ILR 10 years success at PEO Croydon

[Swan]

hi all
I just wanted to share my successful experience as i just came back from croydon today

I applied for ILR under 10 years long residency, i had the following visas:
- 3 student visas from 1999 till 2006, the second visa (extension) was delayed by the home office but i applied before the expiry of the first visa so it was ok
- SEGS 2006-2007
- Work permit from 2007-2009 (still hasn't expired!)

I had no gaps in between and haven't been absent for more than 6 months in one go (my longest was three months and 10 days), the total number of months i was absent during the whole 10 years was 10 months and something ...



It was a very smooth process and not as difficult as I thought it would be, i had a suitcase full of all proofs and documents, didn't have to use any of them to my surprise ! All I was asked for was:
- the application form (SET(O)) which i filled clearly and included a separate sheet deatiling the dates of absences and the reasons
- My passport (I had two, an old one and a new one)
-My police regisration certificate
-My life in the UK test pass certificate

in other words only the documents mentioned on the application form nothing else

I am going to tell how it happened in detail simply because I found it so useful to read other people's experiences before i went, it helped to reassure me and calm me down..I hope this will be helpfull to others too
so this is how the day went

My appointment was for 10 am, I was told to be there 30 mns before that, I drove with my husband to croydon, joined a small queue in Lunar house entrance at 9:30, we were asked if we had an appointment, there were 2 lines one for visas and one for biometrics, so we joined the visas one and waited until we were let in, I was surprised as I wasn't even asked for my reference number, we then went through the security check just like the airport,the staff were very friendly. We then joined another queue we were asked by a door lady if we had an application form and passports, she then asked what type of visa i was here for, I said long residency, she said yes but what is it student or workpermit (doesn't make sense !! it's long residency it could be both) ..I said long residency 10 years , she said yes they are all long residency ???!!! I then remembered a post i read on this forum about the same comment made to someone, so i calmed down and decided to let it go and said ..yes workpermit !! she obviously didn't have a clue ! and insisted she was right ...any way ...she then asked us to wait until a counter became available, 5 mns later we were called and asked to hand in the passports and documents, he then issued us with a ticket with a reference and asked us to go to the firts floor for payment. I used a credit card and paid the painful £1020, then was asked to wait in the waiting area for my ref number to be called.
We got a bit confused with the calling system, we had a reference number starting with a letter (L39) the screen displays numbers and an automated voice calls the numbers loudly (for biometrics) , but none of them had a letter infront of it.
We then realised that there were two types of numbers, and those with letters infront of their numbers will be called by another person(the caseworker himself), I must admit, it wasn't easy to hear the second voice with the other loud and ongoing calling for biometrics.(I have a headache from that noise!).
We finally got called an hour late (11 am instead of 10 am), the lady (very friendly) asked me for the passports etc..and said that it might take time because it's long residency and they have to check the absences and visas etc..she then started entering infos on the computer, 10 mns later she said, everything seems fine, we just need to check everything and process your application, you can either go and come back in 2 hours or wait, when you come back don't queue up just come straight to me. Fine we went to the shopping centre and had some food and relaxed ....came back, teh counter was closed, she then came and told me, your application was fine just wait by the customer service counter to get your passport ...waited for another 30 mins then got the call and the passport with the ILR stamp ....it was 2pm !

a long day but worth the wait, my advice is to get organised, have everything ready and get your absence dates sorted and clearly written.
and do not stress, if you have no gaps in your visas and nothing is wrong with your application, there is really no reason to get stressed..
it's just a shame my husband couldn't apply with me (the 10 year settlement doesn't allow dependents), it would have been a very happy day for us..

good luck to anyone who is applying

[iyanu]

Swan congrats!

That was a smooth one too!

Hope your husband can now get his now after yours...just kidding!


Best of luck and thanks for the wonderful description, that was 'wicked'.

[Swan]

Swan congrats!

That was a smooth one too!

Hope your husband can now get his now after yours...just kidding!


Best of luck and thanks for the wonderful description, that was 'wicked'.

thanks I tried to summarise as much as possible

we have to post and keep each other informed, i learnt so much from this forum and saved so much time and effort and the least i can do is write a few lines
my husband's case is more complex unfortunately (right of renetion after
divorcing an EEA, he is in the appeal process )..we are still waiting ...

thanks for the comment ...

