very often. When a client comes to our office, they will ask us, How do I next relies now? They may not yet be at that stage where they qualify to naturalized, but it's very important for us to be able to advise them as to what those steps are, what those prerequisites involved And perhaps most significantly, we have to start by telling them that naturalisation is not an entitlement. It is a discretionary grant that, being at the discretion off the Home Secretary, and in very many cases that's discretion will not necessarily be exercised in favor off the plant. What we're going to be looking at in this webinar but the various ways in which one should tackle a naturalization application. What those requirements are things to be wear off situations in which possibly we can convince the decision maker to exercise discretion to when considering our clients application for naturalization. Of course, naturalization is a massive event in somebody's life. The fact that they finally come up with a British passport become more involved in the community off the United Kingdom. It's not easily off kind, of course, as we know there are a number of steps if they come to see us at the stage of entry clearance that they will have to go through prior to being able to qualify for the naturalization stage. What's also very significant and very important for us to bear in mind at all times is the fact that certain countries will prohibit dual nationality and if they are prohibiting dual nationality, it is vital that we are aware or certainly to make up clients aware that this is possibly a problem that they will want to face. The last thing we would want to do is to naturalize somebody and then subsequently find out that this has put their initial net nationality at risk. And what we need to do is of course, not being experts in those foreign laws sign post and send them off to get further information, either from a nationality expert within that particular domain, or possibly to the relevant embassy or high commission to assess whether there is an issue with dual nationality. In some cases, it's not an absolute ban, one nationality on your nationality. For the individual, that will be a concern, but rather a permission that needs to be obtained prior to them going for naturalization, for example. I come from South Africa. I have a situation with South African authorities where I have to ask permission prior to being able to naturalize. If I do not ask for that permission, I will lose my South African nationality. The interesting thing is, in that particular case, the South African authorities are generally not reluctant to keep and a lone individual to maintain their South African nationality, so certainly something to be considered and dealt with at an early stage. Off the process, naturalization is governed by the British Nationality Act, off 1981 which came into effect on the first off January, off 1993. There are, in essence, to ways in which you can qualify for naturalization one and a Section 62 off the BN. A British Nationality Act is if you are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. It's important to note here that being in a defector relationship, I living for more than two years with a British citizen will not suffice. The little the legal requirements for this particular route would be that first you are aged over the age off 18 that you are married to, or the civil partner off a British citizen on the date off the application that you're off sound mind and what totally aware off the step that you are taking and your decision to naturalized as a British citizen, you need to show that you can speak English and that you can meet the English speaking requirement. We will talk a lot more about that a little bit later, that you have sufficient knowledge off life in the UK that you are a good character and that you have lived in the United Kingdom for a minimum off three years before you apply and meet a certain number off residential requirements. The first of these residential requirements that your client has to satisfy is that they were in the United Kingdom exactly three years to the day before their application is received by the Home Office. So if you are sending often application on the 17th of August 2000 and 19 anticipating its delivery to the Home Office on the very next day, the 18th August 2000 and 19 it's vital that the client is able to show they were in the United Kingdom precisely three years to the day prior to that date on the 18th of August, off 2000 and 16. If this was not the case, then it would be quite possible and likely that that application would be refused. There is an additional report mint that in the three years prior to the date of application, your client has not bean art off the United Kingdom for more than 270 days. And in addition to this, there are also required to show that in the one year immediately prior to date of application, they have not bean art off the United Kingdom for more than 90 days. Another is a certain degree off discretion, which I will discuss when we come on to Section 61 For those not married to British citizens or not, the civil partner off. British citizens must also show that they are free off restrictions on the day that they make their application, and also that they have not being in breach off immigration rules for the three years prior to such date. No doubt the majority off your plants will not be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. Those situations are governed by Section 61 off the British Nationality Act 1981. Here, the client will need to show that they are at least off 18 years off age at the time off, submitting their application that they are of sound mind knowing what they are doing in submitting such application, they have to show that they