Success: SET(O) WP + Tier 1 at Croydon PEO
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:29 pm
Hi Everyone,
Just had a successful ILR application at Croydon, and I thought I'll share my experiences in case its helpful to someone.
My ILR application was made up of a WP + Tier 1 (General) + Tier 1 Extension (General). My WP was granted on 17th Nov 2006
I arrived at the building at 10:15am, and my appointment was for 11:30am (took into account train delays etc, better early than later!). The security guard asked me to enter the building at 11:00am
At 11:00, I was let in and through an airport style security check. Once through, there's was small queue where they did basic initial checks on my application, just to make sure I was using the correct form and had the supporting paperwork. Interestingly, the guy checking asked if I had some proof of income from my first employer, and luckily I had my 5yrs P60 forms with me, and he said that ought to be sufficient (even though I had some payslips from the previous employer as a backup)
Once done, he stamped my application, and I was sent upstairs to pay. After the payment, I had to wait 1:30hrs for the case worker to call me (the appointments were running behind), and saw the caseworker around 1pm. I suggest take a sandwich or something incase you get peckish, as well as a good book to keep you company.
The caseworker just asked me for the usual, application, payslips, bank statements etc. I told him I had my P60s as well, with which he seemed quite pleased. I handed over originals of some, and photocopies of some docs, and he told me to come back in an hour during which he would consider the application.
After an hour (you can exit the building to get some fresh air if you want), I came back and the caseworker called my ticket number again and told me my application has been successful. I was told to collect my passport in 30minutes with the ILR stamp on it.
So, all in all a pretty smooth experience, but here are some pointers I would like to give based on my experience:
- Prepare a good covering letter, with details of your visa history, summary of income etc. Mine was about 3 pages long, and the caseworker went through it thoroughly.
- Apart from the obvious, take all the P60's you have. I had 4 original P60's and 1 certified copy
- Take any other home office correspondence you have. In my case, I had my original WP letter as well my Tier 1 extension letter
- Take payslips and any old employment letters from previous employers over the 5 year period
- You can exit the building once the caseworker has seen you, but its good to take something to read/eat/drink during that time. There is a canteen on the 2nd floor, but the coffee is best described as disgusting! Also, keep in mind if you do exit the building, upon return you will have to go through the airport style security check upon re-entry.
Hope my experience is useful for some, and if you have any questions pls email me on kmittal82@yahoo.com (I won't be monitoring this thread)
PS: I have read various comments by people regarding P60's, and it seems to vary between case workers. My advise would be, try to get as many as you can, and if you can't, then take as many payslips/bank statements as you can over the past 5 years as a backup.
Just had a successful ILR application at Croydon, and I thought I'll share my experiences in case its helpful to someone.
My ILR application was made up of a WP + Tier 1 (General) + Tier 1 Extension (General). My WP was granted on 17th Nov 2006
I arrived at the building at 10:15am, and my appointment was for 11:30am (took into account train delays etc, better early than later!). The security guard asked me to enter the building at 11:00am
At 11:00, I was let in and through an airport style security check. Once through, there's was small queue where they did basic initial checks on my application, just to make sure I was using the correct form and had the supporting paperwork. Interestingly, the guy checking asked if I had some proof of income from my first employer, and luckily I had my 5yrs P60 forms with me, and he said that ought to be sufficient (even though I had some payslips from the previous employer as a backup)
Once done, he stamped my application, and I was sent upstairs to pay. After the payment, I had to wait 1:30hrs for the case worker to call me (the appointments were running behind), and saw the caseworker around 1pm. I suggest take a sandwich or something incase you get peckish, as well as a good book to keep you company.
The caseworker just asked me for the usual, application, payslips, bank statements etc. I told him I had my P60s as well, with which he seemed quite pleased. I handed over originals of some, and photocopies of some docs, and he told me to come back in an hour during which he would consider the application.
After an hour (you can exit the building to get some fresh air if you want), I came back and the caseworker called my ticket number again and told me my application has been successful. I was told to collect my passport in 30minutes with the ILR stamp on it.
So, all in all a pretty smooth experience, but here are some pointers I would like to give based on my experience:
- Prepare a good covering letter, with details of your visa history, summary of income etc. Mine was about 3 pages long, and the caseworker went through it thoroughly.
- Apart from the obvious, take all the P60's you have. I had 4 original P60's and 1 certified copy
- Take any other home office correspondence you have. In my case, I had my original WP letter as well my Tier 1 extension letter
- Take payslips and any old employment letters from previous employers over the 5 year period
- You can exit the building once the caseworker has seen you, but its good to take something to read/eat/drink during that time. There is a canteen on the 2nd floor, but the coffee is best described as disgusting! Also, keep in mind if you do exit the building, upon return you will have to go through the airport style security check upon re-entry.
Hope my experience is useful for some, and if you have any questions pls email me on kmittal82@yahoo.com (I won't be monitoring this thread)
PS: I have read various comments by people regarding P60's, and it seems to vary between case workers. My advise would be, try to get as many as you can, and if you can't, then take as many payslips/bank statements as you can over the past 5 years as a backup.
Is it OK to give a caseworker all the documents in one big folder with clear pockets (each document in a separate clear pocket)? How do people usually organise their docs? thank you. Regards, Marina