In-Person applicants experiences

[tcpip_helper]

hi,

i've managed to get in-person appointment on 20th october 09 on Croydon. i applied via UKBA website on 18th september 09. i've received the email confirmation but not via sms.

i hope everything goes well according to my plan, i am currently on PSW with 9 months left.

[shinetk9]

Hi all

I am applying for my tier1 extension in person at Corydon on 7th Oct. I have some doubts in filling the application.


D) Immigration History

D2) where did the applicant obtain entry clearance or a visa before travelling to the United
Kingdom?

D3) What date was the entry clearance or visa issued?

Should I give the first UK visa stamped on my passport (in my case my first UK visa was business visit visa), or is it the HSMP visa stamped on my passport?


Dependent Form


H2.Has the main applicant received notification that their application for leave to remain under the Points Based System has been successful?

My dependent are applying with me, so what should be the answer for this I guess it should be NO


H4. Has the main applicant applied to have his/her application assessed in accordance with paragraphs 39-42 of the HSMP Forum Ltd. Judicial Review Policy Document?

What should be the answer for this?

Maintenance certified by the sponsor
J4. Tick to confirm that the dependant has sent:
A letter from the A-rated sponsor confirming that, where necessary, it will maintain and accommodate the dependant during his/her first month in the United Kingdom.
Should I tick this box?

help me please

[NishantJ]

Hi Everyone,

Last week got tier-1 general visa extension for 3 years, was converting from HSMP to Tier-1 general. I did it in person in the Croydon office. Here are some details which might help others:

1. Initially it was very difficult to get a appointment since it was always all booked. However one fine morning called exactly at 8:59 am and got a date after 6 weeks.

2. Prepared the application for myself and my wife (got a lot of help from this forum. thanks)

3. Appointment day, reached Croydon at 7:00 am (was travelling from Reading). Parked in Sainsbury parking in front of the Home office (across the road). Parking charges reasonable £5 for 5 hrs or so. Waited in the car park since my appointment was at 8:30 am, however now I think that I should have not wasted that time since when I reached the home office at 8:20am there was already a queue and they had already started processing, had to waste 30 mins (10 mins in the queue to get in, 20 mins in the queue to pay the fees) in the various queue even though I was just across the road from 7:00 am Sad

4. My papers where checked first at a counter on the ground floor, she gave me a token number and told me where to go to pay my fees, After paying fees at the 1st floor waited in the waiting area on the 1st floor. Waited for 15 mins, my number was called, gave all my papers to the case worker.
Do not staple your applications, the case workers just remove all the staples, my application got badly torn since I had used heavy duty stapler to staple it. Instead just use a binding clip or something like it which can be easily removed.

5. The case worker did not ask me any questions, I think my application was quite simple one. I just submitted my payslips and bank statement for the last 12 months, my passport,2 photos. That's it! since I had given other proof in my initial HSMP application 2 years back.

6. I was asked to wait for 1-2 hrs, went out to sainsbury to eat something, came back in 1.5 hrs. My name was called with the passports. Got the visa. The person who handed me the passport asked me to check it before I leave.

IMPORTANT: I found that the visa which was granted had a error, the passport number printed in my visa was wrong, it had 1 incorrect digit. I just happened to see that, the mistake was corrected but had to wait for 1 more hour, phew....

that's it.
Thanks to all the members in the forum.
Keep up the good work.

Nishant

[oceanboy_99]

Hi all,

I am writing to tell you my experience in having my permit successfully switched from student visa to Tier 1 General. I would like to thank the senior members (tvn_ramesh, push, chetanojha, nksg, and mvent00) and many others for your helpful guidance I obtained from this forum.

Yesterday, I attended my 11.00AM in-person appointment in Croydon, which I booked 6 weeks ago by calling the PEO number 08706067766 promptly at 8.58AM. Below is what happened chronologically:

1. Arrived at 10.05AM. Tried to queue for security check by joining the premium line indicated by a red paint on the floor. However, I was informed by the security guards to come back at 10.30AM. I thus rejoined the queue later (there were about 20 applicants in front of me). However, all of us still were not allowed to go through the security check as the security guards kept calling for 9.30AM and 10.00AM applicants (I had no idea why they were still waiting for them, it was already 10.45AM).

