Folks,
Many thanks to all of you, forum members. We garnered much valuable information and confidence from this forum. Our ILR was approved today, no IT issues thankfully.
My case notes:
- Me + Wife + Infant (1.5 months)
- 2 years WP + 1 year Tier 2 Intra company transfer + 2 years Tier 1 General
- Wife in dependant visa since Nov-2010, but we have lived together before since Dec-2009 (she was on her own Tier 2 visa). So this was considered for cohabitation.
- Wife was away for 3 months during the 2 year period, this was not asked anywhere in application, so I did not mention it either.
- 09.00 - Our appointment was at 9.40. We reached the place by 9.00. The security guard was a bit hesitant to let us in as they strictly allow people only 30 minutes before the appointment. However, he let us in without telling much as we had an infant.
- 09.05 - Airport style security screening. We had a scissor to open milk cartons for the baby. They refused to let it inside, stored it and gave us a token to collect it later.
- 09.10 - The staff were very friendly and directed us to a counter to verify the appointment and issue a token number. Took about 5 minutes.
- 09.15 - Next we requested the security guard for the lift and went to first floor. We were directed to make the payment. The counter was empty. I did not inform the bank, but the transaction went through without any issue. I paid by my Visa debit card.
- 09.20 - After payments we were directed to a large waiting area. We waited for less than 10 minutes when our token was called. The person took the application, photos and passport. He scanned all the photos, entered the passport information in his system and cross checked names and DOBs against the first few pages of the application. The person was pleasant, but very slow. He did not take any documents. After a while he asked us to go the second floor for biometrics and returned everything
- 09.40 - As soon as we went to the second floor we were called for biometrics. The person was very friendly again. First they wanted to take the photograph for the infant. He needed authorisation from someone senior to photograph the baby. Once the person came, they asked me to wear a grey coat and then hold the baby in front of the coat. The baby's photo was taken, no finger prints for baby. Then my wife and I had biometrics done.
- 10.20 - We were asked to wait in the second floor area to be called. Token numbers before and after us were being called and we were waiting eagerly until 12.00. The token numbers were not called in order (probably each one was for a different service).
- 12.00 - The case worked called our token. He was very rude and behaved like a typical Indian government officer. He asked me if I was an IT consultant and nodded his head in disapproval. Then he asked for all documents. I gave him one set of originals and one similar set of photocopies. After having a glance he asked me if I was self-employed. I said I am employed and I own a limited company. He asked me how many shares i own in the company. I said 100% of the shares. He then said, that means I am self-employed and not employed. I replied that HMRC website clearly tells me that I am considered as employed. He got angry and said "I know the site. I know HMRC. I know how it all works". I kept quiet since I thought the conversation was unnecessary any further. I had submitted payslips, dividend vouchers, accountant letter and personal bank statements. He said since he considers me self employed he will need business statements and my current contract. I gave him what he asked. Also, I asked him if needed invoices to which he said yes. Then I gave him my invoices, company regn certificate, vat certificate, corpn tax letters and annual accounts. He took everything and asked me to come back after 2 hours or so.
- 14.00 - I went back exactly at 2. A friend told me that he was calling my number a few times at 13.30 itself and had then gone away. He opened the counter at 14.20 and called me forward. He gave all my originals and approval letter. Asked me to verify that I have all the originals back right in front of him.
Documents submitted: (Photocopies of everything)
SECTION 2 - DEPENDANTS WHO ARE ALSO APPLYING
1. Full UK Birth Certificate showing parents’ names
SECTION 3 - WHICH CATEGORY?
1. Tier 1 General approval letter from UKBA
SECTION 4 - KNOWLEDGE OF LANGUAGE AND LIFE IN THE UK
1. Life in the UK Test Pass notification letter for self and spouse
SECTION 5 - HOME AND FINANCES
1. My earnings (payslips, dividend vouchers and bank statements) provided in section 9A, Tier 1 points scoring assessment
2. My recent 3 months Savings account statements to show enough funds are available
3. Wife's recent 3 months’ payslips to show income
4. Wife's recent 3 months’ bank statements showing salary payments
SECTION 6 - IMMIGRATION HISTORY – DAYS AWAY FROM UK
1. Detailed list of days away from the UK (thanks to the template in this forum)
SECTION 9 - TIER 1 POINTS SCORING ASSESSMENT
9A - TIER 1 (GENERAL) MIGRANTS - 80 points claimed, points based calculator print out
A. Previous Earnings Assessment – 25 points claimed
1. Original 12 months’ payslips showing monthly salary paid
2. Original Dividend vouchers showing the gross and net dividends and tax credits for each payment made.
3. Original 12 months’ bank statements showing the salary payments, dividend payments and date paid
4. Letter from the accountant confirming the dates, amounts of salaries and dividends for the said period
Originally I did not submit the below docs, but was asked by the caseworker specifically. Thankfully I had taken these too.
5. Business bank statements
6. Employment contract (I am an IT contractor)
The caseworker did not ask the below documents, but I was in a take-whatever-you-want mood by then. So I myself gave him all these.
7. Invoices
8. Company registration certificate
9. VAT registration certificate
10. Corporation tax letters
11. Annual company accounts
I took 5 year P60s with me but the case worker did not ask for it and I did not submit it too.
B. Qualifications Assessment – 30 points claimed
Evidence is not required for the current application because it was submitted for a previous Tier 1 General application.
C. Age Assessment – 20 points claimed
1. Original Passport
D. Continuous Residence Assessment
Nothing submitted
E. UK Experience Assessment – 5 points claimed
SECTION 11 – COHABITATION DOCUMENTS
1. Tenancy agreements for each of the three addresses showing both our names
2. Council tax bills jointly addressed
3. Bank statements addressed separately
4. Letter from HMRC
5. TV Licensing letter
6. DVLA Provisional driving license addressed separately
7. NHS Letters
8. Official Poll Card from Greater London Authority
Facilities:
- There are separate baby changing rooms (on 1st and 2nd floor) and baby feeding room (on 1st floor)
- For prams etc, if you need to use the lift, each time you need request the security. They will escort you up and down
- There is a vending machine on the first floor with chocolates, crisps and soft drinks
- There is a small food shop in second floor - stocks sandiwches, muffins, chocolates, juices, soft drinks, crisps etc. The old lady there was very rude to everyone. They accept only cash so make sure you carry some for refreshments
Best of luck to the rest of you! and many thanks again!
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