What about the letting/property agent? Can he/she become my referee?

Thanks.

Hi Okto:

The requirements are very clear. Anyone who is a British Citizen and knows you for over three years can become a Referee. Solicitor/Agent is referring to your solicitor/Agent.  That's what I understand, may be you need to clear it with Citizenship Service agencies.  I don't think they can exclude all kinds of agents and solicitors. I believe here they are referring to the Solicitor/agent who might be presenting your case to the immigration.  Make sure you clear this if you have to have an agent as a referee or just use someone else to avoid confusion.

You raise a good point because agents are commonly known for property or letting agents but Immigration rules did not defined here properly. I used my neighbor, may be you can do the same.

How long exactly those people need to know me before I can nominate them as my referees? Some said 2 years, some other said 3 years. I am confused now, can anyone help?

Thanks.

Alright may be I will have to just go back to the basics.  What is your confusion?  Read the botto link from Home Office site and let me know then I might be able to help you and can explain you better. This is pretty black and white to me so I am not sure why you are so confused. This is direct from Home Office Site.  If someone says Two years don't listen to them. It is three.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/british_nationality/application_forms.html?

 
SECTION 6: REFEREES

Your application must be supported by two
referees. Each must have
known you personally (rather than just
professionally) for at least 3 years
and be:
 a
British citizen
 aged
25 years or over
 not
related to you
 not
related to the other referee
 not
your solicitor or agent

We will not accept a referee who has been
convicted of an imprisonable
offence during the last 10 years and the
sentence has not become spent
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974 ? see page 24.
Once you have two referees and they have
completed Section 6 you
should recheck the information you have
provided and go to Section 7.

Important links to Home office site

For application and Guidance notes:

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/applying/british_nationality/application_forms.html?

 
SECTION 6: REFEREES

Your application must be supported by two
referees. Each must have
known you personally (rather than just
professionally) for at least 3 years
and be:
 a
British citizen
 aged
25 years or over
 not
related to you
 not
related to the other referee
 not
your solicitor or agent

We will not accept a referee who has been
convicted of an imprisonable
offence during the last 10 years and the
sentence has not become spent
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974 ? see page 24.
Once you have two referees and they have
completed Section 6 you
should recheck the information you have
provided and go to Section 7.