2. Finally, went through the airport-typed security check at 10.55AM and joined another queue. At 11.02 it was my turn to be seen by an officer who asked for my application form and passport. He then issued me a ticket (i.e. reference) number printed on a piece of paper (please keep this paper safe as you will need it throughout your entire application process). Was subsequently told to go up to the 1st floor for payment.
ATTENTION FOR NEW APPLICANTS: a new Tier 1 General form is now available (it is valid for applications made on or after 1 October 2009). Please see

Code: Select all

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=45400

However, I used the old application form as I was not aware of the new one. The officer did not complain either.

3. Paid at 11.35AM and was given a proof of receipt.

QUESTION: I am not sure why there are two separate counters, one for ticket-issuing and another for payment. One of them seems redundant to me as the tasks could be performed by one counter only.

4. Sat in the waiting lounge and listened carefully for my number to be called. In 10 minutes, it was announced and I was seen by a staff who went through my application form and supporting documents. It took her approximately 25 minutes and then she left for another 10 minutes to photocopy all the documents. At 12.25PM, I was told that my applications needed a further cross-referencing and that I should go out and come back to meet her in two hours. Brought my ticket number as I would need it to re-enter the building.

5. Came back at 2.25PM, I could see the counter at which I was previously seen was still close. Waited 10 minutes, she re-openned her counter. My number was called (but not by her). Went to another counter, which I believe was a counter dedicated for collection. Was told that my new visa was granted. However, I was not entirely happy as the expiry date of my new Tier 1 General visa is three years from yesterday. I was not fully satisfied because from this forum, I read people had their new visas valid for three years from the expiry dates of their current visas.

6. I therefore tried to speak to my original case worker. She said that the expiry date of my newly approved Tier 1 General visa is contingent on the type of my current visa. For a student visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years from the date the student apply. While for some other types of visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years after the expiry date of the current visas. Could anyone confirm this please? My student visa was supposed to be valid for another 5 months =(.

[gotcha]

Congratulations !

Yes,caseworker is right. Your's is initial application and will start from date of issue with 3 years validity. Cases you read are about extension applications.

[crowbar6]

6. I therefore tried to speak to my original case worker. She said that the expiry date of my newly approved Tier 1 General visa is contingent on the type of my current visa. For a student visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years from the date the student apply. While for some other types of visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years after the expiry date of the current visas. Could anyone confirm this please? My student visa was supposed to be valid for another 5 months =(.

Yes, the case worker is correct. Since you are currently on a Student visa and are being granted Tier-1 visa for the first time - this is not an extension case. However, if you were already on Tier-1 or HSMP and extending your stay (instead of switching) you would have got the visa 3 years from date of expiry of current leave.

[oceanboy_99]

6. I therefore tried to speak to my original case worker. She said that the expiry date of my newly approved Tier 1 General visa is contingent on the type of my current visa. For a student visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years from the date the student apply. While for some other types of visa, the new Tier 1 visa will valid for three years after the expiry date of the current visas. Could anyone confirm this please? My student visa was supposed to be valid for another 5 months =(.

Yes, the case worker is correct. Since you are currently on a Student visa and are being granted Tier-1 visa for the first time - this is not an extension case. However, if you were already on Tier-1 or HSMP and extending your stay (instead of switching) you would have got the visa 3 years from date of expiry of current leave.

Ok thanks gotcha and crowbar6.

[tcpip_helper]

infact its a good thing your 5 year time period for ILR starts immediately.

[anakin]

Can somebody who had traffic conviction and points on driving license post their in person visa extension experience please.
Will the case worker create any problems during the extension.
From my colleagues experience, the last check they run before issuing the visa is check for any convictions, so getting tense about it.

[push]

infact its a good thing your 5 year time period for ILR starts immediately.

5 year time period for ILR??

[tcpip_helper]

infact its a good thing your 5 year time period for ILR starts immediately.

