Referee declaration forms

[skyfire165]

Hi,

as you all know, it's the 22nd of August but I had initially planned a one full month holiday for all of September which begins in the 29th August. I am applying for British citizenship and passport.

I recently passed the Life in the UK test and I have had ILR with Indian passport for nearly 10 years. I am planning to not use a third party agency for my application, so I am applying by myself online. In the online application, I am still at the part where I have to fill details for e.g. two referees, etc. but I can see that the next part is for documents and I have no details of which documents they will ask me to send along with my online application.

My worry is, I heard that the BRP and passports will inevitably have to be scanned and sent to them. I have never done a BRP, but from what I understand, once I do submit this citizenship application I will be asked instantly to book an appointment with UKVCAS who will then take my BRP and send it to the HO, along with my passport copy which should mean I will be able to keep my passport?

My two concerns are 1) Is everything I have said so far right? Will I be able to keep my passport so I can go on this holiday for a month?

2) Will anything else pop up from the HO asking for anymore documents or information, as I will be away from the UK for September and potentially will not be able to accommodate. Will there be a timeline on these things for e.g. do it within 1 week or application is cancelled?

[CR001]

I am applying for British citizenship and passport.

You cannot apply for both at the same time.

I am planning to not use a third party agency for my application, so I am applying by myself online.

Not sure what 'third party agency' you are referring to. But if you apply online, you have to make an appointment at UKCVAS Sopra Steria for biometrics and document check. You cannot apply by post.

In the online application, I am still at the part where I have to fill details for e.g. two referees, etc. but I can see that the next part is for documents and I have no details of which documents they will ask me to send along with my online application.

You will get a checklist telling you what is needed.

My worry is, I heard that the BRP and passports will inevitably have to be scanned and sent to them. I have never done a BRP, but from what I understand, once I do submit this citizenship application I will be asked instantly to book an appointment with UKVCAS who will then take my BRP and send it to the HO, along with my passport copy which should mean I will be able to keep my passport?

No original documents are submitted anymore.

Will I be able to keep my passport so I can go on this holiday for a month?

Yes.

2) Will anything else pop up from the HO asking for anymore documents or information, as I will be away from the UK for September and potentially will not be able to accommodate. Will there be a timeline on these things for e.g. do it within 1 week or application is cancelled?

HO can ask for anything after you have applied. Members have been asked to send original passports or other documents depending on their circumstances. You usually have a short timeframe to send anything IF you are asked by HO to send them.

Make sure that you were physically present in the UK on the same date 5 years ago as the date you submit and pay online.

[skyfire165]

You cannot apply for both at the same time.

Sorry I should clarify, the citizenship first and then the passport.

Not sure what 'third party agency' you are referring to. But if you apply online, you have to make an appointment at UKCVAS Sopra Steria for biometrics and document check. You cannot apply by post.

Maybe I did not use the right term, but immigration firms who help you throughout the whole application process to increase chances of acceptance. I will not be using them and apply directly.

HO can ask for anything after you have applied. Members have been asked to send original passports or other documents depending on their circumstances. You usually have a short timeframe to send anything IF you are asked by HO to send them.

This is after I give my BRP and any other additional document scans through UKVCAS, if they ask for anything extra? This is my fear if I am not in the UK for that, I might potentially miss the deadline.

Make sure that you were physically present in the UK on the same date 5 years ago as the date you submit and pay online.

Sorry I don't understand this, on the same date as the application submission 5 years ago? I will have some trouble to see if I was here 5 years ago as I might have gone on a few weeks holiday. And paying online is the only option for an online application.

Thanks for your very helpful advice!

[CR001]

Not sure what 'third party agency' you are referring to. But if you apply online, you have to make an appointment at UKCVAS Sopra Steria for biometrics and document check. You cannot apply by post.

Maybe I did not use the right term, but immigration firms who help you throughout the whole application process to increase chances of acceptance. I will not be using them and apply directly.

Immigration firms have NO influence or bearing on your citizenship application. You simply have to meet the requirements and if you don't you will be refused regardless of using one or not.

HO can ask for anything after you have applied. Members have been asked to send original passports or other documents depending on their circumstances. You usually have a short timeframe to send anything IF you are asked by HO to send them.

This is after I give my BRP and any other additional document scans through UKVCAS, if they ask for anything extra? This is my fear if I am not in the UK for that, I might potentially miss the deadline.

It is a risk you take. HO does not always ask for stuff. I suggest try to get someone to keep an eye on your post.