intend to make the United Kingdom their permanent home and intend to remain residing within the United Kingdom. They will also need show in the same way as we saw a few minutes ago, that they are able to communicate in English and that they have sufficient knowledge off life in the UK They have to show that they are off good character and that they have lived in the United Kingdom for a minimum off five years prior to the date of application a dot the majority of your clients will not be married to a British citizen or the civil partner off a British citizen, and here the residence requirements are slightly different. It's important here if your clients to be able to show that they were within the United kingdom exactly five years to the day prior to their application being accepted by the Home Office. It's important to bear in mind that there may be an exemption here for those who are members of the armed forces who might have bean serving outside of the United Kingdom exactly five years prior to the date off naturalization application being received at the office. Instead, off 270 days allowance outside of the United Kingdom i e. The absences from the United Kingdom for 270 days. That was the case under Section 62 on a Section 61 For those not married to a British citizen or not, the civil partner off a British citizen, they are not entitled to be art of the United Kingdom for more than 450 days during that five year period. In addition, they similarly to Section 62 cannot have bean art of United Kingdom for more than 90 days in the year immediately choir to the date off application. It's important to show that your client is free off immigration restriction on the date of their application, but also that they've bean free of immigration time restriction for a period of at least 12 months prior to the date off their application. There must also show that they've not being in breach off immigration rules for at least a period of five years prior to the date of application quotes. To note that time spent in the United Kingdom exempt off immigration control, for example, as a diplomat or as a member off a foreigner visiting on Fourth does not normally count as a period within the United Kingdom, and such parents would actually constitute an absence from the United Kingdom. For applications both under Section 61 and Section 62 there is a degree off leniency, which can be exercised on a discretionary basis, depending on the circumstances off your plants case. The first thing to say is that when you initially meet a client, it is best to advise them to start setting up a ship Jewel of absences. The shifting of absences is best undertaken on an Excel spreadsheet, but can equally be undertaken on a tabular form. The categories and each column should include the date your client left the United Kingdom the date they returned to the United Kingdom. The place visited the reason for the trip and finally the number off days out of the United Kingdom. Now here we should pause for a moment, because when we look at numbers off days out of the United Kingdom, there again is a degree off being and see possible. We had many years ago a client who had to work in Paris for three days off the week. He was required to work a full day on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and he came to us saying, Well, that's me gone. I can't possibly continue to meet the requirements and I won't meet the ultimate requirements for naturalization and I advised him, not necessarily the case. If you fly out of the United Kingdom, let us say, at 6 a.m. And or in Paris at 9 a.m. Sitting at your desk. And if you work of three day week until the Wednesday finishing at 5 p.m. On Wednesday and then return to the United Kingdom prime to midnight off that day. In essence, you've only been gone for one day because you have touched British soil. On both the Monday on the Wednesday that means that in my example, and this was the case of my plant, there was only one day the Tuesday that would need to be counted in that final column on the schedule of absence. It's of course, we would put in the Monday as the date departed from the United Kingdom. We would put in the Wednesday as the date returned to the United Kingdom, but only the Tuesday would can't. And in the column as to number of days out of the United Kingdom, we would only be replied to put one. Absences from the United Kingdom will be considered in the following way. For the sake of this example, I'm only going to look at Section 61 But a similar policy exists in respect off section 62 obviously, in that case, with a lower number off days of absence being committed. So under Section 61 we heard that your client is entitled to be absent from the United Kingdom for a period off up to 450 days over the five year period immediately prior to naturalization, the Home Office will generally disregard a period of up to 480 days with art. Further query. There is, in fact, a further discretion and a further possibility that exists. And this is that your client could be art for Upton Line 100 days in certain limited circumstances here, your client would have to show that they meet all off the other appointments under the naturalization rules and in addition to that that they have established their home, their family and a substantial part off their estate within the United Kingdom. If your clients absences are up to 730 days, they would expect your client to have Bean resident in the United Kingdom for the past seven years. If they were absences in excess off 730 days in that situation, the Home Office would expect your plant to be residing in the United Kingdom for at least eight years prior to date of application. Only in very rare circumstances will be home office a lot a period in excess off my 100 days off absence in