5 year time period for ILR??

?????

[Lax]

Hi,
Iam holding Tier-2 Visa currently.
Iam Planning to apply for Tier-1 in person.
Can anyone share their experience and views on switching from Tier-2 to Tier-1 in person.

Thanks,
Lax

[extn.t1]

Hello All,

I would be filing extension of leave under tier-1 from hsmp shortly at Croyden.
Kindly request you to review the list of documents i would be submitting for the same.

Main Applicant documents:

1) Duly filled Tier 1 General extension application form (latest form released this month)

2) Separate 1 page Cover Letters for introduction,previous earnings,maintainance funds.

3) Age : 20 Points.
Evidence supplied in the initial HSMP application.

4) Qualification: 30 Points ( Bachelors degree).
Evidence supplied in the initial HSMP application.

5) Earnings: 45 Points.
Period Claimed: 1 Oct 2008 - 30 Sep 2009
Evidence:
i . 12 Months Payslips for claim period( a couple of payslips are signed and stamped from employer as i had lost them)
ii. Bank Statements ( 1st October 2008 to 30 September 2009)
iii. Letter from employer giving split up of each month's gross and net pay

6) UK Experience: 5 Points.
Evidence : Letter from employer mentioning start date,gross salary,potential bonus and designation

7) English Language Requirements: 10 Points.
Evidence supplied in the initial HSMP application.

8 ) Maintenance: 10 Points.
Evidence:
i. Payslips as part of previous earnings.
ii.Letter from bank mentioning the existance of minimum balance £1600 for well over 3 months and also salary credits done by my employer.

9) Passport

10) A copy of the points-based calculator self-assessment report.

Spouse:

1) Filled in latest Tier 1 PBS dependant application form released this month.
2) Passport
3) Original Marriage Certificate


Many thanks in advance
tier1.extn

[InUkOnHsmp]

Hi extn.t1,

Please find comments inline:

3) Age : 20 Points.
Evidence supplied in the initial HSMP application.

Not so sure about this, the guidance does not mention that it would not be required to send the evidence if it has been supplied with the initial HSMP application. Just mention in your cover letter that you are attaching your passport to be treated as evidence for this section.

8 ) Maintenance: 10 Points.
Evidence:
i. Payslips as part of previous earnings.
ii.Letter from bank mentioning the existance of minimum balance £1600 for well over 3 months and also salary credits done by my employer.

Payslips are not applicable evidence for maintenance requirement. Also the bank statement need not mention salary credits, unless you are using this for previous earnings as well. I think a single letter from the bank on official bank letterhead and stamped and signed by your bank saying that for the last 3 months period, (with start and end dates), your minimum balance was XXXX GBP, should suffice.

I am sure you are taking photographs with you, make sure they are not older than a month, and comply with the photo guidance set out by the UKBA.

Spouse:

1) Filled in latest Tier 1 PBS dependant application form released this month.
2) Passport
3) Original Marriage Certificate

Same comment about photographs.

[extn.t1]

Many thanks for your inputs.
It was a mistake in my earlier post.

Please find the corrections in BOLD.

Hi extn.t1,

Please find comments inline:

3) Age : 20 Points.
Evidence supplied in the initial HSMP application.

Not so sure about this, the guidance does not mention that it would not be required to send the evidence if it has been supplied with the initial HSMP application. Just mention in your cover letter that you are attaching your passport to be treated as evidence for this section.
i am submitting my passport here

8 ) Maintenance: 10 Points.
Evidence:
i. Payslips as part of previous earnings.
ii.Letter from bank mentioning the existance of minimum balance £1600 for well over 3 months and also salary credits done by my employer.

Payslips are not applicable evidence for maintenance requirement. Also the bank statement need not mention salary credits, unless you are using this for previous earnings as well. I think a single letter from the bank on official bank letterhead and stamped and signed by your bank saying that for the last 3 months period, (with start and end dates), your minimum balance was XXXX GBP, should suffice.