ILR Swan

[paulmu]

Swan, thanks for sharing your PEO Croydon experience.

Having now read a number of ILR applications from different PEO offices, it would seem as though offices outside of London have many advantages to their London counterparts, namely (1) ease of getting an early appointment; (2) friendly and competent staff; (3) relatively quiet without the noise that you described; (4) ease of parking; and (5) a bit of sight-seeing as well whilst waiting for stamping of passport!

[magsi23]

Swan congrats!

That was a smooth one too!

Hope your husband can now get his now after yours...just kidding!


Best of luck and thanks for the wonderful description, that was 'wicked'.

thanks I tried to summarise as much as possible

we have to post and keep each other informed, i learnt so much from this forum and saved so much time and effort and the least i can do is write a few lines
my husband's case is more complex unfortunately (right of renetion after
divorcing an EEA, he is in the appeal process )..we are still waiting ...

thanks for the comment ...

ILR Swan

Conratulations to you Swan, did you have any gaps in your visa's? i am in similar situation as you are, 3 student visa's and then work permit since 2004.

[Swan]

Swan congrats!

That was a smooth one too!

Hope your husband can now get his now after yours...just kidding!


Best of luck and thanks for the wonderful description, that was 'wicked'.

thanks I tried to summarise as much as possible

we have to post and keep each other informed, i learnt so much from this forum and saved so much time and effort and the least i can do is write a few lines
my husband's case is more complex unfortunately (right of renetion after
divorcing an EEA, he is in the appeal process )..we are still waiting ...

thanks for the comment ...

ILR Swan

Conratulations to you Swan, did you have any gaps in your visa's? i am in similar situation as you are, 3 student visa's and then work permit since 2004.

thanks magsi, I didn't have any gaps in my visas as i said one of them took about 5 months to be processed at the HO but it wasn't my fault, i had the aknowledgement letter from teh HO to prove that i submitted the application for the extension before the previous visa expired, i also had my SAR report which clearly showed the date of the receipt of the application, so i was prepared to fight to my surprise but they didn't even mention that, it showed on their system and they didn't ask questions, they seemed to be giving a lot of importance to the police registration certificate too, i noticed the agent looking at the last address change on the police certificate and compare it with my current address (on teh application form), thank god i always reported my change of address, especially the current one...

do you have gaps in your visas ?

[Swan]

Swan, thanks for sharing your PEO Croydon experience.

Having now read a number of ILR applications from different PEO offices, it would seem as though offices outside of London have many advantages to their London counterparts, namely (1) ease of getting an early appointment; (2) friendly and competent staff; (3) relatively quiet without the noise that you described; (4) ease of parking; and (5) a bit of sight-seeing as well whilst waiting for stamping of passport!

very good analysis paulmu, i totally agree, from my friends experiences and reading the posts, i also realised that getting as far away from london as possible would be better, but had no choice, the appt i got was the only one available in the uk at the time !
the parking cost us about 6 pounds, don't even mention the noise again, i will have to get a really good night sleep to get it out of my head lol
having said this i am still pleased and consider imy experience a smooth one, i was really prepared for the worst (from what i heard!)

[magsi23]

thanks magsi, I didn't have any gaps in my visas as i said one of them took about 5 months to be processed at the HO but it wasn't my fault, i had the aknowledgement letter from teh HO to prove that i submitted the application for the extension before the previous visa expired, i also had my SAR report which clearly showed the date of the receipt of the application, so i was prepared to fight to my surprise but they didn't even mention that, it showed on their system and they didn't ask questions, they seemed to be giving a lot of importance to the police registration certificate too, i noticed the agent looking at the last address change on the police certificate and compare it with my current address (on teh application form), thank god i always reported my change of address, especially the current one...

do you have gaps in your visas ?

Yes i do have a gap of 11 and 5 days, again due to no fault of mine i did submit application on time but i dont have anything to proove it, i have asked for my SAR report today infact lets see when it arrives will keep you posted, do you mind listing the documents you needed for 10 year long residency? as you said you took whole case full of documents i might not have as many documents so want to be sure, it would be a great help.

