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Hi, Im new to the forum. I am planning to apply for the British Citizenship. I have been living in the UK for over 6 years now and i think i meet all the requirements however i have one concern regarding the referees, especially the professional referee. I read the guidance notes regarding the referees but i didnt see any statement saying that the referees must know the applicant for 3 years. Does the referee must know me for 3 years? I don't really know anyone of a professional standing who knows me for that long. I was considering my college lecturer to act as a referee but she knows me for maybe around 2 years and im leaving college this year. Would it be acceptable to have her as a referee of professional standing even though she doesnt know me for 3 years? The other referee i don't worry about because i have a friend who is a british citizen and knows me for a long time.

Unfortunately both of your referees must have known you for at least 3 years.
It is allowed get a professional from your home country to act as a referee if you can't find anyone here.

Both should declare that:-
Affix passport size photo See page 11 of the guide
• they are not a relative, solicitor or agent of the applicant, or related to the other referee;
• they are not employed by the Home Office;
• they have not been convicted of an imprisonable offence (unless that conviction can be disregarded in line
with the table shown on page 16 of the Booklet AN);
• they have known the applicant personally for more than 3 years;

JP2 wrote:Hi, Im new to the forum. I am planning to apply for the British Citizenship. I have been living in the UK for over 6 years now and i think i meet all the requirements however i have one concern regarding the referees, especially the professional referee. I read the guidance notes regarding the referees but i didnt see any statement saying that the referees must know the applicant for 3 years. Does the referee must know me for 3 years? I don't really know anyone of a professional standing who knows me for that long. I was considering my college lecturer to act as a referee but she knows me for maybe around 2 years and im leaving college this year. Would it be acceptable to have her as a referee of professional standing even though she doesnt know me for 3 years? The other referee i don't worry about because i have a friend who is a british citizen and knows me for a long time.

So by the end of year, that might be three years? Then you could use her reference.

Hi,

I am applying for my daughter MN1 under section 1 (3) and I am really struggling to get the professional reference.
My GP is happy to provide the reference, but she is not a British citizenship.
Please let me know whether they will consider my GBP reference as a professional reference

Thanks!

Yes GP would be fine with non British status. As the professional referee does not need to be a British passport holder.

kandasamy wrote:Hi,

I am applying for my daughter MN1 under section 1 (3) and I am really struggling to get the professional reference.
My GP is happy to provide the reference, but she is not a British citizenship.
Please let me know whether they will consider my GBP reference as a professional reference

Thanks!

The professional referee does not have to be BC.