Updated form AN and guidance.

Just noticed that there is a new form AN and guidance dated Feb 2018.

I haven't gone through it properly yet but at first glance, there's greater emphasis on the good character requirement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-naturalise-as-a-british-citizen-form-an

Just noticed that there is a new form AN and guidance dated Feb 2018.

I haven't gone through it properly yet but at first glance, there's greater emphasis on the good character requirement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-to-naturalise-as-a-british-citizen-form-an

How could there possibly be any greater emphasis?!  I thought that was virtually all this application cared about as it was!

Page 7, the language/LiUK requirement section, I don't see an option to tick for being from a listed English-speaking nation.  Am I just overlooking it?

How could there possibly be any greater emphasis?!  I thought that was virtually all this application cared about as it was!

They managed somehow!  .
I’ll look at it properly tomorrow, l’ve had enough for today having literally just finished filling out the old version! 

l’ve had enough for today having literally just finished filling out the old version! 

That happened to me with my second FLR(M)!  It's so annoying!

How could there possibly be any greater emphasis?!  I thought that was virtually all this application cared about as it was!

It's only recently (last few months or so) that it's become a big deal.

In the past, all you had to do to pass the Good Character Requirement was:
- have no unspent criminal convictions
- have paid your taxes if you work

Page 7, the language/LiUK requirement section, I don't see an option to tick for being from a listed English-speaking nation.  Am I just overlooking it?

That's random - I can't see it either. In the documents section though, it definitely mentions supplying your passport if you are a national of an English speaking country.

I guess you would either leave it blank or make a note on the page to say you are a US citizen.

That's random - I can't see it either. In the documents section though, it definitely mentions supplying your passport if you are a national of an English speaking country.

I guess you would either leave it blank or make a note on the page to say you are a US citizen.

Oh that’s even more annoying! Who wants to bet that I’ll just have filled out the new version when they pick that up and bring out yet another?!

Meantime I’ll just add national of a majority English speaking country.

While you're looking at things, for the criminal convictions section, there's a box with this in it:

We will carry out criminal record checks on all applicants. You must give details of all criminal convictions. This includes road traffic offences (including all drink driving offences).

Fixed Penalty Notices (such as speeding or parking tickets) do not form part of a person’s
criminal record and will not be considered in the caseworker’s assessment of character unless either:
• the person has failed to pay and there were criminal proceedings as a result
• the person has received numerous fixed penalty notices

Emphasis is mine.

So, does that mean we don't have to list speeding fines, but if they uncover a lot of them in the background check, they could refuse the application?  Or do we list them, but they won't count against us unless there are loads of 'em.  I really don't understand what they want me to do.

By the way, I have the Feb 2017 AN form on my computer and the Good Character Requirement section has not changed in any way. I also have the Jan 2016 AN form as well and the Good Character section is exactly the same on there too.

On all 3 forms (2016, 2017 and 2018), the Good Character Requirement section is 15 questions on 4 pages... they ask for criminal convictions, civil judgements/penalties and the standard Yes/No questions about terrorism.

While you're looking at things, for the criminal convictions section, there's a box with this in it:

Emphasis is mine.

So, does that mean we don't have to list speeding fines, but if they uncover a lot of them in the background check, they could refuse the application?  Or do we list them, but they won't count against us unless there are loads of 'em.  I really don't understand what they want me to do.

Read guide AN, skip to the good character page, it’s in more detail there but basically they do want you to include parking and speeding tickets and they want to know that you’re not a persistent offender.. they mention 3 or more tickets as being the number they will now consider.

By the way, I have the Feb 2017 AN form on my computer and the Good Character Requirement section has not changed in any way. I also have the Jan 2016 AN form as well and the Good Character section is exactly the same on there too.

On all 3 forms (2016, 2017 and 2018), the Good Character Requirement section is 15 questions on 4 pages... they ask for criminal convictions, civil judgements/penalties and the standard Yes/No questions about terrorism.

Guide AN has changed.

While you're looking at things, for the criminal convictions section, there's a box with this in it:

Emphasis is mine.

So, does that mean we don't have to list speeding fines, but if they uncover a lot of them in the background check, they could refuse the application?  Or do we list them, but they won't count against us unless there are loads of 'em.  I really don't understand what they want me to do.

Have you read the guidance for filling out the form?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/680277/an-guide-feb-18.pdf

It tells you exactly what to do:

3.1 - 3.2 You must give details of all criminal convictions both within and outside the United Kingdom. These include road traffic offences.

Fixed penalty notices (such as speeding or parking tickets) must be disclosed, although will not normally be taken into account unless:
• you have failed to pay and there were criminal proceedings as a result
• you received 3 or more fixed penalty notices at any level
• in the past 3 years you received 2 or more fixed penalty notices, at least one of which, was at the upper levels (fine of £200 or more)

Wow I just spent two months tracking down and getting together with my referees to sign the form and now I have to do it all over again!  And meantime the fee will probably go up again in April before I can do everything. So annoying. The visa office makes nothing easy do they.

Wow I just spent two months tracking down and getting together with my referees to sign the form and now I have to do it all over again!  And meantime the fee will probably go up again in April before I can do everything. So annoying. The visa office makes nothing easy do they.

This was only my experience and your experience might vary.

When I applied for citizenship, I'd had one referee sign my form month before. The form changed between them signing and me applying and they were in the US. Everything was exactly the same in the referee section besides the page number so I included the old form referee page and the new form for everything else (including the second referee). I applied through the council document checking service and explained the situation and they said it was fine. I received my citizenship with no issues.

If you can get them to sign it again, that'd be ideal, but if you can't, it might be worth applying through the document checking service so they can give you some reassurance.

I was hoping for that but the actual clauses have changed for referees so don’t think they would accept the old signatures. Also, my council charges the full amount when you call for the appointment and if you go there and have missing documents they will allow you to come back but they’ll charge something for another appointment so better to get new form signed again. Just so much more hassle for citizenship after all the pain of the visas.

I was hoping for that but the actual clauses have changed for referees so don’t think they would accept the old signatures. Also, my council charges the full amount when you call for the appointment and if you go there and have missing documents they will allow you to come back but they’ll charge something for another appointment so better to get new form signed again. Just so much more hassle for citizenship after all the pain of the visas.

It is a hassle, but remember this is the last hurdle. Once you're done with this, you'll be clear of UK visa regulations (and fee increases) forever. You're on the home stretch now!