ILR experience at Belfast PEO

[nilaamutram]

Just wanted to share my experience at the PEO at Belfast, as I could not find any such info when I tried on the board here before I went for my ILR application. I live in Northern Ireland, and it was convenient that there is a PEO in Belfast now. I could not book any appointment online, so booked an appointment through telephone.

I applied ILR for myself and my wife who was my dependent. My 5 years period started on 29/09/2006 when my passport was stamped with a work permit. I was already living and working in the UK at that time. I switched over to HSMP on 27/03/2007. Tier 1 LTR extension was stamped on 04/04/2009 and was/is valid until 27/03/2012. However, as my 5 years period was closeby, I decided to apply for ILR. You never know what new regulations might the Home Office bring in.

My experience at the Belfast PEO was very pleasant. My appointment was at 11:15 am. I arrived at 10:35 am, and was already past security at 10:45 am. They took off my mobile phone and car key and gave me a token to collect them on return. There was an airport like scanner security which was straight forward. They ushered me in to a seating area.

By 10:50 am, the receptionist in counter no. 1 called me to issue a token. My number was 5. The reception counter 1 is not named Reception, but strangely as "Security".

By 10:55 pm, a case worker called me at an adjacent counter, and took my application and all supporting documents. She said she would take 15 minutes to look at them. I supplied her with all photocopies too. She scrutinized everything and promptly called me back at 11:10 am. She gave me all the original documents back, and kept the photocopies. She asked me to pay the money at the first counter.

By 11:20am, I had paid the fee by credit card. I was asked to sit and wait again. I did not wish to go out and return later after an hour or so. So I just sat there and waited.

At 11:50am, I was called to another counter (counter 6) where my passports were returned to me with the ILR stamps affixed. I checked them and signed a sheet saying everything was in order. I got my mobile and keys back and was out at 11:55 am!

Everything was streamlined, and staff were all pleasant. The securityman and security woman were efficient, the girls at the counters looked barely out of college, and were very polite and efficient.

For anyone travelling from mainland Britain, it would be best to take a taxi from the airport to the PEO if you are flying into Belfast City airport. However, if you are flying into the Belfast International airport, it is better if you take a bus into the city centre Europa bus station, and take a taxi from there. Direct taxi is expensive as it is too far outside the city. Never take the black cabs in Belfast or at the airport, as they are very expensive too. Value cabs and FonaCab are inexpensive, you can find their phone numbers online. They would take 10 minutes or so to arrive to take you.

There is a HomeBase retail centre adjacent (30 metres from the PEO gate!) to the PEO, and there is a huge parking lot there. PEO does not have any parking space for applicants. There is a shopping mall called Forest Side just opposite to the PEO. You can find Sainsbury's, cash machines etc there. There are few fast food eateries in the area.

My experience at the Belfast PEO was very good, and was 10 times more pleasant than Glasgow where I had been to some years ago. (Anyway, you would agree Glasgow / Croydon etc are 100 times more pleasant than HCI London!). There was no crowding and there was no officiousness about the business there.

The douments I submitted:

1. Application SET(O)
2. 2 photos each with names at the back
3. 12 months pay slips
4. 12 months salary account statements
5. 5 years P60 certificates
6. Tier 1 LTR extension letter
7. HSMP approval letter
8. Work permit employment document
9. Work permit LTR approval letter
10. Pay slips while I worked on work permit
11. Bank statements while I worked on work permit
12. All job contracts
13. Life in the UK test pass notifications for both of us

(They did not even keep a photocopy for items 10,11,12. So I assume they do not require this)

For Co Habitation, these are what I submitted (yes, that is all):
1. Marriage Certificate (they did not even keep a photocopy of this)
2. 2 years joint bank account statements
3. Both our Driving licence counterpart
I had several other documents for cohabitation, but did not volunteer them, nor did they ask for anything more. I carried a lot of other general documents, just in case they ask for anything. But the above seemed to be enough.

All the best to everyone going for LTR!

[dr_raihan29]

many thanks for sharing your experience at the belfast PEO! as I have mentioned in my other posts I actually live near forestside and it would be very very convinient for me to apply for my ILR(hsmp pre nov 2006 JR) at belfast rather than travelling to birmingham/croydon, and from my experience in being in belfast for the last 6 years, yes I can imagine them to be much more polite than any mainland peo. The only reason I am still undecided to choose between belfast and croydon is that I am applying under JR and whether or not they will be upto the mark with me applying without LIUK, criminality threshold, 12 months evidence etc. I just want a simple hastle free day service and still wondering should i go to croydon where they have more experience in processing similar pre Nov 2006 applications, have travel plans in november and really don't my passport to get stuck. :-(........any thoughts guys?

[ramay]

Hi nilaamutram! Do you remember is any of your absences were more than 90 at a stretch and 180 in total?

[ramay]

HI dr_raihan29!
Which Peo have you chosen then?