Make sure that you were physically present in the UK on the same date 5 years ago as the date you submit and pay online.

Sorry I don't understand this, on the same date as the application submission 5 years ago? I will have some trouble to see if I was here 5 years ago as I might have gone on a few weeks holiday. And paying online is the only option for an online application.

There is a mandatory requirement to be physically present in the UK at the start of the 5 year qualifying period. If you were not, your application could be refused. This includes any holidays or business travel out of the UK. So if you apply today for example, you must have been physically present in the on the same date in 2014. As you have to complete all your absences in the form, you will know if you were here or not.

You can only pay online when you submit. There is no other way to pay.

[skyfire165]

CR001 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:25 pm
HO can ask for anything after you have applied. Members have been asked to send original passports or other documents depending on their circumstances. You usually have a short timeframe to send anything IF you are asked by HO to send them.
This is after I give my BRP and any other additional document scans through UKVCAS, if they ask for anything extra? This is my fear if I am not in the UK for that, I might potentially miss the deadline.
It is a risk you take. HO does not always ask for stuff. I suggest try to get someone to keep an eye on your post.

Could there be another way to set it so you can be notified of any documents request or updated to my application through e-mail, or by phone at least?

CR001 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:25 pm
Make sure that you were physically present in the UK on the same date 5 years ago as the date you submit and pay online.
Sorry I don't understand this, on the same date as the application submission 5 years ago? I will have some trouble to see if I was here 5 years ago as I might have gone on a few weeks holiday. And paying online is the only option for an online application.
There is a mandatory requirement to be physically present in the UK at the start of the 5 year qualifying period. If you were not, your application could be refused. This includes any holidays or business travel out of the UK. So if you apply today for example, you must have been physically present in the on the same date in 2014. As you have to complete all your absences in the form, you will know if you were here or not.

Could you link me to this 5 year qualifying period please? I have had ILR since 2011 but only just now decided to apply for citizenship.

Thanks!

[skyfire165]

I guess my final question:

I get in contact with UKVCAS only after I submit my application? Nothing to do with them until then?

Thanks

[CR001]

CR001 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:25 pm
HO can ask for anything after you have applied. Members have been asked to send original passports or other documents depending on their circumstances. You usually have a short timeframe to send anything IF you are asked by HO to send them.
This is after I give my BRP and any other additional document scans through UKVCAS, if they ask for anything extra? This is my fear if I am not in the UK for that, I might potentially miss the deadline.
It is a risk you take. HO does not always ask for stuff. I suggest try to get someone to keep an eye on your post.

Could there be another way to set it so you can be notified of any documents request or updated to my application through e-mail, or by phone at least?

No. HO might email you, they might not and write to you instead. You cannot choose a method of communication.

CR001 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:25 pm
Make sure that you were physically present in the UK on the same date 5 years ago as the date you submit and pay online.
Sorry I don't understand this, on the same date as the application submission 5 years ago? I will have some trouble to see if I was here 5 years ago as I might have gone on a few weeks holiday. And paying online is the only option for an online application.
There is a mandatory requirement to be physically present in the UK at the start of the 5 year qualifying period. If you were not, your application could be refused. This includes any holidays or business travel out of the UK. So if you apply today for example, you must have been physically present in the on the same date in 2014. As you have to complete all your absences in the form, you will know if you were here or not.

Could you link me to this 5 year qualifying period please? I have had ILR since 2011 but only just now decided to apply for citizenship.

You will also likely have to submit evidence that you have been resident in the UK since ILR to prove your ILR has not lapsed due to a 2 year absence.

See the form AN guidance notes below, page 6 on the residence requirements.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ooklet.pdf

I get in contact with UKVCAS only after I submit my application? Nothing to do with them until then?

Correct yes. The online process will tell you what to do.

[skyfire165]

Thank you very much for all the information and help. This has cleared so many things up for me.

[skyfire165]

Hi,

I submitted my online application for British citizenship and I have an appointment with UKVCAS tomorrow.

I was given a referee declaration form to download, but I have a few questions regarding this form:

Is this form supposed to be given at the appointment double-sided or single-sided, or does not matter? Because I had printed it single-sided with two pages for each referee.. which means my applicant photo will not be on the same page as the referee signature unless I was to staple the two papers together.

And for the photo, can it just be any passport-style photo which I can get from any passport photo taking shops?

Thanks,

sorry if anything is unclear, it's because i'm under stress and i only have today to get all the documents ready for the appointment tomorrow