Dear readers,
First, thanks to the forum moderators & members for their wonderful contribution to the immigrant community. Probably saving people from spending money on hiring solicitors.
I particularly benefited from it in a way that if I didn’t read the
ILR FAQ, I would have spent £1493 extra, unnecessarily, by applying for ILR for my UK born child. Thus, I felt that I should contribute back to the community by sharing my experience.
ILR (Main applicant)
Category: Tier 1 (General)
Switched to this category (in country): July 2009
Dependants: 0
PEO: Croydon
Documents provided:
• Appointment confirmation email x 1
• Payment sheet x 1
• Self-assessment summary x 1
• Application form x 1
• Photo x 2
• BRP x1
• Passports x 2 (current and previous)
• Life in the UK pass certificate x 1
• Recent HMRC Employment History x 1 (very important as my Payslips/P60 were online ones and my 12 month earning period was exactly the 2013-14 tax calendar period)
• eP60/Online P60 x 1
• Online Payslips x 12 (not signed or stamped by employer/HR)
• Personal bank statements (corresponding to payslips)
• Cash ISA Statement (as a proof of maintenance fund)
• Peronal letter of absence + e-tickets
• Photocopy set of above documents
Documents kept in hand as a backup:
• Last 5 years' P60s
• HMRC Employment History (Last 5 years)
• UK Msc Degree Certificate
• Latest Bank Statements
PEO Process:
• Wait at ground floor waiting room to be called for appointments for particular time slot after entry into the building
• Go through airport style security checks
• Take Lift to 3rd floor
• Go to Reception desk for verification of appointment, correct form & payment. If everything is fine a ticket number is generate and given to the applicant
• Go to Case registration (data entry into their system) after token is called with counter number. You will be asked to put all your documents into official pouch
• Biometric Registration & submitting of the official pouch
• Wait at the cafeteria
Application stage statuses
Application stages shown on monitor while waiting at cafeteria are:
• Biometric verification (against police database)
• Awaiting consideration
• Under consideration (here if case worker needs more info they might ask your ticket number to go to specific counter or call your mobile)
• Ready for collection
• Collection (As decision has been made, your ticket will be called to go to specific counter to collect the Home Office decision letter and your documents. Your old BRP will be kept by Home Office on successful application.)
BRP delivery
New BRP will be posted to your address given in application form. “DX Secure” tried to deliver mine on the 2nd working day and missed. I collected my BRP from one their offices/collection point later on.
Hope this helps.
Thank you & good luck with your ILR application.