Applying as a spouse of British citizen

[aleksandra914]

Hi everyone, I applied as a spouse of a British citizen and I'm a bit confused having completed the application that it didn't really ask questions about my settled status (I've had it since 2019) except for the small question about any previous UK immigration applications - it didn't explicitly ask if I had been granted it etc, is this normal?

Also, there was another question underneath "do you have any other details that you would like to be considered regarding this applicant and their application to be registered as a British citizen" - I replied No to this, is this a standard response? I have provided my EUSS reference number and date further in the application and I will upload the IRL letter as evidence.

I'm really nervous now that I got something wrong so any advice would be appreciated and thank you in advance!

[contorted_svy]

All is OK. You provided everything you needed to, I don't see an issue with your answers. Have you uploaded the EUSS letter/BRC? You can do so for peace of mind.

[aleksandra914]

That's great to hear, thank you!

I haven't uploaded the documents yet as my biometrics appointment is a few weeks away, but I was going to upload the EUSS letter from 2019 as evidence alongside everything else (passports, marriage certificate and residence evidence).

I was surprised how light the application was on the IRL/EUSS topic.

[alterhase58]

I was surprised how light the application was on the IRL/EUSS topic.

Naturalisation isn't just another immigration application - it's separate from immigration rules with it's own rules and requirements which are indeed very light on documentation and generally straightforward.
Good luck!

[aleksandra914]

Thank you!

One other thing I've been wondering about is job titles of my referees (sorry if this should be a separate topic) - both are chartered accountants and this is what I put down as their occupation, but their actual job titles are different (it's a mouthful so not enough space in the relevant box and there is no word accountant in the name).

They were both happy with it when they signed the forms etc but I'm wondering whether I should include a cover note stating their full "official" job titles and adding they are members of the professional body hence use of the chartered accountant title in the application?

[alterhase58]

In the first place those referees are "Chartered Accountants" that's their profession.
Their official job title is not relevant and won't mean much to UKVI. From personal experience as a chartered professional I used my profession title, rather than the fancy job title given to me by my employers.
You don't need to add cover notes or any explanations - they know what they are looking for, and chartered accountants are a well-known profession. No issue at all.

[aleksandra914]

Thank you alterhase58!

One other thing I find a bit confusing is around application route - I've seen some example on this forum when people who are spouses of BC wanted to apply via 5 year route. I didn't realise it's possible given that the application doesn't ask at any point explicitly "do you want to apply in your own right or as a spouse". I started my application a year before applying and can't remember whether I clicked the link in "apply if your spouse is a BC" or "apply if you have an IRL" section of guidance on gov.uk (I think it was the former but not 100% sure) but I think in either case it redirects you to the same website and the online application is identical?

It got me panicking whether I did something wrong since the only questions related to 3/5yr route topic were whether you are currently married/in civil partnership and then nationality of the current partner. My document checklist after submitting does list marriage certificate and spouse's British passport as required documents so do UKVI assume that you apply as a spouse if you're married to BC unless stated otherwise?

Sorry if it's a silly question, I find the whole process quite stressful! I've not submitted documents yet so I still have a chance to explain any errors in covering letter.

[alterhase58]

Don't worry ....
There is no option to selected for 3 or 5 years "route".
For 3 years spouse of BC you have to supply fewer residency documents (as applicable) and proof that spouse is a British citizen (passport or naturalisation/marriage certificate).

[contorted_svy]

Thank you alterhase58!

One other thing I find a bit confusing is around application route - I've seen some example on this forum when people who are spouses of BC wanted to apply via 5 year route. I didn't realise it's possible given that the application doesn't ask at any point explicitly "do you want to apply in your own right or as a spouse". I started my application a year before applying and can't remember whether I clicked the link in "apply if your spouse is a BC" or "apply if you have an IRL" section of guidance on gov.uk (I think it was the former but not 100% sure) but I think in either case it redirects you to the same website and the online application is identical?

It got me panicking whether I did something wrong since the only questions related to 3/5yr route topic were whether you are currently married/in civil partnership and then nationality of the current partner. My document checklist after submitting does list marriage certificate and spouse's British passport as required documents so do UKVI assume that you apply as a spouse if you're married to BC unless stated otherwise?

Sorry if it's a silly question, I find the whole process quite stressful! I've not submitted documents yet so I still have a chance to explain any errors in covering letter.

It doesn't let you select a route explicitly. If you select that you are married to a BC, it will show you the questions/documents for Section 6(2), if you select No to that question it will show you the questions/documents relating to Section 6(1).

In any case you can download your application and read your answers before uploading documents. UKVI would contact you if there was a missing document rather than rejecting your application outright.

