Citizenship application questions / debts / referees?

Hi UKY folks,

I've just received my ILR approval email and am now waiting for my BRP to arrive. I'm looking over the citizenship application information and trying to prepare myself to take that one as soon as I can.

I see that as a self-employed person, I'll need to dig up my Self-Assessment statement to send along. I haven't yet filed for this past year but plan to do so soon. (I was on maternity for much of 2020, so the income might appear lower than the previous year...)

>> Q: Would it be better to wait until after I complete this year's to apply?

I was looking through additional advice and I see an entire section on debt as a possible consideration for 'good character'. My husband and I have compiled a fairly significant amount of credit card debt that we've managed to make a series of payments toward very recently by virtue of some assets I pulled over from the US in order to pay. I'm worried this accumulation (and subsequent quick payoff) will affect my application.

>> Q: Would it be better to wait say, 6 months or so, after I have made the significant payments/clearing of those debts before applying?

I can't seem to dig up information on supplying 2 referees, but I thought that was part of this whole deal? Or has that changed?

>> Q: Do referees still need to fit into that long list of very specific jobs?

Thank you for all your help and guidance over the years. I seriously would've been so lost without this group!

>> Q: Would it be better to wait until after I complete this year's to apply?

I was looking through additional advice and I see an entire section on debt as a possible consideration for 'good character'. My husband and I have compiled a fairly significant amount of credit card debt that we've managed to make a series of payments toward very recently by virtue of some assets I pulled over from the US in order to pay. I'm worried this accumulation (and subsequent quick payoff) will affect my application.

>> Q: Would it be better to wait say, 6 months or so, after I have made the significant payments/clearing of those debts before applying?

>> Q: Do referees still need to fit into that long list of very specific jobs?

1) the debt question is *really* a bankruptcy/serious delinquency question. It doesn't really matter if you have a lot of debt, so long as you are making the payments. If you're in good standing with all of your debts, you should be fine.

2) Nah, won't make a difference to wait.

3) Yeah - it's a tough list, stick to it though.

Actually, as long as the person is a professional, think member of a professional body, you can use them, the list is not exhaustive.

Agree with crimson about the debt. As long as you are making at least minimum payments on time, you should be fine.

Thank you so much!


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I used an architect who is originally from Portugal for my professional person. I don't even think that's  a profession on the list, but he's a licensed architect, and it was fine. The confusing part for me is that your professional or licensed person does NOT have to be a UK citizen. It can be someone know from the US or another part of the world.