of the country and maybe even apply for passport from a different country where I could meet different requirements easier.
I mean i applied for my first Polish passport in UK.
Am I misunderstanding something or I literally must get a British passport or right to abode to leave the country or enter. Like I said it would be actually easier for me to get a British passport abroad than within the UK.

[alterhase58]

There's no compulsion to apply for a British passport - lots of British people don't have passports.
But ... it will make it easier to enter the UK. Recommend you forget about the right of abode, why spend £300 when you can get a passport for around £80? Note that a British citizen doesn't have an immigration status, but has automatic right of abode in the UK. If you present a foreign passport UK Border Force will expect to see some kind of status, either visitor/visa or settled/ILR, or you have to carry your certificate and explain yourself.....

maybe even apply for passport from a different country where I could meet different requirements easier.

Not sure what you mean by this ... even if you apply for a British passport abroad you will have to use the gov.uk online application and send your documents to the UK.

[vanir676]

I have found that information in here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... Guide_.pdf
On page 26 there is this:
If you need to travel to and from the UK after being granted British citizenship you
must apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode,
to be placed in your foreign passport. Guidance on applying for a British passport
can be found on Gov.UK.

So then I checked how to apply for British passport and about counter signatory requirements:
Your countersignatory must:

have known you (or the adult who signed the form if the passport is for a child under 16) for at least 2 years
be able to identify you, for example they’re a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
be ‘a person of good standing in their community’ or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
If you’re applying in the UK
Your countersignatory must:
live in the UK
have a current British or Irish passport

If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.

If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.

Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.

Like I said before I would have no one within the UK who meets the requirements to be my countersignatory

But If I would apply from let's say from Poland I would have someone a signatory because of different requirement

Thats why Im getting a bit confused.

[vanir767]

After ceremony can I travel in and out of the UK on my Polish passport?

[Ticktack]

After ceremony can I travel in and out of the UK on my Polish passport?

Yes, you can travel anytime you want with your Polish passport, because you don't need a visa to enter the UK with it. If it does come to it, you can explain yourself at the boarder.

[vanir676]

At my appointment with UKVCAS to provide fingerprints and facial photograph, do I have to bring passport sized photos with me or will they do the photograph on site?

[vanir676]

Also when providing proof of living in the UK for the last 5 years are P60 from those years enough or should I bring more proofs.

[vanir676]

Also when providing proof of living in the UK for the last 5 years are P60 from those years enough or should I bring more proofs.

[alterhase58]

Also when providing proof of living in the UK for the last 5 years are P60 from those years enough or should I bring more proofs.

P60 for each year is fine - you don't need to provide multiple documents for proof - in my case I just had one letter from my employers at the time (OK, I worked for them for the whole five years) . You upload the scanned documents.

At my appointment with UKVCAS to provide fingerprints and facial photograph, do I have to bring passport sized photos with me or will they do the photograph on site?

They take the photo - no need to bring your own.

[vanir767]

Do I get the option to upload documents after submitting biometrics? I dont see it anywhere.
Also at the UKVCAS are they scanning the passport and supporting documents and uploading or just taking biometrics and than I can upload additional?
Thanks for the answers

[Ticktack]

Do I get the option to upload documents after submitting biometrics? I dont see it anywhere.
Also at the UKVCAS are they scanning the passport and supporting documents and uploading or just taking biometrics and than I can upload additional?
Thanks for the answers

Once you take your biometrics and it's submitted at the UKVAC, that's it! You can't add anymore files to the portal. Physically, you can but it doesn't get to them anymore.

[vanir767]

So I have to bring supporting documents P60s,refeeres declarations etc with me to UKVAC as they will be scanned on site and uploaded to my profile along with biomerics?
After that I cant upload anything more through the services right?

[Ticktack]

So I have to bring supporting documents P60s,refeeres declarations etc with me to UKVAC as they will be scanned on site and uploaded to my profile along with biomerics?You can scan and upload them yourself or you can use the paid for scanning service at the UKVAC. Entirely up to you.
After that I cant upload anything more through the services right?Already stated above!

[vanir767]

Thanks man
I got confused over the whole uploading stuff, I couldnt find it on the website with my naturalisation process. Im still collecting documents so I didnt book appointment yet.
Ok I get it now either scan on site for a fee or upload on UKVCAS after booking appointment through online services scaned docs.