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I am preparing my application for British Citizenship and seek clarification on the referee requirements as set out in Guide AN.

My proposed professional referee is a solicitor and partner at a London law firm. She has known me in a professional capacity for over six years and is willing to act as my referee. However, we are not personal friends.

Could you please confirm that a professional relationship of this kind is sufficient to meet the requirement, and that a personal friendship is not obligatory?

For completeness, my second referee is a friend who has known me personally for over five years.

Thank you for your assistance.

A referee doesn't need to be a close friend/confidante.
In my case I grabbed two (close) colleagues in finance and got them to sign. They knew me for years, acquaintances basically.
No issue.

They dont have to be your friend. It simply needs to be someone who has known you for at least 3 years.