respect of a naturalization application we had in our office many years ago, an application where our plant being absent for 1000 and 51 days, and that was a lot. They were rare circumstances. Somebody involved as an inventor in relation to medical technology, where that individual had been taken on to go as a mess court on behalf of the NHS and present his work internationally. What we did there was we enlisted the assistance, often obtained detailed documentation and a very persuasive letter from senior policy within the NHS, and that sufficed to convince the home office off this individual's needs to travel abroad doing this essential work. I think it's a good tip generally that where another government body is involved and a letter, a compelling detail can be submitted as part off it lance application. This will generally be particularly persuasive in respect off the year. Immediately prior to date of naturalization, there is permissible absence off up to 90 days. Here in a similar way, there will be a possibility to be absent for up to 100 days without any further query. However, again, as in the example we've just looked at, if the client had bean away for between 101 and 179 days, that would be permissible for the final year immediately prior to date of application where that plant could demonstrate again a link with your life kingdom, my way off presence of family, establishing a home and a substantial part off their estate within the United Kingdom. Only in the most exceptional circumstances would absences in excess of 180 days in the last year prior to the date of application be disregarded. It's very important to show and to be aware of and to make your client particularly aware of the fact that the authorities want the client to very clearly demonstrate that they intend to make the United Kingdom their permanent home. This is one of the key questions within the naturalization application form, and it is that period immediately prior to the final stage that final year immediately prior to application. That is taken as the key period as to whether that intention is indeed genuine. Before leaving the subject off absences, it's important to bear in mind one last thing that solicitors and advisers sometimes forget to tell that lines when a client comes in to see you at the stage off, wanting to look at options to come into the United Kingdom and possibly determining that for example, a tier two might be an option. They will at that time generally be told by a solicitor advisor. Be where you are not entitled to more than 180 days out of the country for every 12 month period leading up to your five year indefinite leave to remain. That's all well and good, but what they very often forget to tell of it. Land is the more restrictive requirements when it comes to residency that relate to naturalization. So it's very important to always remember from the outset to advise your plants off that more limited situation. Look briefly at the situation off plants who are European nationals. We talked earlier about the fact that a client has to be free off immigration restrictions for a period off 12 months prior to them being able to apply for naturalization. You will recall that it is only those who are married or civil partners off a British citizen who would be exempted from that where your European client has been living in the United Kingdom for well over five years and has not as yet applied for permanent residency. They can ask that section off the home office to back date they deemed date off permanent residence. And if that is more than a year historically backwards, then it is possible for them to get a deemed date stated on their documents. Their permanent residents document once that date is there on that document, and if an additional year has passed since that deemed date, it is possible for them immediately to go on to apply for naturalization because that intra Muir will be deemed as a year without immigration restriction free, often stricture situation is not the same if that European client applies for settled status. If they go that newer option that new route off settled status that will in essence be the same as indefinite leave to remain, and that client would have to then go on to wait for an additional year free of conditions from the date that they apply for and or plain they're permanent residency. Applying for naturalisation, your client will also have to satisfy the English language and life in the UK requirements. It is possible that they may have undertaken this at an earlier stage. For example, they may have done the test at the stage of indefinite leave to remain. Now it's important to note, firstly, in respect of the English language deployment, that this could be satisfied in one off three ways. Firstly, you may be part a national off an English speaking country. It's important to check the list off countries that form part off this group the U. S. A. