Information Only : Tier 2 General to ILR

Howdy readers,

Hope all is well with you. I'll start from the beginning.

Came to UK with Tier 4 Student visa: 2010 -11
Tier 1 PSW: 2011 - 13
Tier 2 General (in-country): November 2013
Tier 2 General (employer switch): May 2016
Indefinite Leave to remain approved: November 2018

Documents submitted: (Original with 2 sets of photocopies)
- Online appointment checklist
- Online payment confirmation
- Fully completed Set O form
- Master's degree certificate
- Life in the UK pass notification letter
- Old, expired passport and current valid passport
- Current BRP
- Letter from current employer confirming SOC code, salary, hours, need in the foreseeable future
- Letter from current employer certifying the absences
- Letter from the previous employer certifying the absences
- Last 3 payslips. My company only does an online pay slip so Pay roll department had to stamp it as original, on the printout.
- Last 3 bank statements, highlighting salary in the account

Optional documents:
- NI card
- Letter from HMRC, outlining tax and NI paid in the past 5 years (Takes about 4 weeks to get it, but fairly easy process)
- P60s for the last 5 tax years.

I took the photos as specified in the form with me, however the officer returned them to me and said the rules have changed and we don't need them anymore. Instead, my photos were taken digitally along with biometric details.


Experience:

I booked the appointment online and paid online in September 2018. Someone advised me to avoid Croydon and Solihul centre like plague for ILR, apparently these two are the notorious ones and allegedly applicants are harassed by the caseworkers. I adhered to the advice, and booked Glasgow psc.


Had an appointment at 10:30 am. Traveled from London the day before. Checked the documents, went to bed very early. Woke up and reached the centre at 10:12 am. Nice little chat with the security lady, she checked me and belongings, pointed me towards desk 1.

Desk 1 asked why I am here, exactly at 1030 am. I said the reason. He gave me a token and ask me to wait.
At around 10:45, desk 3 called the token number. This is where the officer asked me to submit all the documents I wish to submit, but before that asked same question, what application I am making today and via which route. Then he looked at all the documents, one by one and asked me if I ever used another name. Negative was the response. Finally, he explained my biometrics and photo will be taken, returned the photos I took with me and said should I be successful my new BRP will arrive within 7 working days.

Around 11 am, I was asked to go to room number 9 for biometrics and photo. Took about 3 minutes. Back to the waiting area.

Exactly at 12:10, and I won't forget it, a caseworker came to the waiting area, shouting my name. At this point I was thinking - surely there is some huge mistake otherwise why would he shout like that! it turned out he has finished checking my documents and made a decision! once I was in his little room, he asked me to check a piece of paper to make sure he got my name and address correct. I was so dumbstruck - I said huh! the guy laughed and said your ILR is approved, relax . Check your name and address, this is where we'll send the BRP to.

I digested the fact, what a relief! and checked both the columns and confirmed that everything is correct. He then handed me the three pieces of papers - which basically says I now am a permanent resident in the UK.


Recommendations:

Since the PSCs will be closed, this may not be valid much longer. But:

1. Be on time. If you are early, apologize. If you're late, (Don't you,ever!) apologise three times.
2. Be extra nice. Ask how are you, thank them every time, wear a smile, even though the stress is killing you inside.
3. Wear what are you really confident wearing. I normally wear a suit for work, and feel very confident in it. I wore 3 piece and tie for the appointment, just to get that extra confidence in me. If you are happy with jeans, wear and own it. But no shorts/flip flop.
4. Some caseworkers will stress test you. Try to be calm and answer them exactly what they've asked for. No extra words, no fumbling and telling them the sad story of life.


All the very best,
Andy

Hi Andy12, very useful information many thanks for sharing.

I am going for my PCS appointement on 26 nov. Can you please help with following query?

I am taking the paper form as i booked and paid for my appointment on 14th oct. did they question you about online form at all?

does the employer letter needs to be 2 separate letters one for the "foreseeable future" and other for the UK absences?
my employer has covered both things in one letter will that be okay?

regards