Hi. I was told only 2 guests allowed per person. I am not sure if this is different with every council or not, but you should get told before the ceremony of what they allow. Hope that helps x
I intend to get my first adult UK passport by descent and have been researching information about it the past few weeks. Now your video was in my recommended and I've now watched half of it. I have to say, despite this way of getting the citizenship/passport not applying to my case, I am in awe of your spoken English. Just wanted to say that.
Great to know the whole process Better than having no idea at all Very detailed and thoughtful Thanksssssss 🎉 Thanks a millon Well done Most helpful Appreciate your effirt and time ❤
My wife has been asked to take the test, although she has been living here and working for 30 + years. There seem to be a few organistations which do the test, but looking online it seems some offer computerised tests only, rather than one-to-one interviews, even though these now seem to be via ipads Which is less stressful would you say
Hi, to my knowledge both the English and Life in the UK tests (not sure which you were referring to) you have to attend in person. The English is a one-to-one interview either with a person there in the room or on an ipad/computer call in the room. The LITUK test is in a group setting where each person has their own computer with a computerised test and you can leave the room as you finish (in your own time within the timelimit). I found the LITUK test more stressful as you need to study the content of the books, but as long as you practice before it you will be fine. Hope that helps and best of luck to your wife x
@@adriennb Thanks for your reply. My wife passed the Life in the UK test a few months ago, she now has to do the English test. It just seems crazy that somebody who has been here in the UK for over 30 years, speaking only English as she did in her native South Africa, she now has to pay £150 for a 10 minute interview
Hi, can you please tell me about the bank statements you sent to prove you were living in the UK for the past 5 years they requested? Was it your monthly statements or annual statements that you sent them ? and were there any gaps in your statements? Did you print them off of your online banking or requested them from your bank and how many paper statements you sent them? did you send them any supporting documents proving you were here for the last 5 years how did you go about it? this is where I'm struck :( Many Thanks.
Hi. I went onto my online banking and downloaded all the bank statements available for the past 5 years as PDF files. Some were monthly and more recent ones annual i think- but i had no gaps in time. I uploaded these pdf files to UKVCAS website - after I booked an appointment with them the upload section became available (you can upload A LOT of documents). Alternatively you can print them off and take with you to your UKVCAS appointment and have them scan it all in- but i thought that was unnecessary step. If there are gaps in your 5 years, you can ask your place of education or employment from that time to write a letter confirming you were here and attending. Hope that helps x
Thank you for your video, it was very helpful. I applied for my British Citizenship this year and it was approved recently, after 3 months. The whole process was very easy. I didn't use any third party for my application, just followed the Home Office guidelines and tips from others who went through it.
Hi Adri B. It's really nice of you to have shared your experiences on this platform. Could you please let me know what is the correct application to fill for the British citizenship/passport. I asked this question because there are loads of application online, but not so sure if the one I'm trying to fill now that says "Apply for Naturalization as a British Citizen" is the correct one. Thanks in advance for replying me.
Hi. Firstly definitely use the gov.uk site, www.gov.uk/british-citizenship. Secondly, the correct site depends on your circumstances. Eg. for me it was applying with settled status. But if you have a british parent, or you are stateless or fit any other special criteria then it may be on a different site. This link above has further links to any of those circumstances. Hope that helps x
Thanks for the info, could you please share what exact doc you submitted for your referees? Was it just the 2 pager with the headers “Referees and Identify?”
On the application, they ask for a tax reference number, I can find it and I have on my payslips code tax...are they the same or what ?my question to you pls Adri what did you write? Have you found and wrote your tax reference number or you wrote your code tax?
I think I put my National insurance number for that (NI number). But if you are self employed you need to put your Unique Taxpayer Reference number (UTR). Hope that helps.