It was my mistake of not mentioning properly earlier.
i.bank statements as part of previous earnings.
ii Also have letter from bank on their letter head mentioning £1600 is in account for more than last 3 months

I am sure you are taking photographs with you, make sure they are not older than a month, and comply with the photo guidance set out by the UKBA.
Photos are as per UKBA spec and was taken last week

Spouse:

1) Filled in latest Tier 1 PBS dependant application form released this month.
2) Passport
3) Original Marriage Certificate

Same comment about photographs.

[extn.t1]

Ok so its my pay back time to this wonderful forum with so knowledgeable and helpful guys...
My special thanks to chetan,push and InUkOnHsmp

Summary:

Got through booking an appointment at Croydon 4 weeks ago after following the regular pattern of calling everyday at 8:59 a.m.Was asked to report at 9:30am as my alloted slot was at 10:00 am

Arrived at Croydon-PEO at 8:15 and was luckily allowed to get inside for security check.After the screening,the guard asked me to move to one of the counters at ground floor for initial check of my application.

Lady at the counter asked me the application forms and removed all the unwanted sections of 73 page form.She then asked me my bank statements for last 3 months.Upon checking my current account balance,she straight away told me that i do not qualify as maintainance funds are less than required.That was when i realised,i am at embassy

I then told her about my savings account and showed the letter from bank that i had taken with me as one of evidences.I was asked to show the photographs.

Finally she gave a print out which had the token number and asked to proceed for payment at first floor.On Completing the formalities of "premium service payment",i was asked to wait until my number was called.
Note:The sheet that had my token number also mentions the floor where we need to wait.

9:00 am : Caseworker called my number and i went to the appropriate counter to submit the application and docs.My caseworker was briefed about something by a senior embassy staff and i realised it was her debut today

I submitted my evidences explaining for the categories they belonged.

She had a glance of all the docs and asked me to come after 1 hour.It was 9:20 by then and the waiting time started.

10:45 am : Caseworker packed her bags and went for a break.It gave me some hope of the decision being made else she would have called me for clarifications.

11:15 am : I was called to report at the counter i submitted the docs and was told "your visa is granted for 3 years from today".I knew it was her mistake as she had granted the extension from today instead of the actual expiry date.I kept quiet as i did not want to disappoint her on her debut.Simply collected back all the evidences i had submitted,thanked her and came back at waiting zone.

12:15 pm : Was called at a different counter and handed over passport and new approval letters(these letters are just a print out mentioning the date of application,expiry dates and points granted.
I immediately told them the discrepancy of visa start date and was told to wait for 30mins more for the correction.

1:00 pm : Final call and fortunately there were no printing mistakes this time.Rechecked the passport and letters and was done with D-Day

Many thanks again for all the people on this forum who have been doing wonderful job of guiding the applicants.Please feel free to drop me a message if i could be of any help.

[InUkOnHsmp]

You are welcome pal, and many congratulations on your success!

I am awaiting my decision breathlessly. I am one of those extremely lucky people who could not get an in-person appointment, although my company was ready to pay for it. phew!

Another piece of luck, I paid by credit card still the payment was deducted 4 days after my app reached the HO.

Well enough gumbling from my side. Enjoy your success!!!

[Ums]

I had booked an online appt for today at 0945 at Croydon.

Arrived at 0800 and joined the queue at 0815. After security check was again in a queue till 0900. Went to the counter where I was told taht he was not checking any of my documents but could I confirm that I had everything. The officer said that the caseworker would have alook at the documents.

When the officer tried to see if I had the appt booked, he could not locate the appt. I had a printout of the online confirmation recd.

He spent 35 mins trying to figure out but could not see my appt anywhere in the system. He left the desk and went to see someone to see what could be done. came back at 0955 and said he had sorted out and told me to go to the First floor for payment and wait on the same floor for the caseworker.

It was already 1030 when I finished my payment.

Waited on the first floor for number to be called. Was finally called at 1100. The caseworker was indeed very polite and lovely.

She was happy that I had organised my documents and had postits on my bankstatements and commented on it. I had also submitted a spreadsheet (modified Chetan's)

She asked a few questions and after 65mins said she had to work at the documentation away from the counter.