Many thanks

[Swan]

thanks magsi, I didn't have any gaps in my visas as i said one of them took about 5 months to be processed at the HO but it wasn't my fault, i had the aknowledgement letter from teh HO to prove that i submitted the application for the extension before the previous visa expired, i also had my SAR report which clearly showed the date of the receipt of the application, so i was prepared to fight to my surprise but they didn't even mention that, it showed on their system and they didn't ask questions, they seemed to be giving a lot of importance to the police registration certificate too, i noticed the agent looking at the last address change on the police certificate and compare it with my current address (on teh application form), thank god i always reported my change of address, especially the current one...

do you have gaps in your visas ?

Yes i do have a gap of 11 and 5 days, again due to no fault of mine i did submit application on time but i dont have anything to proove it, i have asked for my SAR report today infact lets see when it arrives will keep you posted, do you mind listing the documents you needed for 10 year long residency? as you said you took whole case full of documents i might not have as many documents so want to be sure, it would be a great help.

Many thanks

Magsi, what i took was just what i thought they might ask in case of a problem, it was totally down to my own judgement (wage slips, bank statements, even my degrees that i achieved by studying here in the uk, employment letter, i also asked my bank for a history of my transactions since i opened the account with them 10 years ago, i thought i would use the info in case they ask me about teh absences because some of the entry stamps on my passport by the airport staff in my country were fading, ..ect) so i thought by showing activity in my bank account i could prove that i wasn't out of the uk around the fading dates

but at the end, all these documents were irrelevant because it's a 10 year long residency and all you have to prove is that there were no gaps in your visas and no absences over the required period. It is good to be prepared though !
I listed above in my post the documents they asked me for today which were exactly the same as the ones mentioned in the SET(O) application form. nothing more !
in your case if you say you submitted your application in time, your SAR report will definetely show it. i think it's wise to wait for it before you go..

[magsi23]

Swan thanks for your quick response, Why did u have to provide Police registration? i never had to register with police,, what nationality are you if you dont mind me asking? also how long did you have to wait for your SAR report?

[munisa]

My appointment was for 10 am, I was told to be there 30 mns before that, I drove with my husband to croydon, joined a small queue in Lunar house entrance at 9:30,

good luck to anyone who is applying

Hi SWAN,
I phoned PEO today and got an appointment for Croydon on 27th May. Your experience is very good and thanks for sharing with us and also for wishing us good luck! Seems I should have asked for another PEO eg Sheffield, but with HO you take the first opportunity that comes given their swinging moods. Question: Would they let you in if you arrive 30 mins before your appointment time?

[Swan]

My appointment was for 10 am, I was told to be there 30 mns before that, I drove with my husband to croydon, joined a small queue in Lunar house entrance at 9:30,

good luck to anyone who is applying

Hi SWAN,
I phoned PEO today and got an appointment for Croydon on 27th May. Your experience is very good and thanks for sharing with us and also for wishing us good luck! Seems I should have asked for another PEO eg Sheffield, but with HO you take the first opportunity that comes given their swinging moods. Question: Would they let you in if you arrive 30 mins before your appointment time?

Hi munisa
i also tried sheffield but it wasn't available, don't worry as i said if you have everything in order, most of the staff members were very friendly and helpful, i don't know whether you will be allowed in before 30 mns but i guess they will, no one asked us what time is your appointment, they were letting everyone in, the question is whether you will be seen before your appointment time,..i really don't know ....they do insist that you shouldn't be there before 30 mns ..so i would keep it simple and do as they say ..

good luck with your application

[Swan]

Swan thanks for your quick response, Why did u have to provide Police registration? i never had to register with police,, what nationality are you if you dont mind me asking? also how long did you have to wait for your SAR report?

