I was bit nervous to book an appointment in Croydon but it turns out to be easy and straight forward process. This application was for my wife who was on Tier1 (General) PBS Dependant visa. I already have ILR so I was not included in the application.
Below is the screenshot of street view to give an idea about parking and PEO location.

She was on Tier1 (General) Dependent throughout, no conviction or dependants and applied under 2 year rules.
Here is her visa history:
Visa granted: 4-Jan-2012
Entered first in UK: 2-Mar-2012
Extension granted: 1-Nov-2013
Visa expiry: 1-Nov-2015
Booked an appointment for 8:00AM and reached 15 minutes before appointment for security checks. Before security checks UKBA staff will ask for PEO receipt (which is basically PEO confirmation email) and confirm the time of appointment. They will then ask you to through security check. On the security check counter they will ask you to empty pockets for e.g. take out wallet, key, fobs, coins, belt, etc… and put them on the tray.
Once security checks are ok, they will ask you to go to 3rd floor. On the floor UKBA staff will ask main applicant to go on right and other person on the left side and wait in cafeteria. They will then register a case and assign ticket number.
In few minutes ticket number will be announce (it will also appear on the big LCD screen) and ask to go to a desk number for document checks and later on another desk for biometric. After biometric, documents will be taken by the case worker and case will be registered for PEO consideration. All stages will appear on the big LCD screen. Applicant will now have an option to go outside and come back after 60-90 minutes or wait in the cafeteria.
Note: They will not call applicant on the mobile number once decision is made. The applicant has to pop-in to PEO to check the status.
We came back to PEO after 90 minutes and greeted by UKBA staff with application successful status. The case worker told us that the visa application decision was made 30 minutes ago. So overall it took 2 hours to complete whole process.
Document List:
Main Applicant
• Set (O)
• PEO confirmation letter
• 2x Recent photographs with full name written on the back of each
• Evidence of English and Life In The UK
- Life in the UK test pass notification letter
- ILETS letter
• Evidence of Absence
- Absence sheet
• Evidence of leave or permission to stay
- Current and previous passport
- Biometric Residence Permit
- Approval letter of PBS dependant visa
Partner
• 1 Recent photograph with full name written on the back
• Current and previous passport
• Evidence of ordinary residence
- Current and previous Biometric Residence Permit
- The Home Office letter confirming ILR
- Biometric letter from Post Office
- 5 year P60 letter from HMRC
• Evidence of finances
- 12 month payslips
- 12 month bank statements
Evidence of cohabitation
• Shared
1. Marriage certificate
2. Council tax letters
3. Current and previous tenancy agreements
4. NHS card and letters
5. Electoral roll & council letters
6. Joint bank statements
7. Electric and gas statements
8. Life insurance
9. Private medical letter
• Main Applicant
1. NI letter
2. Current and previous UK licence
3. Last 2 year bank statements
4. TV licence
5. Last 2 year payslips
6. Last year P60
• Partner
1. Current and previous UK licence
2. Last 3 year individual P60s
3. Electric and gas statements
4. Home office letters for biometric and ILR
5. Last 2 years bank statements
Download letter and documents:
• absence in 2 years.xlsx
• document-list.docx
• Request-Maintenance-Letter.docx
• titles.docx
http://mab.to/j7UuY2vSu
The link will expire in 14 days; download it before it's gone.
General questions asked in this forum:
Q1. Do I need to show evidence of maintenance funds?
I have submitted original and copy of maintenance letter from bank but UKBA haven’t taken either. So I believe it is not much important.
Q2. Do I need to provide absence letter from employer?
My wife hasn’t provided absence letter. She submitted absence sheet which was taken by UKBA staff. So I believe absence letter from employer is not much important.
Feel free to ask if there are any questions.