Came back and said that it would take time to process and to come back after 2 hrs and either she or someone else would tell me "whatever the outcome". This did worry me. I asked if she needed any other documents and she said to keep my mobile on so that they could contact me if necessary.


Came back and waited till 1530 in front of her counter when she called and said that these things take time and that the ext is approved till 2012. I would have to wait some more time for visa to be stamped.

Finally recd the passports at 1630.

Paid £ 15.00 for parking at Addlers

[tcpip_helper]

Hi,

i booked my appointment on 18th sep via ukba online booking system and got the date for 20th oct at corydon. i was on psw with 9 months letf. my appointment was at 09:45 and i was at PEO corydon sharp at 09:15. There were not many people surprisingly in the queue. at the gate i went through the security and in the queue again for intial check of my application on the ground floor. the guy took few minutes to check my application and asked me to go on first floor for payment.

after taking the payment the cashier told me that my card is not valid as its starting date is from next month then i said yes i know but this card is activated and working then she asked her collegue and said ok, and yes i did call my Barclaycard yesterday to make sure my payment goes through.

straight after making the payment my token number was called and i went to see the relevant counter which was actually a customer service counter, the lady told me that i need to go on second floor.

i went to second floor and start waiting for my turn, 30 minutes gone and no luck then i realised something is wrong b/z most of the calls were for biometrics and students, i went to second floor customer service counter and asked them why my number hasn't been called she said if you are here for tier1 you should be on the first floor, i went again on first floor and tell the customer service lady, she said wait here and your number will be called soon.

within 10 minutes my num was called at about 11:00pm, the caseworker lady was nice and she asked me my application form and passport, after few minutes she said these kind of applications take time and i should come back after 2 hours.

i stayed in the building and at around 12:25 she called me again and said everything is fine and my application has been approved and it'll take further 45 minutes for my passport to get stamped. but within 10 minutes my number was called again and my passport was ready for collection, i checked all the details and left the building. my employers told me later that they didnt receive any call from home office to confirm my earnings.

one more thing that only the first floor cust service lady asked me to provide her my booking receipt and no one else bothered to check whether i've really booked my appointment, it was kind of strange to me.

my visa is issued for 3 years starting from today. if you need any help please let me know

[techie_09]

Dear All,

Today I got Tier-1 extension (from HSMP to Tier 1). I went for premium service and got my visa stamped along with dependents today.

PEO Name: Croydon
Visa Category: HSMP
Extension : Granted for 3 years from date of expiry. In my case I got it till Mar 2013

My experience was same as people mentioned in earlier posts except in my case it took longer than ususal.

Although my application was straightforward still caseworker took 4 hours to process it. Looks like she was new becuase I noticed she was bit uncomfortable and most of the time taking help with other fellow members. After another 2.5 hours I got my stamped passport.

Overall I am happy becasue I got the visa from date of expiry which was 4 months advance than application date.

Best wishes to other fellow applicants who are planning to apply.

Kind Regards

[vidya]

hi

just wanted to update my experience at glasgow peo

had in person appt yday at 9am for hsmp extension into tier 1 ....there were not many ppl in queue and just few for visa extension ....(most of there others were therefor the biometric id process)

we were called to a counter at 9.15am and handed over our papers , the case worker said hed call us back soon , and he called us an hour or so later ( arnd 10.30 ) and confirmed that papers are okay and he will issue 3 year LTR ....and then asked us to go to payment counter and pay .....one more person called us to another counter where he photocopied all our evidences and gave us back all papers except the passports and said that stamping takes one hour ....they called us before 12 and gave our ppts with visa stamped 3 years from feb 2010.
one thing i noted is that for other cases also they took payment only after processing the case , ....one other person had not got adequate evidence of maintenence funds ( his bank st were more than a month old ) theyde said they cant grant the extension till he submits the required proof, but they also did not take fees from his and granted his request to come back the very next day with the addl evidence and gave him a next day appt....

