First things first. thanks a zillion for the guys in the forum. It helped and helps lots of people. I guess every case is bit different from others, sharing this info is very usefull and make like easier.
Route: WP+HSMP+Tier 1
- WP : Aug 2005 to Jan 2007
HSMP: Feb 2007 to Jan 2010
Tier 1: Jan 2010 to Aug 2010.
Workpermits: I guess its Almost 5.
I came thru an Indian company in Aug 2005 in their own workpermit, but was working for a client (this is actually illegal), since my client workpermit is not ready my company did this. After 2 months it got transfered to the client's name. WP is valid till Dec 2007. But project got complited and went back to India in July 2006, with in 3 weeks my company processed another workpermit and entry clearance in india for a different client. Came to UK in Sept 2006 (almost 2 months Gap). New WP valid till Dec 2008.
Note: Till now I dont know whether my company issued any NPCEE for the first work permit. I tried applying SAR but did not get information regarding that.
In July 2007 applied for a local company which sponsered my workpermit. So I resigned from my company in Aug and went to india for some personal work. Before leaving I processed my Visa stamping for new workpermit in UK itself. I came back in Sept 2007 after 4 weeks of holiday.
My new company boss (my friends friend) had two companies, he merged them to one. so after 1.5 month, I got transfered my workpermit to the other company name. I applied for HSMP and got it approved in Oct 2007. I applied for stamping in Jan 2008 and got it in 2 weeks. I resigned from the new company (just 4 months in total) and started my own company.
From Feb 2008 till now I am doing contracting thru my company. Applied for extension in Oct 2009 and got Tier 1. I did not disclose that I own a company, I take salary from that company and showed the salary slips and bank statement.
I applied ILR y'day in Cryodon. Again I did not tell that I own the company, I applied as salaried person. Its complex if its a self-employed, I need to show my previous accounts statments, my current contracts and statements and letter from accounts. So I dont want to take this risk of missing some documents. Salaried is straight forward.
Documents submitted
- last 3 months pay slip and corresponding bank statments (May to July)
5 years P60
all workpermit and hsmp letters
current employer letter
life in UK test
absense letter from pervious employer with dates in it and also payslips for that period and bank statment
- all P45
driving license
rental agreement and utility bills
all payslips of my indian company (they dont pay tax so in P60's the tax was just 100+ pounds for 1 year), so I took payslips and bank statements for those period, to prove that my income.
Appointment at 8:00, after security check and initial applicatoin check paid my fees. During myy initial application he just asked for my application and passport thats it. My case was called at 9:05 and went to the counter, there were lots of questions around my visa's because of the complexity. I explained everything. almost after 1:20 mins in the counter, the case worker said my PR is apporved. I was sitting before him and answering all the questions. I was out of country for 190 days (including 66 days official trip). My first passport is full of stampings so I prepared an excel on whats stamps in each page and also another one explaining my outside trave and which airport/train/sea port ( i used to travel to france my air, sea and trains) and which page in passport has the relevant stamping.
I was so nervious during that 1:20 mins of questioning and processing. And within 30 mins I got my passport, came out at 11:00. I have no word to describe the moment.
Important Notes:
Visa Debit card is valid. I guess almost all valid UK cards they accept.
There is a clause that if there is a GAP in visa and if its not more than 3 months then discrtionary will be applied. In my case I went to India after 1 year and came back in new visa and WP with in 8 weeks. But dont know whether my company issued any NPCEE. I went a head on m own because even if NPCEE is issued and I came back in 8 weeks so I was eligible for that clause. My case worker was strssing for this saying when is the latest entry to UK which makes my second vis. But explained him that I was on holiday and my emplyer wants me to work for new client so processed new WP and visa whilst me on holiidays.
Note: Its all depends on the case worker. in my case he is in early 50's. So it was difficult to understand my WP complexity. I had to explain in him in many instance the same thing.
Any questions feel free to ask.
Thanks