ILR - do they take money even if refused settlement

[rg1]

I have completed 5 years in UK as WP holder. But my stay was not continuous. After first 2 years of stay I had a gap of 9 months (my WP was also expired that time). Then 3 years back I came with a new WP (but still working for same company).

I wish to take a chance and like to apply for ILR in person.

However, I don't want to lose £750. So, just wondering whether they will take the money before telling me the decision or it will be a lottery after paying the money.

Thanks

[olisun]

I have completed 5 years in UK as WP holder. But my stay was not continuous. After first 2 years of stay I had a gap of 9 months (my WP was also expired that time). Then 3 years back I came with a new WP (but still working for same company).

I wish to take a chance and like to apply for ILR in person.

However, I don't want to lose £750. So, just wondering whether they will take the money before telling me the decision or it will be a lottery after paying the money.

Thanks

If you go in person, then you will be "filtered" at the counter in the reception (ground floor).

The person will look at your history and will let you know if you are eligible for PR and if you are, then you will be issued a ticket and requested to proceed upstairs. But NO money will be taken from you (unless the rules have changed now)

I don't know exactly what happens upstairs, whether they take the payment first or look at you file first.

[rg1]

Well, during my FLR application I went to Croydon personally. At that time it was a straight forward case, so someone on grould floor looked at my files and just asked me to pay money upstairs.

After paying the money, I went to 2nd floor - someone from the glass panel looked my papers and asked me to come back after an hour.

But this time it is a bit tricky. I think only senior immigration officers have the authority to decide whether I should get ILR or not.

then how come the person on ground floor (i.e. receptionist sort of) can say about the eligibility?

[olisun]

Well, during my FLR application I went to Croydon personally. At that time it was a straight forward case, so someone on grould floor looked at my files and just asked me to pay money upstairs.

After paying the money, I went to 2nd floor - someone from the glass panel looked my papers and asked me to come back after an hour.

But this time it is a bit tricky. I think only senior immigration officers have the authority to decide whether I should get ILR or not.

then how come the person on ground floor (i.e. receptionist sort of) can say about the eligibility?

Because they look at your immigration history to check if there is a break in your WP, if you have been out of the country for too long, if you have changed status (dependant) etc.

BTW FLR is different from applying for ILR. With FLR your are extending your stay with respect to a approval like the WP approval.