This website has a detailed list of things you can use for proof: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/applying-to-the-eu-settlement-scheme/preparing-to-apply-for-pre-settled-and-settled-status/#:~:text=use%20evidence%20like%3A-,mobile%20phone%20bills%20in%20your%20name%20with%20your%20address%20in,or%20spending%20in%20the%20UK Hope that helps x
Hi Adri, congratulations on your citizenship, I have a quick question 🙋🏿♂️. Did you also had to post your supporting documents to the home office after the upload them to UKVCAS website or not thank you
Hello, is it possible to travel all this time until we receive the decision outside the UK? Are there such restrictions throughout the application period? I am now waiting for the answer from the home office
Hi. As far as I know there is no restriction on travel once the application has been handed in, but make sure you receive all emails/letters on time, because if you get the citizenship you need a British passport to enter the country again. Hope this helps x
Hi Adri and thank you a lot for the helpful video. I am a bit confused and don't know where to fill out my B1 certificate details on the online application form for naturalization. Can you help me with some info about that? Thanks
Ok so the English test certificate needs to be uploaded or taken to your biometrics appointment. This will be on the UKVCAS website, not the original Gov site you fill out the application on. Hope that helps :)
Thank you, very useful. Where I can find a list of supporting documents that is required to upload during the biometrics app, please? Did you have to give them your Hungarian passport while waiting for decision?
I think the UKVCAS website provides a checklist once you have a login, but basically anything they asked proof of during the citizenship process. Things I remember: - life in the UK pass certificate/confirmation - english test pass certificate/confirmation -proof of having lived here long enough (bank statements, household bills etc covering 5 years back) - referee statements -identity documents (passport/drivers licence etc) Hope that helps x
Hi adri I just came across ur video and I do have a query plz ! I do have esol certificates of entry 1/2/3 and level 1 bridge and level 1 of travel and tourism from the college as I came here when I was 16 and nw I’m 25 and this year I am going to apply for citizenship I am just preparing for the life in the uk test would those certificates be suitable and beneficial to send with the form ?
Hi. In terms of the english test, i recommend checking out this website (www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt ) to check if your qualification is in the approved test providers section. If it is not, then you would have to do an english test from an approved provider. The college qualification is unfortunately irrelevant, as only university degree gives you an exemption for the English test. Hope this helps x
I usually use the app called Microsoft Lens. I take a picture of the document I need (with good lighting/no shadows), trim it to the corners and save it as pdf file. You can also add multiple pictures for multiple pages and name the file as you save it. Never had a problem with it so far. Hope that helps :)
Hi thanks fir your explanation. I'm going to do my application on 1st of May. I'm just bit worried about how to upload my documents. Can you explain that bit again thanks. Or can just take my documents with me to the visa center without uploading? Please
You can choose to get your documents uploaded at the appointment, however that costs extra as far as i am aware so just beware of that. If you do want to upload them beforehand, once you have a login for the UKVCAS website, it is all done through there. Hope this helps x
Both referees have to be a a British passport holder AND either a professional person or aged over 25 (at least one referee must be a professional person). Hope that helps x
@@adriennb In my recent application experience, I read it differently or did I not ?! copy/pasting the referee page's words: '' Requirements of a referee For an adult application, one referee should be a person of any nationality who has professional standing, eg minister of religion, civil servant, or a member of a professional body e.g. accountant or solicitor (who is not representing you with this application). For all applications, the second referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25.'' it did not say ''both of them have to be british passport holder?'' I should not be, but I am a little concerned now as I included only one with british passport bearing not the second (both).
If it said that in your application i would not worry about it! I got the info from the citizenship gov site- but it may have changed since they updated the site 🤷🏼♀️ as far as I remember, i gave 2 British citizens. Sorry i cant be much more of a help!
Hi. Good luck with the application! This website has a checklist for what documents you may need to submit: birmingham-immigrationlawyer.co.uk/documents-british-citizenship/ Hope that helps x
Hi, yes i think you do, but check for more information on this page www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family/partner-family-visa. Hope that helps x
Hi thank you for sharing your experience with us, I would like to know if I can apply before 12 months of settle scheme I will complete 12 months of settle scheme in 05/January 2025 in this case o can just submitted in this date ? Thank you
Hi. You can apply for the citizenship if you lived in the UK for 5 years AND had settled status for 12 months. So you have to wait until January as you said. Hope that helps x
@@adriennb I’ve completed 5 years on December 2024 but as the home office website says that I need to have 12 months as settle scheme I was afraid to make the application now and get declined 😢
Hi, I would assume if you forgot to fill out a necessary part of the application then they will get in touch with you to get that detail. But I do not know for sure. Hope that helps x
@@adriennb thank you so much for your reply! I wasn’t trying to find this piece of information out for such a while - and you just solved it for me. Thank you!
