I would like to express my thanks
to all active members in this forum. This forum has helped me to apply for my ILR application at Croydon PEO on 21/11/2014 using Tier 1 (General) category for my self and one dependent (my wife) 
. I am a contractor working under my own limited company and hence there were more documents for me to produce in order to get my ILR. I have received my ILR and the Biometric card is in the post.I visited Croydon PEO for my Tier 1 extension on 24/11/2012 at that time the Croydon office was more like a detention centre
but this time the experience was really awesome. I booked an appointment for 10am as I had to travel for around 14 hours 
from extreme north of the UK to reach Croydon office.I live in North of Scotland
but the Glasgow PEO is not capable enough to handle application for people like me who works under limited company (Such a shame). Even if they were, I might have travelled to Croydon office to make full use of their experience staff for limited company contractors. So let’s start with providing my complete process.As said, my appointment was for 10 am but I reach Croydon by 9am. I visited Croydon office at 9.30am with the hope that they won’t allow me to enter till 9.45am anyway. But the security people allowed us to enter the building after looking at our appointment letter
. Building from outside looks same as what it was 2 years ago except new signs for Home office Immigration. As soon as we entered the building, we were asked to go through airport like security which we cleared within 5 minutes and there were around 10 more people with us.
Once we cleared our security, we used lift to reach 3rd floor. By this time, I was able to feel the difference compared to my last visit. All staff were very polite and happy to assist us. The person operating lift explained the process quickly before directing us to a registration counter on 3rd floor. The entire 3rd floor office is looking beautiful with nice office layout.
There were 4 staff waiting to greet us at registration centre. As soon as we reached there, they asked for our application form and passports. Staff quickly scanned through couple of pages (looked like more of a formality) and entered our appointment details, passport details, etc and provided us with the token number. Croydon office starts their day with token number 100. We received token 133 at 9.40am. Staff asked us to sit in couple of chairs provided few meters away to wait for our next step.
By the time we reached those chairs, our number appeared on number of big screen with the desk number (I think 32 or so) to visit. We were literally surprised with the pace. We reached desk 32 where a lady greeted us with big smile and asked for application form. When I removed all supporting documents, by looking at number of pages she realised that we were working under limited company and warned me that my application might take longer than 90 minutes (60-90 minute is normal duration).
She was really nice lady and we were speaking on issues like London traffic, weather in Scotland, Glasgow PEO etc. She really helped me to reduce my stress at that point.
She gave me around 3 envelops to keep all my supporting documents
. (Generally you will need one if you are not a contractor).She entered some of the details from our application form, passport, scanned our photographs, and asked us to wait further down on number of chairs and wait for biometric. We took our application form and supporting documents and reached the area she suggested.
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Our token number was already flashing with the new desk number (42 I think) for biometric before we reached that waiting area. I remembered 2 years ago we were waiting for around 2 hours to call for biometric due to few delays and lots of people at centre.
We reached desk 42 where a person quickly checked the token number, passport and printed 2 pages for both of us to sign. He scanned those pages and took our fingerprints and photographs along with our application form and supporting documents.
He asked us to wait at the new cafeteria during which the decision will be made
. We don't meet the case worker anymore like we did 2 years go. They now work in back office.We reached the cafeteria which is really nice looking area and relaxing atmosphere
with lots of big screens to keep you updated with the process. At this point I can see my token number under Biometric approval process. Within 5 minutes it jumped to waiting for consideration (this indicates you are in waiting list for caseworker to start digging at your application). Took around 10 minutes token moved to under consideration i.e. at 10.05 am case worker started looking at my application form. Really great improvements and effort by Home Office.We carried food from outside after suffering from almost nothing to eat last time but there are lots of options now. I also liked the separate area for people with tram (no noise in general area
).I received a call on my mobile from private number at 10.45ish and thought it must be a marketing call but when I picked up, a nice lady said she is calling from home office and was asking if I have any document proof to confirm that I was working in a company 4 years ago which I started in the application form. (I believe that they will also display number of screen if you miss the call) she asked me visit counter number 44 with that document. Give the number of documents I had to produce, I decided not to give any documents to case worker to unnecessary confuse them and hence I have all backup documents with me. I would suggest all of you to do the same and give only mandatory documents. This will make things fast and simple. (List of documents I have carried and given is given below).
I visited counter 44 where she (case worker) came. I gave her number of documents like my appointment letter, P60, last 5 year tax statement which I received from HMRC and asked her to choose, she decided to take P60. She told me that everything else is fine and it won’t be too long. This gave me the certainties that I am getting my ILR. Went back to cafeteria and started packing all my luggage with the home of leaving the building soon.
At 11.00am my token number was called at counter 44 (this is the counter where they were giving results to all). I visited that counter where a lady asked me to take a seat and congrats me. She explained me the letter given to me by her and said card will reach me by post in next 7 to 10 working days. Received all documents from her and we were out of building by 11.10 am
Let’s talk about documents.
I have taken photocopies of all documents listed below as taking photocopies by caseworker during my Tier 1 extension 2 years ago took long time.
MANDAROTY LIST - given to case worker
1. SET (O) form
2. Photographs
3. Life in the UK certificate - for both applicants
4. English exam for dependent
5. My MSc degree certificate
6. Last 12 months salary slips
7. Last 12 months dividend vouchers
8. Letter from my accountant
9. Company registration
10. VAT registration
11. Marriage certificate
12. Personal bank statements
13. Company bank statements
14. Cohabitation
15. My NI Reference
16. Dependent NI Reference
17. My degree transcripts
18. Out of country record for me - from my company and previous companies
19 Out of country record for dependent - from her employers
Backup documents with me
1. P60s for last 5 years
2. Last 5 year tax statement from HMRC
3. Dependent salary slips
4. Dependent dividend vouchers
5. My self assessment for last 2 years
6. Dependent self assessment for last 2 years
7. Company tax assessment for last 2 years
8. UTR - Unique Tax Reference from HMRC
9. My company’s current contracts with clients
10. My IELTS exam certificate
We also carried lots of other documents we had with us. In case, case worker asks for any. You never know
so it was worth taking all.I hope this will probably give you some idea and help you for your application and prevent you to give extra money to agents (which I don't find useful at all).