I am from Algeria, when i first came to the UK (and so did my friends from Algeria, and Turkey as well), the immigration officer in the airport stamped my passport, the stamp said must register with the police within 7 days, during the whole 10 years, we had to report any changes of address/visa status/landing to the overseas section of the police.
I am surprised you are saying you don't have to do it, where are you from?
I am no expert but i thought everyone who is not from the EU had to register which explains the huge queue in the police registration office in Borough (near london bridge) but may eb certain countries are exempt?

someone please shed some light on this if you know better


about the SAR it took 40 days all together to get it, do a keyword search about SAR in this forum, there are many people who posted about it in this forum (i did too)

hope this helps

[troyguy21]

I'm not sure if non EU immigrants from all categories are asked to register with the police. I came in 2004 on HSMP and I was not asked to do this. Not sure if those on WP are also asked to do so but someone needs to confirm this. I don't know the criteria used or if certain non EU coutries are exempted

[magsi23]

You do not need to register with Police if your commonwealth citizen which is what i am

Thanks alot for your help Swan and wish you all the best

[Jay4you]

Hi Swan;

Congratulation on getting you ILR & many thanks for your advice. I am going to apply for 10 year ILR soon & wondering if you can guide me towards what “Application formâ€

[Swan]

[quote="Jay4you"]Hi Swan;

Congratulation on getting you ILR & many thanks for your advice. I am going to apply for 10 year ILR soon & wondering if you can guide me towards what “Application formâ€

[Jay4you]

[quote="Swan"][quote="Jay4you"]Hi Swan;

Congratulation on getting you ILR & many thanks for your advice. I am going to apply for 10 year ILR soon & wondering if you can guide me towards what “Application formâ€

[magsi23]

Hi Swan, i hope your good, Just another quick question, did you fill Section 5 (your Home and Finances) of SET(0) form? i am bit confused, as it says You are not required to complete this section if you are applying in ex-HM Forces, Long residence in the UK or bereaved partner categories?

If i am reading it right under Long residency i am not required to fill this section?

[Swan]

Hi Swan, i hope your good, Just another quick question, did you fill Section 5 (your Home and Finances) of SET(0) form? i am bit confused, as it says You are not required to complete this section if you are applying in ex-HM Forces, Long residence in the UK or bereaved partner categories?

If i am reading it right under Long residency i am not required to fill this section?

hi Magsi, I am fine thanks, enjoying the last couple of days of my easter break
no you don't have to fill it in because you are applying under 10 years long residency and the form clearly states it
However I did fill mine just in case, i didn't provide any proofs or wage slips but i had them with me on the day just in case they wanted to see them, but they didn't ask for them all she asked quickly was are you on a work permit now, i said yes..that was it !

make sure you have all your passports including the first one you used to enter the UK

[magsi23]

As always you are so quick to response , so if get this correct under 10 year you do not need to show them any financial stuff, bank statements, payslips etc. I can carry the stuff with me just incase they ask for it, however if i send the application by post what do i do then? do i send the bank statements, payslips, employer letter etc or not?

[Swan]

As always you are so quick to response , so if get this correct under 10 year you do not need to show them any financial stuff, bank statements, payslips etc. I can carry the stuff with me just incase they ask for it, however if i send the application by post what do i do then? do i send the bank statements, payslips, employer letter etc or not?

you are welcome, i don't think i will be this quick when i get back to work on monday really not looking forward to it lol

if i were to send by post i would include some proof of income just in case, but for same day, i would just keep them handy and just show them if they ask,
a friend of mine sent hers in september by post and included few proofs, she got it after 3 months, but i don't know if it was any helpful...
if it is not a requirement, they have no right to ask for it

this is just my opinion

[magsi23]

Hi Swan its me again

For 10 year Long residency what is the max time allowed outside UK (Absences) ?, i have had 190 days outside UK in last 10 years and max length i have been oustide on single trip is 31 days, do you know at all?

All the best for Monday

[Swan]

Hi Swan its me again

For 10 year Long residency what is the max time allowed outside UK (Absences) ?, i have had 190 days outside UK in last 10 years and max length i have been oustide on single trip is 31 days, do you know at all?

All the best for Monday

Hi again Magsi
from what I know (double check on this forum or on the UKBA webiste) for 10 years long residency, you shouldn't be absent for more than 6 months in one go, and not more than 18 months in total for the whole 10 years, so you should be absolutely fine.
as i said double check to make sure
take care

[magsi23]

yes i just checked on one of the sites and you are right. many thanks once again