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Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:24 am
by eversmann
Can I put down the husband of a distant cousin as a referee?
Otherwise it's a bit of a hassle to go and get the signature of someone who has known me for more than 3 years. it maybe a silly question, but want to be absolutely sure (more for the sake of the referee than myself).
Thanks you.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:36 am
by aman90
I think only immediate family members cannot act as a referee.. a distant cousin should be fine.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:40 am
by London333
This is what a moderator said in June about this on this forum when someone was asking about a mum's first cousin to be used as referee: "Any relative by/through blood or through marriage is a family member and can't be used."
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:43 am
by eversmann
I didn't think it was such a big deal.
Technically, even if the distant cousin is a relative, her husband (who i am putting as referee) is okay is what i thought? would really appreciate for a senior member to confirm this.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:45 am
by CR001
eversmann wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:43 am
I didn't think it was such a big deal.
Technically, even if the distant cousin is a relative, her husband (who i am putting as referee) is okay is what i thought? would really appreciate for a senior member to confirm this.
You cannot use any person who is a relative, either through the blood line or through marriage to a blood line relative. Find another referee.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:49 am
by eversmann
Okay, Thanks for confirming.
in that case, I am looking to put down a church minister - but he has only known us for about 2.5 years, since we moved to our current house. Is this also not okay?
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:55 am
by CR001
The church minister should be ok. If HO is not happy, then they will write to you and ask for another referee, which will cause an avoidable delay.
Is there absolutely no one on the list of the professional referees that you know that meets the requirement?? A friend who is a director or manager of a limited company for example??
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:11 am
by eversmann
1st referee is a friend, who is also a qualified accountant and known me for more than 5 years.
it's the 2nd referee, i seem to be having an issue with (cousins husband, or minister i mentioned earlier).
In the declaration they have to sign, there is nothing about "known you for more than 3 years", it's only in the online form.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:13 am
by CR001
The 3 years to have known you is clearly mentioned in HO documents.
You only need ONE professional referee, so why not use your accountant friend for that and find another British person over 25 as your non professional referee.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:24 am
by eversmann
Will do that. Thank you very much for clarification.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 5:36 pm
by aman90
eversmann wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:43 am
I didn't think it was such a big deal.
Technically, even if the distant cousin is a relative, her husband (who i am putting as referee) is okay is what i thought? would really appreciate for a senior member to confirm this.
I’d be comfortable using such a referee but it’s ur application so it’s ur risk.
Birth= parents, siblings, children, grand parents, grand children.
Marriage= spouse, in laws..
The above is hardly a relative more likely a family friend.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 5:38 pm
by eversmann
Thanks,
I've asked another friend just to be safe.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:18 pm
by eversmann
I submitted the online form for naturalization last friday, and i am a bit confused by the below email i received today. the earliest UKVCAS appointment i could get is October 10th. So I haven't even uploaded anything yet...
Can someone clarify what this means?
p.s. I went for the ILR only a couple of weeks ago, and got the approval same day. I cross checked the case id in the approval letter, which is not the same as the one in this email. But pretty much everything they are asking for was included as part of the ILR application.
Dear xxxx,
Case ID: xxxx
Thank you for your application to the Home Office. Your application has been received and is being considered.
It may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. If we are unable to process your application within six months we will tell you as soon as possible.
Our web page contains further information on our service standards and other information which may relate to your application.
Please note that this is an automated response confirming receipt of your application and does not accept responses. Please do not reply to this email.
If there is a change in your circumstances, we kindly ask that you only contact us using this link:
https://www.gov.uk/change-circumstances-visa-brp
Permanent migration team
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:26 pm
by CR001
Fairly obvious that it is an auto generic email, as it very clearly states!!
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:31 pm
by eversmann
For sure. But I am trying to understand what triggers this automated e-mail?
Does it mean they've received my file and a new case id has been assigned?
and I am still expected to attend the UKVCAS appointment?
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:37 pm
by aman90
Yes. You paid and have submitted the application to HO hence the acknowledgement. The application will not be considered valid till biometrics. You will not receive an email after UKVCAS appointment. Try to understand the difference.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:50 pm
by eversmann
Understood. Thanks for clarifying.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:55 pm
by eversmann
Could you please clarify a couple of other things.
"prove you were in the UK exactly 3 years before the day the Home Office receives your application"
So, this would be the date on which I submitted the application (aka HO received the application), and not the UKVCAS/Biometric appointment date. Please correct if i am wrong.
Also, am I free to travel after providing biometrics and not worry about 90 day per year restrictions after this?
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:11 pm
by CR001
1. Yes, the date you submit and pay online.
2. Free to travel yes.
Re: Referees - clarification on "Relative"
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:28 pm
by eversmann
Great. Thanks!