[TaliaNC]

I successfully made an initial application for a Tier 1 (general) visa this week at the Croydon Public Enquiries Office. I was switching from a Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa.

My appointment was at 9am. I arrived a little after 8 am, and got into the building fairly quickly as there's a different line for premium applicants (I did have to show my appointment confirmation number so I'm glad I printed the e-mail out!). I was seen by a man at one of the counters at reception, who checked my passport and my application form. He also looked at my bank statements to check I met the maintenance requirement (I guess this is the easiest thing for them to check before people pay).

I went to the 1st floor and paid (this took a while as their systems were a bit wonky and with me and the man before me they had to call the bank to verify the payment). I waited in the waiting area for a while I was called to a counter a little after 9am. The woman at the counter was nice. She asked for all of my documents and looked at them for a few minutes, then said she needed to do some checks and asked me to sit in the waiting area. She called me up once to ask about my Master's degree because she was having trouble getting the system to recognize it, but when I told her the category I'd put into the points based calculator online that sorted things out. At 10:30 she called me up again and said that I was being granted a 3 year visa, gave back most of my documents and said to go back to the waiting area while they put the visa in my passport. By 11:30 I had my visa and was good to go!

One thing to note is that the new visa starts on the date that it was issued, and not the date the other one expires a month later which is a little annoying.

Documents I presented were:
1. Passport
2. Savings account bank statements covering 3 months, for the maintenance requirement
3. 12 current account bank statements showing my salary payments for the earnings requirement
4. 12 payslips that showed the same payments (these weren't stamped or signed or anything because they were on non-plain payslip paper)
5. A letter from my employer listing all of those payments and dates (actually in three columns - gross pay, gross pay minus pension, and net pay) and explaining that the dates on the payslips would be after the date I was actually paid because the payslips are post-dated.

[push]

I successfully made an initial application for a Tier 1 (general) visa this week at the Croydon Public Enquiries Office. I was switching from a Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa.

My appointment was at 9am. I arrived a little after 8 am, and got into the building fairly quickly as there's a different line for premium applicants (I did have to show my appointment confirmation number so I'm glad I printed the e-mail out!). I was seen by a man at one of the counters at reception, who checked my passport and my application form. He also looked at my bank statements to check I met the maintenance requirement (I guess this is the easiest thing for them to check before people pay).

I went to the 1st floor and paid (this took a while as their systems were a bit wonky and with me and the man before me they had to call the bank to verify the payment). I waited in the waiting area for a while I was called to a counter a little after 9am. The woman at the counter was nice. She asked for all of my documents and looked at them for a few minutes, then said she needed to do some checks and asked me to sit in the waiting area. She called me up once to ask about my Master's degree because she was having trouble getting the system to recognize it, but when I told her the category I'd put into the points based calculator online that sorted things out. At 10:30 she called me up again and said that I was being granted a 3 year visa, gave back most of my documents and said to go back to the waiting area while they put the visa in my passport. By 11:30 I had my visa and was good to go!

One thing to note is that the new visa starts on the date that it was issued, and not the date the other one expires a month later which is a little annoying.

Documents I presented were:
1. Passport
2. Savings account bank statements covering 3 months, for the maintenance requirement
3. 12 current account bank statements showing my salary payments for the earnings requirement
4. 12 payslips that showed the same payments (these weren't stamped or signed or anything because they were on non-plain payslip paper)
5. A letter from my employer listing all of those payments and dates (actually in three columns - gross pay, gross pay minus pension, and net pay) and explaining that the dates on the payslips would be after the date I was actually paid because the payslips are post-dated.

It always starts from the day it is approved (unless asked for post dating,that too in case of initial entry). Check the expiry date- thats the only important thing.

[TaliaNC]

It expires 3 years from the day it was approved, which is what annoys me a bit, as I could have gotten an extra month. But ultimately in my case it's extremely unlikely I'll be here that long so don't care, just a heads up for others. Can you ask them to post-date it?

[niceguyinuk]

Hi all

Tier 1 general extension can be done in the PEO? I saw in the home office website the extension to the HSMP is not available at PEO.

Please help me