Hope this helps to all who are going through the process-
My situation –
WP for last 5 yrs. Same employer
EC valid from – 20th Jun 2006
First entry in UK – 06 Aug 2006
Date of ILR application – 26th MAY 2011 @ Croydon – 12:00 noon
Result: ILR granted
Dependents: wife & UK born baby
Two points and for which I feel makes it very important to post my experience about my ILR and the process
1. There is an initial gap between by EC granted and entry to UK which is of 47 days. My WP leave was valid till 20th Jun 2011 and hence I applied for 26th May. This was based on revised Calculation of continuous 5 year period guidance. In my case though I was not there in this country for 4 yrs 11 months before I applied I think they have used the clause from this document and hence my clock was started from 20th Jun 2006 and not from 06 Aug 2006.
2. As my daughter is UK born we did not add her to my ILR application. We are planning, and I have confirmed with British nationality authorities, that she is eligible for registration immediately after we (parents) get settled status.
Documents carried
• Appointment confirmation letter
• Detailed covering letter having Personal absences
• SET(O) forms
• Photographs with name on the back
• Passports
• Life in the UK certificates
• Workpermit copy
• 60 months salary slips
• 60 yrs bank statement
• 60 months Savings bank statements
• 5 yrs P60s
Employment letters
• Original employment contract
• Employment letter – specifying the current designation, salary (with confirmation that it is above the one set in code of practise for equivalent job description)
• Business travel letter
• Latest Promotion letter
RESIDENCE PROOF & CO-HABITATION
• Mortgage statements
• Land Registry Certificate
• Electrol roll registration certificate
• Council tax letters 2008-11
• Driving Licence counterpart for both of us
• Water Bills 2008-11
• Electrc and Gas bill 2008-11
• Marriage certificate
• NHS registration cards.
• NI number cards for both of us
I know these are more than enough documents but personally my preference was take more than (and everything I have) required. You never know when you need what depending on what sorts of questions that may arise during interview. So having more than one document to support your response would help.
I had separate plastic folder for each document sorted by the type.
For the absences I added appendix to my conveying letter and added all dates with the details of the page number for relevant immigration stamps.
I kept 3 payment pages ready with 3 different card details just in case the one I am planning to use does not work for some reason or declines the payment. This was extra precaution even after calling them and informing in advance of the possible payment. Being an IT consultant I am well aware of systems goofing-up at crucial time
I was at the gate at 11:20 am
Questions, Documents asked on the verification counter at the ground floor:
• Appointment confirmation to start with.
• Completed Form O
• Life in the UK Pass letter
• My current passport
• Letter from employer
• 3 months of payslips.
• She asked me if I had been in the same job
• Confirmed whether there are any absences more than 90 days and total absences which are unpaid. In my case there were none unpaid but I had total 178 absences. 101 of these were business related and 77 personal leaves inline with annual vacations.
She then stamped my form and given my the token number
After that I had been asked to go on the first floor and pay the fees. After paying (payment went on first card!) the waiting game began. My appointment was at 12 and all the above was done by 11:40 am so I was hoping to talk to case worker by 12 but I had to wait till 1.45pm. It was too noisy and too busy there and hence in a fear of missing the announcement, I asked on the service desk (counter 22) whether my number has been called. The lady said “no we are running late it will be called soon.â€