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean islands. They all form part off the English speaking countries. I have to of course, at this time thank you for at least pretending to understand me because as a South African, apparently I do not speak English. Anyway. If you are not part off that list, it's important then to be able to set us fire the English speaking requirement in one off to other ways. Firstly, you could do a test, and that test would have to be undertaken via one of the two accredited entities, either Trinity or Eilts. The level that has to be attained here is level B one that C f R. Finally, if neither off these to apply, you may be able to look to a degree that you have completed that's degree in would need to have Bean taken in the United Kingdom. If that is the case, nothing further is required. If the degree was not undertaken in the United Kingdom but was taken in another foreign country, it's important to be able to satisfy further requirements. Firstly, if that country waas a majority English speaking country such as the USA, then that particular sub deployment would be met i e. That the language off tuition waas English. However, it would still be required that the lines show that that's degree waas off a standard at least equivalent to a UK degree. And this is done. Vyron entity called you Cain Eric Andan Eric will go on to issue a certificate confirming the equivalents off that degree to a UK academic standard. Finally, if the degree have bean undertaken in a country that is not deemed to be a majority English speaking country, then in addition to confirming that it is at a relevant level off equivalents, no, Eric could also be approached to confirm that the language off tuition waas indeed English at that particular into in be a educational establishment, particular educational establishment. The client will also be required to undertake and path the left in the UK test. This is a test designed to familiarise your plant with all things British. It's a multiple choice question test, and there are ways to practice beforehand by a certain trial tiff. It's a test that takes 45 minutes to complete 24 questions based on the handbook. Life in the UK A Journey to Citizenship. If that test is passed, the client will then be granted a certificate, and that certificate, of course, must be presented at the time off applying for naturalisation. If your client is aged over 65 or has a long term physical or mental condition that prevents them from passing these tests, there is a possible exemption above 65 years of age will be an automatic exemption, whereas the long term physical and mental illness will need to be justified by medical evidence that should be supplied at the time off application. The Home Office can be quite strict and fussy when it comes to this requirement, and it is best to get at least two pieces off corroborative evidence to show that the person indeed is not capable of undertaking and passing youth. If your client will also be required to meet the good character requirement. It's important to show that your client is observed all the laws and duties required off them during their time in the United Kingdom. It's also vital to bear in mind that if anything is omitted or if any fraudulent approach or comment or statement has been made, this could indeed lead to subsequent deprivation off nationality and, in fact, could also lead to criminal prosecution. Among the duties that your clients would have to show is the fact that they have paid the relevant tax and national insurance contributions throughout their time in the United Kingdom and in the event that they have not been paid on a p a y e basis. They would then have to look to H, M or C and attached a self assessment statement of account to satisfy that requirement and provide the relevant proof. Disclosure off convictions within and outside off the United Kingdom is absolutely vital. Fixed penalties such as speeding fines or indeed parking tickets should be disclosed, but generally will not be problematic unless they are particularly numerous. However, if you have failed to pay or have challenged one of these particular penalties and have been unsuccessful in your court appearance, This could have quite serious consequences. One of the first things I tell my clients as I wave them goodbye as I uptime indefinite leave to remain or permanent residents for them is Do you drive? And they look at me and asked, Why is the self significance? Why is this important? The reason it's important is that many applications for naturalization or turned down because off driving offenses, the best plan here generally is to reveal all and explain why you feel there are mitigating circumstances which should not then be off detriments to your client. When it comes to the consideration off their application. I can think of two instances just to give you an idea off how strict the home office can be here. In one particular instance, we had a South African client who was driving in an area where it was raining quite heavily at the time. Usually the sun was shining into the face off the client simultaneously with a condition which in South Africa recall the monkeys waiting. So there was this monkey's waiting, taking place somewhere just outside of London, near an industrial state where our client worked, and he was absolutely convinced that a traffic light that he was approaching was green. The camera never lies. It turned out that this traffic light wants red. He did not accelerate, did not go through it. Excessive speed was shown to be doing 24 miles an hour in a 30 zone and at a constant speed. But he chose without advising us to go and challenge this in court, and he lost and his naturalization application had to be accordingly delayed for a couple of years. In another similar scenario where naturalization had to be delayed, we had a client who was a doctor Bean lost by one of his family to come to celebrate a family celebration. There he went and said, I can't drink. I'm on duty. They said, Come on, you know how much you can drink, have a small little talk with us. So he was persuaded to have a small amount of alcohol, but it took him just over the level that was permitted and on being brutalized in a standard and random check. He passed all of the other neurological tests quite easily, being able to stand on one foot close his eyes put his finger to his nose, walk in a straight line. Step off the step. He was literally doing backward somersaults, blindfolded. There was no problem. But the Breathalyzer never lies. And for that reason, and because he was a doctor and the doctor who did some home visits, the home