Hi. For a British passport you need the citizenship, and for that you need to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and had the indefinite leave for at least 12 months. So once you reach 5 years with the IL, that is when you will be able to apply. (Unless it changes until then - be sure to check again at that time - www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain)
Ceremony pictures thanks to Mum ❤️
For the group ceremony, anyone from your family can attend? Thanks 😊
Hi. I was told only 2 guests allowed per person. I am not sure if this is different with every council or not, but you should get told before the ceremony of what they allow. Hope that helps x
@@adriennbthis differs from council to council and could vary due to the size of the venue. Mine (Bexley) only allows 1 person.
Thanks for the insights of this process! Really helpful!
wow that's a lot of information Adri - well done finally getting it and your gold coin looks kinda cool!!
I intend to get my first adult UK passport by descent and have been researching information about it the past few weeks. Now your video was in my recommended and I've now watched half of it. I have to say, despite this way of getting the citizenship/passport not applying to my case, I am in awe of your spoken English. Just wanted to say that.
Great and detailed explanation of the process!
Congratulations!
Great to know the whole process
Better than having no idea at all
Very detailed and thoughtful
Thanksssssss 🎉
Thanks a millon
Well done
Most helpful
Appreciate your effirt and time ❤
Excellent video, thank you my lovely😊
Forgot to tell us how long it took from the BRP appointment to get an email from home office to say you application been accepted.
Had the biometrics appointment 10th June, and got the Home Office acceptance email 11th September (congrats email from council was 8th Sept) xx
My wife has been asked to take the test, although she has been living here and working for 30 + years.
There seem to be a few organistations which do the test, but looking online it seems some offer computerised tests only, rather than one-to-one interviews, even though these now seem to be via ipads
Which is less stressful would you say
Hi, to my knowledge both the English and Life in the UK tests (not sure which you were referring to) you have to attend in person. The English is a one-to-one interview either with a person there in the room or on an ipad/computer call in the room. The LITUK test is in a group setting where each person has their own computer with a computerised test and you can leave the room as you finish (in your own time within the timelimit).
I found the LITUK test more stressful as you need to study the content of the books, but as long as you practice before it you will be fine.
Hope that helps and best of luck to your wife x
@@adriennb Thanks for your reply.
My wife passed the Life in the UK test a few months ago, she now has to do the English test.
It just seems crazy that somebody who has been here in the UK for over 30 years, speaking only English as she did in her native South Africa, she now has to pay £150 for a 10 minute interview
Too bad she didn't think to apply decades ago.
Hi, can you please tell me about the bank statements you sent to prove you were living in the UK for the past 5 years they requested? Was it your monthly statements or annual statements that you sent them ? and were there any gaps in your statements? Did you print them off of your online banking or requested them from your bank and how many paper statements you sent them? did you send them any supporting documents proving you were here for the last 5 years how did you go about it? this is where I'm struck :(
Many Thanks.
Hi. I went onto my online banking and downloaded all the bank statements available for the past 5 years as PDF files. Some were monthly and more recent ones annual i think- but i had no gaps in time. I uploaded these pdf files to UKVCAS website - after I booked an appointment with them the upload section became available (you can upload A LOT of documents). Alternatively you can print them off and take with you to your UKVCAS appointment and have them scan it all in- but i thought that was unnecessary step. If there are gaps in your 5 years, you can ask your place of education or employment from that time to write a letter confirming you were here and attending. Hope that helps x
They only want 1 statement per year
Thank you for your video, it was very helpful. I applied for my British Citizenship this year and it was approved recently, after 3 months. The whole process was very easy. I didn't use any third party for my application, just followed the Home Office guidelines and tips from others who went through it.
Glad I could help and a massive Congrats!! 🥳
Hi Adri B. It's really nice of you to have shared your experiences on this platform. Could you please let me know what is the correct application to fill for the British citizenship/passport. I asked this question because there are loads of application online, but not so sure if the one I'm trying to fill now that says "Apply for Naturalization as a British Citizen" is the correct one. Thanks in advance for replying me.
