Immigrationboards.com

Hi, I'm in the process of applying for British citizenship and I realise I cannot send my passport with my application as I will be travelling with it (my only passport) soon to see my family abroad (outside the European union). I read on the home office website that there are ways around it, for example submitting a letter from my employer and government letters. As I'm married to a British national I know I need to prove residing in the UK backdated 3 years. What would the employer letter have to say? And what sort of government etters are they referring to? Can someone please confirm that my application can still be successful without sending in my passport?

The other question is about the two referees. I've got two, one resides abroad. I've got their details logged on the application. I see on the document ticking list deceleration from the two referees. Is that mandatory or could I leave it to the home office to get in touch with the referees? If I do need to send something in, is there an official form? As ever, I never seem to find the information I need when processing immigration applications so any knowledge from users will be kindly appreciated.

Many thanks, Shlomi

1. You upload scans of all documents, including your passport, therefore you are free to travel. Not sure about the "way round" - do you understand the requirements? Letters, etc are not required. For residency the copy of your passport is sufficient for ILR holders.
2. Referees fill in a form, they don't write a character reference. Get them to fill in the form and return to you for uploading. Don't assume UKVI will help, the applicant has to do all the legwork.
Referee form: https://www.immigrationboards.com/refer ... 39783.html
Note the form is the same for adults and children.

1."For residency the copy of your passport is sufficient for ILR holders". I am applying for citizenship (naturalisation) not residency. Is your statement still valid? I'm not sure how come you're saying I don't need letters from employer and government post letters for the past 3 years to prove I have been in living in the country as I can clearly read this on the guidelines on the home office website. Can you please clarify?

2. Can this form be done entirely digitally including my attached passport photo and the referee signature?

Thanks for bearing with me...

1. A copy of the stamped pages of the passport for the qualifying period is the proof of residency/absences. If you don't get stamps on your passport e.g. you're an EU citizen, P60 forms of the period can be used. Employment or government letters are not required, not sure where you're reading this.

2. Yes, everything is submitted online, including the referee forms. No need to submit the original passport for a naturalisation application.

Hi again guys and thank you for your time.

My passport has all the stamps from the last 3 years so that's good. As to your question where I'm getting the info about employers letter etc here are screenshots from the document section of the application where I highlighted their wording of what is required for a non-EEA national. And there are contradictions there as well, as they say you need to provide the original passport and at the very bottom it says you do not need to send any physical documents unless asked to do so. The employer bit is highlighted in green.

Can you please explain how you believe copies will not be rejected and what are they actually saying? [attachment=1]Screenshot_20250605-131102.png[/attachment][attachment=0]Screenshot_20250605-131416.png[/attachment]

How to say, HO too lazy to change that wording. Do not worry about those highlights. All documents are uploaded digitally so they are all copies

Shlumaan wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 05, 2025 1:19 pm

Can you please explain how you believe copies will not be rejected and what are they actually saying?

I think there's a combination of ambiguity in the HO wording - which is something that has been extensively discussed in this forum and probably a separate topic - and your misunderstanding of the instructions.

The form is clearly saying that no need to send physical documents, and if for any reason a physical document is required to process the application, the Home Office will tell you - after they asses your submitted application.

Many of us have done this process before and the stamped pages on your passport for the qualifying period (3 or 5 years) is the only thing you need as proof of residency for a naturalisation application. Everything is submitted online.

You guys are so amazing. I got all my answers within a few hours. I've sent one question to the HO email address. I wonder how long before I get a response... Thank you ill be in touch if any further ambiguities.

Hi again sorry I've just paid for the application and reached the 'further actions' where I need to download the referees forms. But they're saying I must book an appointment to bring along the evidence and for biometrics to be taken. I'm attaching a screen shot. I can't see any option to submit all documents online, can you clarify?

Your attachment has been removed. Please do not post attachments that contain identifiable details such as full names and applicaiton reference numbers.

You book the appointment and then upload the documents on the portal as far as I understand.

Oh sorry about that. Can someone else confirm that once I book the appointment it is not an actual face to face but rather and online portal to upload the docs? Thank you

You can upload documents in advance of the appointment. Uploading yourself is free. The appointment is only for providing biometrics, in person. There’s no review of your application or documents. You can book the upload with the appointment, a chargeable service.

Thank you for clarifying. Hopefully will go smoothly.