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Topic: Citizenship Question  (Read 627 times)

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Citizenship Question
« on: February 27, 2015, 05:26:12 PM »
On the citizenship application form it says that my referees must know me personally. Does that mean personally like 'by physical presence' or personally like 'through personal knowledge'? Do you think it's OK if a referee is someone I only know online, if they are a UK citizen and I have known them for more than 3 years, have talked to them on Skype, etc.? Thanks for any help!
« Last Edit: February 28, 2015, 07:49:55 PM by JayDeeCW »


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2015, 02:54:28 PM »
Regardless of the answer, why risk it?

I haven't read all of your posts, but it looks like you live and work in the UK. Surely you know someone in the UK who can be your referee so that you don't have to rely on Skype-only acquaintances.


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2015, 02:13:23 PM »
Thanks for your reply. :) I do live and work in the UK, but I don't have any long in-person friendships with people other than relatives. There are people I have sort of vaguely known for 3+ years (e.g. sister-in-law's boyfriend) but I don't think any of them know me well enough that I'd feel comfortable having them as my reference, and it feels like it would be misleading to UKVI to use people like that as a reference.

My thinking is that perhaps a UK citizen who knows me very well through the internet would be a better reference than someone who hardly knows me at all in person.

I guess my question may actually be (and I doubt anybody knows the answer to this, since government chooses to be opaque), how well should a referee know the applicant?
« Last Edit: March 09, 2015, 02:31:09 PM by JayDeeCW »


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 03:18:11 PM »
It says the referee has to have known you personally for three years.  I may be wrong but I would take "personally" to mean "in person".  As there is a fine for misrepresentation your chosen referee may not want to have his/her name put forward.
>^.^<
Married and moved to UK 1974
Returned to US 1995
Irish citizenship June 2009
    Irish passport September 2009 
Retirement July 2012
Leeds in 2013!
ILR (Long Residence) 22 March 2016


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2015, 03:50:45 PM »
If the referee is contacted, their only job is to confirm your identity and that they've known you for at least 3 years. They aren't character references or anything, and they don't have to be friends; it could be a co-worker or boss from a past job, a neighbour, anyone really. I wouldn't risk having someone I didn't know in person. If you're really struggling, could you find a way of meeting your Skype friend in person before you apply?
Arrived as student 9/2003; Renewed student visa 9/2006; Applied for HSMP approval 1/2008; HSMP approved 3/2008; Tier 1 General FLR received 4/2008; FLR(M) Unmarried partner approved (in-person) 27/8/2009; ILR granted at in-person PEO appointment 1/8/2011; Applied for citizenship at Edinburgh NCS 31/10/2011; Citizenship approval received 4/2/2012
FINALLY A CITIZEN! 29/2/2012


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2015, 01:59:10 PM »
Thanks for your reply. :) I can definitely find plenty of people I've been acquainted with for at least 3 years, but are you sure that's all it is? This being a citizenship application, it seems like they'd be looking for more than 'this person is who he says he is'.


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Re: Citizenship Question
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2015, 02:02:12 PM »
I've never even heard of referees being contacted at all, but here's what the official guidance says (emphasis mine):
Quote
All applicants, except those seeking to renounce British nationality, are asked to provide two referees so that we can be satisfied about a person's identity. We would not routinely contact referees, but may do so on the authority of a senior caseworker if this could resolve any concerns about the application.
Arrived as student 9/2003; Renewed student visa 9/2006; Applied for HSMP approval 1/2008; HSMP approved 3/2008; Tier 1 General FLR received 4/2008; FLR(M) Unmarried partner approved (in-person) 27/8/2009; ILR granted at in-person PEO appointment 1/8/2011; Applied for citizenship at Edinburgh NCS 31/10/2011; Citizenship approval received 4/2/2012
FINALLY A CITIZEN! 29/2/2012


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