The form and a photograph should be countersigned and endorsed by a professional person (e.g. teacher, lawyer, bank official, an established civil servant, police officer, doctor or other person of similar standing). This individual can be either a British citizen, Commonwealth citizen or citizen of your country of residence and they must have known you for at least two years. For a child's application, the counter-signatory should be someone who has known the parent or guardian for at least two years. Please note that relatives are not permitted to countersign.