Post
by Lucky Guy » Thu May 19, 2011 9:58 am
HI,
Ok, yes, some more info for my case / experience last week at Croydon PEO (Appointment 12th May 2011)
[b]Scenario HSMP PRE APRIL 2006 (March 2006 i got letter of aproval)[/b]
***NOTE: my ILR experience below is NOT under the points based system - I am one of the remaining HSMP Pre April 2006, which means we have to show economic activity (and as self employed I had to show business case and ongoing succcess etc)
Renewed as Tier 1 General under point based system in 2008. (Much easier as I was employed by a big UK company back then).
CURRENTLY: I have been contracting and working through my OWN limited company for the last 2 years, so I was quite concerned about how to verify and pass the requirements for ecomonic activity.
3pm Thursday Croydon PEO Appointment. Made payments about 2.30pm.
Called to window about 3.50pm.
Polite case worker asked me various questions, and spent most of the first twn or 15 minutes just typing things into his computer screen, with glances at my application form.
He asked for 12 months bank statements
12 months payslips
ALL P60s for previous years
I also gave him:
-Personal Tax Return,
-Accoutant letter of income summary (salary + dividends + tax credits),
-Companies House Proof of sole company directorship and sole shareholding.
- I made sure it was clear I am officially registerd as an EMPLOYEE of my own comapny (not just a director) and have been paying National Insurance contributions.
PROBLEM: My payslips were quite RANDOM! One month I paid myself say £1500, the next month maybe £900, another month maybe £2200 etc - because back when I was doing this I didnt know Id have to show the actual bank statements to the home office, I never tried to make it neat - it was messy!
BUT he glanced at the previous year, and was MAINLY interested in the last 6 to 8 weeks - he kept chekcing and matching payments made from company to personal bank accounts in March and April 2011- then he challenged me why Ive NOT been paid in May 2011 - I answered honestly that Ive been so busy preparing my application, Ive not made my monthly pay round for May (It was May 12th) and that Id make pay round next week. (NOTE: If self employed Id advise you PAY yourself in the 4 weeks leading into the PEO meeting!!!!!!! This really caused me a delay becuase I didnt pay myself in the last 6 weeks)
He said that since my last payment was 5th April, he'd have expected a salary payment around 5th May, and he had some concerns - he had to go and check with another case manager or officer - they came back after 5 minutes and said that they were prepared to accept my economic proofs as an ongoing self employed scenario. Very relieved!
He then said congratulations - I asked him about the 4 vs 5 year ILR qualification under HSMP Judicial Review - THEN he said he would give me a backdated letter!
Sure enough he prepared it and it was backdated to 11th May 2010 - A year and a day backdated!
I asked him what this means - he said under HSMP Judicial review, I COULD have gone through this ILR process after 4 years (back in April 2010) (I waited full 5 years). So I am "deemed to have waited" the essential year of residency (before qualifying for citizenship), and thus immediately eligible for Citizenship and Passport if I go through the next steps!
NOw I am booked in for Life in the UK test next week (as a precursor to application for Naturalisation), and intend to apply immediately for citizenship and passport - Ive waited over 6 years, I am not going to miss this opportunity!
QUESTION: Ironically, as HSMP JR I was NOT required to do Life in the UK Test, but it appears that on the Naturalisation / Citizenship requirement, ALL must do it - including me. Its no big deal, but am I correct in understanding that ALL must to the test for naturalistation? Or do I get a second exemption (cheeky)
Good luck to all!
Lucky Guy