office said, Sorry, we are not prepared to let this naturalization application go through until that time has passed. So again, there was a delay in him being able to actually submit his successful naturalization application. Driving offenses must be declared, and if your client has any endorsements on their license, they must provide their paper counterpart. The driving conviction may not necessarily be disregarded, despite the fact that penalty points may have now been removed from that plans lessons. The conviction checks will be undertaken in every situation, and it is vital for full disclosure to be made at all times, depending on what type of sentence may have. Bean given pursuant to a conviction, will determine how long an individual may have to wait prior to being eligible to apply for naturalization if there is a pending matter or the client is awaiting sentence, it is not advisable to apply for naturalization. If the client has bean convicted and sentenced to more than four years imprisonment, it is very unlikely that that client would be entitled to naturalization If the sentence is between 12 months and four years, the application will normally be refused unless a period off 15 years has elapsed since the end off the sentence. If the sentence was up to 12 months imprisonment, the application will normally be refused unless a period of 10 years has passed since the end off the period off sentence. If there was a non custodial sentence on offense rather or an out of court disposal in those circumstances, applications would normally be refused unless a period off three years had elapsed since the end off the particular conviction plant had committed and non custodial offense or other art of court disposal was applicable and there is a recording on the client's criminal record, then an application will normally be refused unless the conviction occurred more than three years ago and be quite awkward going through the application form with your client and asking those questions relating to genocide crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorist activities or sympathy with organization concerned in terrorism. But it is absolutely vital that in all instances these questions are all oft and answered by your client. The significance off your client possibly exercising deception against the Home Office cannot be overly stressed. There have bean a number of circumstances over the years where people who have exercised deception against the Home Office within the past 10 years have had their naturalization applications refused. This is actually something we should have a quick look at because some seemingly innocuous situations can lead to very serious consequences to God. I'd like to share with you a situation that arose a number of years ago when a client approached me not at the stage off naturalization, but interestingly, right to the other end of the spectrum. Wanting to come into the United Kingdom and I use this example to show just are serious deception can be. The client had Bean on a multiple entry visitor visa had come into the United Kingdom several times over a 10 year multiple entry visitor visa and on one of these occasions was shopping in the West End with her two young Children. The younger child looked at a particular bracelet, a piece off costume jewelry and said, Mummy, I want this Mom said, No, darling, I gave us to you yesterday. You cannot have another. What happened then is that the child had attention. This mother waas particularly wealthy. It was not unusual for her to spend well over 500 to £1000 on each shopping spree that she undertook in the West End on a daily basis. In this particular instance, he then went to the till, paid for that particular shopping off the day, left the store, but forgot that she had this piece off costume jewelry on her wrist. Having paid 800 or so pounds, she exited the store. And, of course, the alarm was treated. The security individual from the store came along and said, Ma'am, I'm terribly sorry, but it seems that you've triggered our alarm. Would you mind if I check your particular purchases off the day that particular lady, unfortunately not being imbued with great emotion intelligence, absolutely blew up and said, Are you accusing me off? Stealing? Here is the invoice. I have just paid £800 to your store. I shop here regularly. Heart. Can you in any way accuse me off being a thief? He totally lost it and in fact, started pushing the individual around. One of the security officers colleagues called the police. The police arrived and issued a caution. Once this caution had been taken hold. The following happened she returned back to her home. Country, in fact, came back to the United Kingdom during the remaining period of her tenure. Multiple entry visa. But when it came to and new multiple entry visa being applied for some two or three years later, she had a major problem on that form. It asked, Have you ever been given a caution? He'd fold in many of these forms over her lifetime and very quickly ticked. No, no, no. Throughout the entire form. To their credit, the Inter clearance officer actually called her and said, Man, are you sure that you have actually given us full disclosure here and again Unwisely. She lost it with him. Are you calling me a liar? I have come to your country. I spent a fortune of money. Why do you treat me like this? Thank you very much indeed. said the military officer. And there it WAAS application denied. And what was the implication? The implication there, even for that seemingly innocuous misstatement, was deemed to be deception. And that led to a 10 year bar off her being permitted to come back into the United Kingdom. So how much Mawr significant would be this case when somebody is applying for that final gold standard Standard