Successful ILR Application

[Mptp76]

I received my ILR last month and thought I'd share my experience.

I was on the old sponsored work permit which began on 14th June 2005. I actually entered the UK for the first time also on 14th June 2005.

I submitted my application through an agency. I was confident enough I could prepare my application myself but I just wanted to be really sure everything was in order.

I had 238 days outside the country of which 46 days was for work-related travel. So I was slightly over the 180 days mark but not by much.

There were 2 interesting/unusual points on my application:

1. My work permit changed sponsorship in 2007. My sponsoring employer sold the consulting arm of their business to another company, who took over the sponsorship of my work permit. When this occurred I received a letter from the Home Office confirming the change over and confirming there was no gap/break in employment. I submitted this letter with the application.

2. I changed the way I was receiving my pay from originally getting some funds through an employee benefit trust to taking everything as PAYE taxable pay. This is not a problem but I was advised to be wary about how this is expressed on the employer's covering letter. If it seems there is a large difference in your annual salary it could be construed that your job has changed (which mine had not), which is not acceptable for the old sponsored work permit.

I submitted the following docs:

1. Passport
2. Employer's letter confirming ongoing employment and business related travel
3. 4 months payslips
4. 4 months bank statements
5. P60's for each year
6. Home office letter confirming change of sponsor
7. Life in the UK test pass certificate

Good luck to everyone applying.