Hi. Firstly definitely use the gov.uk site, www.gov.uk/british-citizenship. Secondly, the correct site depends on your circumstances. Eg. for me it was applying with settled status. But if you have a british parent, or you are stateless or fit any other special criteria then it may be on a different site. This link above has further links to any of those circumstances. Hope that helps x
Thanks for the info, could you please share what exact doc you submitted for your referees? Was it just the 2 pager with the headers “Referees and Identify?”
Hi. I used this document visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/documents/1st_Referee_Declaration_MN1.pdf
Hope that helps x
i have been waiting for mine now 10 months i havent heard from them its so frustrating since i submitted am still waiting
10m !!! Did you ask them why !
On the application, they ask for a tax reference number, I can find it and I have on my payslips code tax...are they the same or what ?my question to you pls Adri what did you write? Have you found and wrote your tax reference number or you wrote your code tax?
I think I put my National insurance number for that (NI number). But if you are self employed you need to put your Unique Taxpayer Reference number (UTR). Hope that helps.
Hi adri. Does the bank statements have to be each individual year ? I mean did u had to print every month of the year prior to 5 years?
Yes it has to cover the full 5 years - no gaps. If your statements are monthly, then yes all the months. Hope that helps x
@@adriennb thanks adri. do u think college certificate works for 5 years proof as well as driving license
Potentially. If not you may have to ask your college to write a letter stating you attended the college in that time period (date from/to).
What else we can use for proof for living in the uk
This website has a detailed list of things you can use for proof:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/applying-to-the-eu-settlement-scheme/preparing-to-apply-for-pre-settled-and-settled-status/#:~:text=use%20evidence%20like%3A-,mobile%20phone%20bills%20in%20your%20name%20with%20your%20address%20in,or%20spending%20in%20the%20UK
Hope that helps x
Hi, how did you proof your settled status for UK Citizenship biometric please?
My waiting time was 3 months and I got Brit citizenship
It’s been 4 months and still waiting
Mine was exactly 2 months
@@mralb2859the longest I’ve heard was 2 years one woman waited
Hi Adri, congratulations on your citizenship, I have a quick question 🙋🏿♂️. Did you also had to post your supporting documents to the home office after the upload them to UKVCAS website or not
thank you
Thanks! No, you either upload everything on UKVCAS or post. You do not do both, unless they specifically you to post something. Hope that helps x
@@adriennb thank you so much, it is
Hello, is it possible to travel all this time until we receive the decision outside the UK? Are there such restrictions throughout the application period? I am now waiting for the answer from the home office
Hi. As far as I know there is no restriction on travel once the application has been handed in, but make sure you receive all emails/letters on time, because if you get the citizenship you need a British passport to enter the country again. Hope this helps x
Hi Adri and thank you a lot for the helpful video. I am a bit confused and don't know where to fill out my B1 certificate details on the online application form for naturalization. Can you help me with some info about that? Thanks
Ok so the English test certificate needs to be uploaded or taken to your biometrics appointment. This will be on the UKVCAS website, not the original Gov site you fill out the application on. Hope that helps :)
If u put for passport is going to be £1.830
Can you apply for both at the same time (citizenship and passport)? Thanks
@ow1376 You can only apply for the passport once you have received your citizenship certificate. Hope that helps x
@@ow1376of course not
Thank you, very useful. Where I can find a list of supporting documents that is required to upload during the biometrics app, please? Did you have to give them your Hungarian passport while waiting for decision?
I think the UKVCAS website provides a checklist once you have a login, but basically anything they asked proof of during the citizenship process. Things I remember:
- life in the UK pass certificate/confirmation
- english test pass certificate/confirmation
-proof of having lived here long enough (bank statements, household bills etc covering 5 years back)
- referee statements
-identity documents (passport/drivers licence etc)
Hope that helps x
@@adriennb Thank you, that's helpful. Did you leave your passport with them or just scanned the photo page?
Just scanned x
Hi adri I just came across ur video and I do have a query plz !
I do have esol certificates of entry 1/2/3 and level 1 bridge and level 1 of travel and tourism from the college as I came here when I was 16 and nw I’m 25 and this year I am going to apply for citizenship I am just preparing for the life in the uk test would those certificates be suitable and beneficial to send with the form ?