of naturalization? Having spent time in the United Kingdom, it's very important to stress this to clients at all times. Client has evaded immigration control were in any way facilitated another from evading immigration control within the past 10 years. It is also very likely that their naturalization application would be refused if your client has not been convicted. But the good character might be in question. There might be a situation where they have not as yet bean taken to court. But there is something pending very often. What might happen is that during the period of consideration off their naturalization application, a criminal situation may arise. It is vital in these circumstances again to ensure full disclosure. It's important to note that your client may have his British citizenship deprived off him if it is fun that that citizenship was a planned by fraud, by false representation or by concealment. Furthermore, the Home secretary in certain circumstances made a private individual off there. British citizenship. If it is found that in some way it is against the interests off the public or public safety matters arise, as long as your client is not going to left stateless, that remains an option. Open to the UN secretary, your client will be required to provide their biometrics. That is, a face can photograph in 10 fingerprints as part off the naturalization process. Where this happens depends on the place off residents off the individual, and there will be a nominal fee added to the application fee. When completing the online application they look at former AM the on line naturalization application. I'm going to make reference to a few things that one should bear in mind when completing this form on Be off line, right? So I have here in front of me an online form which I've printed out, and this is the form that is used for naturalization, the former A n still available in limited cases for people to complete my way of the old paper form, but now widely available and recommended to be completed online at the beginning. Off the form, you see the typical names now. This may sound particularly obvious, but it is vital that the name is absolutely correctly stated. As for the details on the client's passport, if this is not done, there are a number of issues that will arise at a later stage. Similarly, with a country off nationality, make sure that if the individual is already a dual national that both nationalities are cited, even if which is the case in a number of situations, they may not hold a passport off that second country. One of the other factors that should be born in mind is that when being asked to provide the details off the individuals email and telephone number, you may choose as an adviser to provide your own. This will allow you in all circumstances to have ongoing access to the entire application form, and it means that any notifications will be returned to you. Obviously, it is wise to consult with your client on this and ensure that you have their agreement on this. The name off the Immigration Advisors organization is quite straightforward. But when they start asking about regulates your immigration advisor this May, for example, be the law Society or the office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. It's interesting to note that the question immediately thereafter is the Immigration Advisors Company registration number. What they're actually after here is the regulation number. Fire the regulator, for example, your oh, I S C registration number when being offed about the various names off your client and whether they have indeed, at any time during their lives being known under a different name, it's essential not only to look at, for example, the Maidan lame off a married client, but also to check whether there may be various spellings, depending on the dialect in question. They may also be situations where certain individuals have decided at a later time in their life to revert to their former unmarried name, possibly taking in some case, be made a name off their mother. It's also possible that the individual may have been married more than once, and therefore may have had several names. These should all be cited when being asked about the passports of your client it's vital to put in all current passports and in fact, to include in the package of documentation, all passports covering the past five years. If you're applying under section 61 of course, if you're applying under Section six to that will only cover a period off three years, and that would be acceptable. The former off what address the individual is living out at the moment and what addresses they've been living at over the full five year period prior to the date of application. It's vital that these details are provided in full. It also goes on them to ask, Have you been granted indefinite leave to remain stroke permanent residents settled status. Now it's important bearing in mind what we discussed earlier in respect off E A nationals where possibly their permanent residents was backdated and a further deemed date off permanent residence was provided. That this is cited at this stage as well, because it may be necessary to show with those European nationals applying that a year has elapsed since that deemed date, thereby making it possible now for that person to qualify for naturalization. The form requires the client to state the national insurance number. If your client is unaware of this number, this can be obtained by the DSS. It may be a temporary number in certain circumstances. The client may not have a national insurance number. We have to bear in mind that with regard to naturalization applications, and the reason why they perhaps take slightly longer than various other applications is that a considerable right has been