Citizenship process

Hiya! Been a while since I've posted but like so many folks on here I'm gunna start my citizenship process – mostly because it needed to be done but also my budget can't afford if it goes up in price again[smiley=bigcry.gif] I want to send in my application in Dec/Jan because it will be a relatively dead time for me professionally so I can focus my energy on this and applying for new jobs.

Looking at the documents online and posts on here, it seems fairly straight forward.

I need:

• Proof of identity:  passport (current and my previous one, which is the one I first entered the UK in)
  
• Proof of status: marriage certificate
• Evidence I passed the Life in the UK test: I still have that reference number that I put on my ILR application
• Proof of knowledge of English: American citizen
• Evidence that shows I was lawfully resident in the UK for required time period: ILR/passport with entry date?
• Periods of absence from the UK during qualifying period: My only absence will be an upcoming hols to the US for 3 weeks.
• Proof I hold ILR - my brp with the reference numbers on itBe of good character: I got a speeding ticket 10+ years ago in the US but it was dismissed so I think I should be fine.
• Have 2 referees. Both hold British passports, are over 25 and are journalists which are on the professional standing list from the gov website
• Need to get biometrics done and passport size pics for this application

Just a small question. It says on the referee guidance that you need to have known your two referees for at least 3 years. In December, I will have known one of them for like 2 years and 11 months because we met in early Jan. Is that okay or should I just wait until January to get everything done?

It needs to be the full three years. They will be signing to that effect.

It needs to be the full three years. They will be signing to that effect.

Thank you! I figured, but always want to check I'll wait to submit everything until we reach that 3-year mark for both then

Just another random question, can I get a new job while waiting for my citizenship decision?

A tldr, I wanted to wait until after my citizenship decision to get a new job, but the situation has gotten worse at my workplace and has become quite toxic. So I think it would be better for my mental and physical health if I left sooner rather than later, which means there could be a possibility that I start a new job after hitting send on my citizenship application.

I can't see anything from my research that says I can't switch jobs while waiting for a citizenship application, but I also couldn't find anything that said 'hey don't do that because this piece of the application would be messed up and then it would be rejected'.

So again, thought it better to ask those much wiser than I in this area before I do anything.

Just another random question, can I get a new job while waiting for my citizenship decision?

A tldr, I wanted to wait until after my citizenship decision to get a new job, but the situation has gotten worse at my workplace and has become quite toxic. So I think it would be better for my mental and physical health if I left sooner rather than later, which means there could be a possibility that I start a new job after hitting send on my citizenship application.

I can't see anything from my research that says I can't switch jobs while waiting for a citizenship application, but I also couldn't find anything that said 'hey don't do that because this piece of the application would be messed up and then it would be rejected'.

So again, thought it better to ask those much wiser than I in this area before I do anything.

You're free to ahead and get a new job.    You have ILR already and there is no earning/savings requirement for citizenship.

You're free to ahead and get a new job.    You have ILR already and there is no earning/savings requirement for citizenship.

Thank you!!!! This was exactly what I thought, but doing the visas and the ILR has really got me second guessing absolutely everything when it comes to this final step  at least now I can try to make my situation better before filing stuff with the gov and starting that waiting game

Thank you!!!! This was exactly what I thought, but doing the visas and the ILR has really got me second guessing absolutely everything when it comes to this final step  at least now I can try to make my situation better before filing stuff with the gov and starting that waiting game

It actually takes a while to shake that feeling off. It took me ages to stop thinking of everything in terms of visas.

It actually takes a while to shake that feeling off. It took me ages to stop thinking of everything in terms of visas.

It has taken me so long to break the habit of hoarding absolutely every bill that comes in the post and I still catch myself wondering when bank stuff will come in because I might need it for visas 

It has taken me so long to break the habit of hoarding absolutely every bill that comes in the post and I still catch myself wondering when bank stuff will come in because I might need it for visas 

Right?! 

It actually takes a while to shake that feeling off. It took me ages to stop thinking of everything in terms of visas.

I'm already on the dole, me.  🤣🤣 j/k

I'm already on the dole, me.  🤣🤣 j/k

For those immigrants in the UK lawfully and who have been contributing to the UK (working) for the two previous tax years, there is no waiting for ILR to go on the dole. Contribution Based welfare benefits are not Public Funds. This playing havoc with your (non-state) pension contributions and the loss of health insurance is another thing.

Those on Contribution Based JSA get the better, Type 1 NIC Credit.

In the White Paper earlier in the year with the new welfare changes, the government added they are committed to Contribution Based welfare benefits (no changes for those who have contributed).

Althouugh it is still better of course, to take out insurance for any potential job loss or sickness: more money and no welfare hoops to keep jumping through.

Tis moi again! I didn't want to start a whole new thread. I'm completely fine timeline wise with my referees now so I'm actually filling out the form while I have the £££ to give the gov 

Two questions:

As part of the 'where have you lived in the UK in the last five years' questions, I can remember the month I moved into my first flat back in 2015 (yes I had to go back because we moved quite a lot in late 2019-2022), but I can't remember the exact day. I honestly can't find the old tenancy agreement so I'm mystified what to put beyond '12/2015'. Do you reckon it's okay to put 01/12/2015?

Second, and I feel very stupid, when it asks for my mum's 'family name', does it mean her maiden or married surname? I put maiden but thought I'd double check because honestly my brain is second guessing everything – though I feel like this is all much more straightforward than I'm making it out to be

Bumping because I still have q's that I raised before, but also new ones:

"Previous applications: Have you made any previous UK immigration applications in the UK or abroad?"

Yes? Because I did my previous visas

At the beginning of the application, you have to put in the area where you think you'll do your ceremony. I put the city I'm currently living in, but I may be moving in a couple of months and idk where at the moment because it all depends on jobs etc etc. So should I keep the city I put in initially or could I change the area when I actually need to book the ceremony?

Sorry, I don't have an answer but I have the same Q about mothers family name, so commenting to follow!

Second, and I feel very stupid, when it asks for my mum's 'family name', does it mean her maiden or married surname? I put maiden but thought I'd double check because honestly my brain is second guessing everything – though I feel like this is all much more straightforward than I'm making it out to be

Mother's family name is her maiden surname.