[aleksandra914]

It doesn't let you select a route explicitly. If you select that you are married to a BC, it will show you the questions/documents for Section 6(2), if you select No to that question it will show you the questions/documents relating to Section 6(1).

In any case you can download your application and read your answers before uploading documents. UKVI would contact you if there was a missing document rather than rejecting your application outright.

So on my pdf copy of the application the questions were "are you married/in civil partnership" to which I answered Yes - this followed by a question of when did you get married.

Then much later in the application there is a section called "Current Partner" with questions around name and DOB, then nationality, are they a naturalised BC (No in my case - I suppose this is the additional question for spouses of BCs) and country & place of birth, followed by current address.

There was no further questions but in the list of documents to upload I have marriage certificate and husband's passport to prove he is a BC.

I had a look at the paper application form and it looks like the questions about current and former partners are the same regardless of their nationality. I'm hoping that since the document checklist asks for the evidence mentioned above, I answered the questions correctly but I found it a bit confusing that the questions which determine who you apply as (spouse Vs your own right) are really weaved into certain sections and even in the summary of documents required it states "proof of residency for the last 5 years (or 3 if you apply as a spouse of a BC)", despite the same list stating documents unique to the spouse route are also required.

This why I ended up questioning if I answered everything correctly but I may well be overthinking it since at the end of the day I am being asked for proof of marriage and my partner's British passport.

[contorted_svy]

I think you have answered everything correctly. You can rest easy and upload the evidence requested.

[aleksandra914]

Thank you very much!

[aleksandra914]

Sorry one other point on evidence and apologies if this is a wrong thread to ask in - I will be uploading a letter from my employer as evidence of UK residency and the wording they used is:

We have been asked by the above-named to provide an employer reference to support their British Citizenship application.

XXX has been employed by ABC and based in (office location) since (Date) and is currently employed as (job title & department name).


Is this sufficient or do they need to provide further details?

Details like company registration numbers, address etc are also included.

[contorted_svy]

If the letter is on official company paper that is enough.

[aleksandra914]

Yes, it has the company letterhead etc. Thank you.

I was doing a final check of my application before document submission and I noticed a small error in the address history. In the personal information section there is a Q about current address and date you move in (in a month/year format).

Later on there is a question "Have you lived at your current address for 5 years" to which I answered No and gave my previous address. However, annoyingly I made a mistake in the move out date by 1 day. The error is not obvious in the application because in the earlier section it only allows you to input month and year but the the move out date is off by a day nevertheless. Should I add a covering note explaining the mistake and stating the correct date?

Thank you in advance.

[contorted_svy]

I doubt this will be an issue. You may add it to a cover letter if you wish but they use your address history to run checks if you paid all your bills and such - days can be gotten wrong. What I have personally done, just to wrap up everything in my application, is to write a cover letter where I stated that all dates I provided were at the best of my personal recollection. It doesn't affect your statutory requirements.

[aleksandra914]

Thanks, I wrote the covering letter as suggested for peace of mind.

I've also realised that I used my previous passport when I took Life in the UK test a few years ago but I had seen elsewhere on the forum that this is not an issue and I should apply with my current valid passport. Should I still provide a copy of the passport used when I took the test?

If so, do I need to scan all pages or just the personal details page and is a scan using a mobile phone okay (rather than a scanner)?

[alterhase58]

You have a pass reference? That’s sufficient. You don’t need to explain anything they have the pass on their system. That’s what counts!

[aleksandra914]

Yes, I had to provide the pass reference code as this was one of the very first questions in the online application.

What I meant was mostly around this line from the guidance in https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... y+2024.pdf in the Evidence of identity section:

If you were issued with a Biometric Residence Permit, you must provide/use it in support
of your application, alongside:

• Your passport* (...)

* if you used one of these documents when you took the Knowledge of Life in the UK test
you will be expected to use it again by providing it with your naturalisation application.


The BRP point doesn't apply to me because of the settled status but presumably UKVI may need the passport I used at the time to verify I am the same person who took the test? Unless what is mean here is that if you used a passport for the test, you should use the same document type again with the application?

[contorted_svy]

I have never seen this requested - if they need to check records they will ask you. You would not be rejected for something like this outright.

[aleksandra914]

Thank you both, I suppose with the LITUK being valid for life, it's not that uncommon to use different documents at for the test and the application.

I have kept the old passport and I was thinking about uploading it just in case, but if it's an overkill I won't do that. Just trying to think ahead about what the potential follow up may be to avoid delays due to insufficient documents being submitted.

[contorted_svy]

they would just email you to ask for that passport if relevant. Unless you have specific reasons, the best advice is to rest as easy as possible and wait for an outcome (I have been through it so I appreciate it is stressful!)