Professional referee

[nicholson3003]

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.

[alterhase58]

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.

[CR001]

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