Hi. In terms of the english test, i recommend checking out this website (www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt ) to check if your qualification is in the approved test providers section. If it is not, then you would have to do an english test from an approved provider. The college qualification is unfortunately irrelevant, as only university degree gives you an exemption for the English test. Hope this helps x
Adri, how did you scanned your documents ? Can I use my scan application on my phone because they say it should be some measurements?
I usually use the app called Microsoft Lens. I take a picture of the document I need (with good lighting/no shadows), trim it to the corners and save it as pdf file. You can also add multiple pictures for multiple pages and name the file as you save it. Never had a problem with it so far. Hope that helps :)
@@adriennb you are a star, I appreciate your reply ❤️💚
Hi thanks fir your explanation. I'm going to do my application on 1st of May. I'm just bit worried about how to upload my documents. Can you explain that bit again thanks. Or can just take my documents with me to the visa center without uploading? Please
You can choose to get your documents uploaded at the appointment, however that costs extra as far as i am aware so just beware of that. If you do want to upload them beforehand, once you have a login for the UKVCAS website, it is all done through there. Hope this helps x
Hi. Thanks for your reply and I have done my application and it's been 9 weeks but I'm still waiting for the decision..
It can take a while, dont worry! Best of luck x
@25:30: ''both of them have to be a british passport holder'', or only one of them have to be a british passport holder?!
Both referees have to be a a British passport holder AND either a professional person or aged over 25 (at least one referee must be a professional person). Hope that helps x
@@adriennb In my recent application experience, I read it differently or did I not ?! copy/pasting the referee page's words: '' Requirements of a referee
For an adult application, one referee should be a person of any nationality who has
professional standing, eg minister of religion, civil servant, or a member of a
professional body e.g. accountant or solicitor (who is not representing you with this
application).
For all applications, the second referee must normally be the holder of a British
citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25.''
it did not say ''both of them have to be british passport holder?'' I should not be, but I am a little concerned now as I included only one with british passport bearing not the second (both).
If it said that in your application i would not worry about it! I got the info from the citizenship gov site- but it may have changed since they updated the site 🤷🏼♀️ as far as I remember, i gave 2 British citizens. Sorry i cant be much more of a help!
Hey. I am going to be applying for British Citizenship. What documents do we need to submit
Hi. Good luck with the application! This website has a checklist for what documents you may need to submit: birmingham-immigrationlawyer.co.uk/documents-british-citizenship/
Hope that helps x
Hello, I have been married to a British citizen for 3 years. Do I have the right to apply for Indefinite leave to remain?? And thank you
Hi, yes i think you do, but check for more information on this page www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-family/partner-family-visa. Hope that helps x
Yeah you do now after 3 years you can
@@Templar.Knight-Reaper are you sure
@@Oussamaderdar-b9o of course
Hi thank you for sharing your experience with us, I would like to know if I can apply before 12 months of settle scheme
I will complete 12 months of settle scheme in 05/January 2025 in this case o can just submitted in this date ?
Thank you
Hi. You can apply for the citizenship if you lived in the UK for 5 years AND had settled status for 12 months. So you have to wait until January as you said.
Hope that helps x
@@adriennb I’ve completed 5 years on December 2024 but as the home office website says that I need to have 12 months as settle scheme I was afraid to make the application now and get declined 😢
Could you tell me what would happen if you forgot to fill out your tax reference number?
Hi, I would assume if you forgot to fill out a necessary part of the application then they will get in touch with you to get that detail. But I do not know for sure. Hope that helps x
Did you have to provide them with a Birth Certificate?
No, i didn't x
@@adriennb thank you so much for your reply! I wasn’t trying to find this piece of information out for such a while - and you just solved it for me. Thank you!
Hello sister i have indefinite leave to remain and i am living in the uk 2 year so i can apply for a british passport ?
Hi. For a British passport you need the citizenship, and for that you need to have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and had the indefinite leave for at least 12 months. So once you reach 5 years with the IL, that is when you will be able to apply. (Unless it changes until then - be sure to check again at that time - www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain)
No, first you need to apply for naturalisation
I didn’t get any medal here in Sheffield lol
it differs with every council x
@@adriennb yh I can see now it surely does 🙌 I see your ceremony was better than mine haha xx
am in liverpool too lol