given to an individual. And there are a number of chicks that are undertaken to ensure the good character and suitability off your client to be eligible for naturalization. There will be checks in respect of national insurance by the DSS. They will be further checks via the inland revenue in respect off their taxation checks through Interpol, M I five m I six and indeed through the relevant police. If in London, for example, the Metropolitan Police to look for various criminal convictions or unsuitability off that particular client, the former reply IRS your client to provide the details off their parents. Fool ing's remember this will include the maiden name off their mother, their dates and places off birth and their nationality. It's wise to ask a client before that line comes in to see you to make sure that they have all of these details. In addition, it goes on to ask all of the specifics relating to their partner, where a client arrives at your office together with their partner. I would suggest it's prudent to look at both of them very meaningful. Iwin asking their date off meeting and they're date off marriage. It can lead to quite some embarrassment in circumstances where one partner is asked and literally does not have a clue as to the date off their marriage, which can be quite upsetting to the other. The form goes on to ask all of the residency requirements we talked about that earlier. Remember to tell your plants to start their schedule of absences from the first time they come to see you, even if it is at the time off entry clearance. Because by the time they get to indefinite leave to remain permanent residents and certainly by the state off naturalization, it can be particularly difficult and quite an awesome task for that individual to go back all those years. Remembering all off their various absences, the form has a rather interesting set of questions under the residence requirements where double negatives are used and there is only a yes or no answer where there should indeed also be not applicable. Answer. So that can at times be slightly challenging. In certain circumstances, the form goes on them to ask the question, Where do you intend to reside on a full time basis? Where do you intend to have as your main home? And obviously it must be the United Kingdom. If any other answer is given, it is extremely unlikely that your client will qualify for naturalization. Make sure to ask your clients to bring in their marriage certificates to ensure that you have the correct place of marriage. Sometimes the flight does not remember this clearly, and it may be slightly differently stated on the actual certificate. If the client has previously bean divorced, ensure that that certificate is also available, and also the particulars off their ex partner, and also to bear in mind that it wants to be the decree absolute state that is off relevance, not the decree nisei and that certificate will not suffice. And also, if it is in an international jurisdiction, that certificate will generally you know as a final order off divorced, the client will be required to provide two referees and support off their application for naturalization. And there are certain guidelines as to who those referees can be. They cannot be the relative off the client. They may not be related to each other. They should not be under the age off 25 at least one should be a British citizen and the other, ideally, a professional person. In certain circumstances, we feel it is preferable to have two British citizens and, of course, remind your client that if they're asking that individual to Silom their behalf, have their passports number available to provide sure that you check the guidance as to who qualifies from a professional perspective. In recent years, the form has been modified to require the individual's employment not only current at the time off the naturalization application, but going back a full 10 years prior to the date of application again important to advise the plant off these questions prior to them coming in so that they can be fully prepared with all the relevant particulars. The Nationality division off the home office in days gone by, used to mention a period of approximately 4 to 7 months as the processing period for a naturalization application. Fortunately, the period of consideration has reduced substantially, and it's not very often the case that applications can be received well within half off that period. What is important is that at the end off the period off consideration, assuming all being well, your clients application is favorably considered. They will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. Dis vital that your client makes immediate contact with the relevant local authority in order to secure an appointment, as the client will only have 90 days from being advised off the successful outcome off their naturalization application to attend such ceremony. If your client is unable to provide good reason why they cannot attend the ceremony within those 90 days, it is possible that that application success would be revoked and your client would indeed need to reapply. At the ceremony, your client will be asked to swear or affirm and off of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and also to commit their loyalty to the United Kingdom. They were also there be presented with their actual certificate off naturalization, which, of course, is a particularly valuable document and will be the enabling document if and when they go on to apply for their first British passport. Well, that brings to an end this webinar on naturalization. I hope you found the content and practical tips off youth. I wish you well with your careers and hope to work with you again.
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