My first post. Have been an avid user of this forum for quite a while.
My story:
My case is straight forward. 5 year work permit. Worked for the same employer. Only 59 days out of UK. Still went through solicitor just to make sure that I am not missing out on anything.
Applied same day premium appointment at Cardiff PEO on 15th November 2012.
Documents:
SET(0) form
Photos with names at the back
Passports (2 [expired and new] for me and 1 for wife)
5 X P60
3 X Pay slips
Bank statement
Employer reference letter
LIUK pass letters
Absences confirmation from employer
Previous UKBA correspondence (Original WP and salary rise confirmation)
Cohabitation:
Marriage certificate
Court notice for wife's name change
Bank statement
Our appointment was at 9:30am. Reached at 9am. Told by security to come at 9:30am. Waited at bus stop and went at 9:30am. After the check, we were given a tag for our bag and let in. Security told us to go directly to window 6 which is premium. The lady at the window smiled and welcomed us and asked me if I was the main applicant and I nodded positive. Then asked if I am employed and have I ever been convicted. I answered yes and no respectively. Then asked for the application form and then all the documents I wanted to submit. I gave her the form and the documents. Then we were told to wait until they call us.
Around 9:40am she called us for biometrics. My wife's details were correct on the biometrics form. Her fingerprints and photo were taken. My birth date and middle name were wrong on the form. The lady asked me to sign the form with wrong details on, marked a star and said not to worry and that she will sort it. Then my fingerprints and photo were taken. By this time it was 10:40am. We were given a map of Cardiff and told to leave to see Cardiff.
We went to the high street, ate something and around 2pm, a lady (who was another lady i.e. our case worker, different from the one who took our documents and biometrics) called from the UKBA saying there was some problem with our biometrics and we have to redo them. We discovered that the signed form with wrong details was rejected by the system (or human) and the same first lady did it all again. And then she told that your case worker would like to have a word with you. I was delighted that she will give the approval letter.
Then the case worker came and said that our application was valid and there was nothing to worry about. They don't need any more documents, but a decision cannot be made same day because ONE OF THE STANDARD CHECKS THAT WE MAKE COULD NOT BE COMPLETED TODAY. So there is no point you guys waiting here. (By this time, I was fairly aware as to what she was driving at). She continued - one of my colleagues could complete the check same day and one took 2 weeks to complete, so as soon as I complete it I will post the documents to your solicitor. She never told us what the STANDARD CHECK was that takes 1 day - 2 weeks. (I work in the IT industry myself and on time/business critical systems and can't believe that such a top Govt. agency does not have systems in place to verify something same day within or outside the country. Anyway.)
We were about to leave and I just discovered we have no proof of either payment or application submission. NO ONE OFFERED IT ON THEIR OWN. It is a regulatory requirement to provide a proof of receipt of any payment/application. Anyway.
I went to the counter and asked for a letter. And in 5 minutes time I was given a FURTHER INQUIRIES letter with approximate 5 days time. But the letter was just in my name (And the lady [this was a third lady] said that she did not notice that it was a joint application). So we had to ask one for my wife as well.
The five days limit was over on Thursday 22 November 2012. No response so far.
- FAQ
- Login
- Register
- Call Workpermit.com for a paid service +44 (0)344-991-9222
. 
I did had 123 days out in first year which are now covered anyways with all this added wait. I am hoping to get decision soon...