Like every other successful applicant, I am a silent spectator here. Thanks for all your inputs.
Here you go... Enjoy reading my story
Category: Tier 1 General (applied as an individual- my wife and son to apply later)
Profession: Self employed contractor
Documents submitted:
1) Set O
2) Passport + BRP
3) Photos
4) Summary of UKBA points calculator
5) Accountant letter
6) Contract papers covering before and during claim period
7) Invoices for before and during claim period
Dividend vouchers9) Company bank statement for claim period only
10) Personal bank statement for claim period only
11) P60
12) Payslip
13) Company accounts for the FY covering claim period
14) Letter from my agency with rates, duration and a statement of invoices and payment made
15) Letter of absence for 31 days from me
16) E-tickets , marriage certificate and hotel accomodation as evidence of holiday
17) LIUK and IELTS original
18) Last 3 months bank statements (Original + online with bank seal) for finances evidence
19) Current contract
20) Current invoices
21) Current agency letter confirming contract, duration, rate, invoices raised and payments made
Back up docs : (did not give)
Tenancy agreement
Council tax bill
Management accounting for current FY
Current Dividend vouchers
Appointment at 8:30 am. Reached at 7:20 am and waited at a nearby coffee shop till 7:50 . Went to PEO and the security asked me to come at 8:25 am.
Went at 8:25 and finished airport style checking and was given a token.
At 8:45 my token number was called and went to the counter to hand-in documents.
I had put all my docs in 4 different transparent wallets and segregated as Cover -1 , Cover- 2A & 2B for earnings section and cover-3 for absence, LIUK and english language.
Photocopied all docs and put corresponding photocopies into Cover - 1 (P), 2A (P), 2B (P) and Cover- 3 (P). All wallets labelled with contents inside.
Photocopies of all pages of passport were left in Cover - 1(P).
The counter lady asked for docs 1 by 1. Before that she gave a disclaimer form which has questions like whether I understand immigration law, do I need more info etc. to read and sign which I did.
Handed-over all docs, passport and BRP and asked to go back to waiting area.
At 9:10, I was called for Biometric which I gave. Asked to wait again and at about 10:05, a security lady came and said there is IT issue across all UKBA offices and requested me and another couple to come after 1 hour.
Came back at 11:05 after having a tea at starbucks in High street which is very closeby and returned for an security check and waited till 12:05 after which I became restless and asked UKBA staff in uniform (not security) and she was polite enough to reply and said she is going to get my passport back to take biometric again which she felt would fasten up the process. Also, she said she will talk to case-worker to check the status and appeared 5 minutes later and confirmed from CW that my application will be decided in 45 minutes ie at 1 pm.
I said I will come back after lunch and again to High street for some McD burger. Returned after half hour and entered the office building and before the security check the security in the window asked if my token number is xxx and bingo!!! handed over my approval letter and documents.
The ordeal was finished and came out with a sense of relief.
Within less than 48 hours time, my BRP arrived and was delivered at home.
Happy ending and I will be very glad to help anyone with any questions they might have though I am not an expert.
In a nutshell, like most of the successful previous applicants, say time and again......Golden rules are:
Keep it simple and to the point
Give only what is specified
Be very organised- this will go a very very long way
Good luck to all of you.
God bless,
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!!
