This site had been extremely helpful in my preparation for my ILR and when I had my application approved at the Croydon PEO on Tuesday 24th July, I thought it is only just for me to pass on some feedback to others in similar position like I was.
Mine was a HSMP + Tier 1 and I had included my husband as my dependant. Our appointment was 8:30 am and we arrived at 8:00. We were swift through security, then a counter in ground floor which checks your name on application form and your passport. Then onto first floor where they take payment page (page 4 I think) and process payment. At this point you will be given your token number. The whole thing so far took less than 10 minutes. Then we went to row of counters and very quickly, our number was called. Very pleasant girl who asked for application form and passport – both mine and husbands. She checked our details which took 10 minutes. Then we were asked to wait for biometrics. Time now was 8:20 and I was surprised as how quick things were proceeding. But then the wait came...not too long though (about 30 minutes). We had our fingerprints and photo taken (guys take time in posing for this photo as this is the photo on your resident permit- not what you submit!!). This took another 15 minutes.
I noticed that once biometrics was taken, some applicants were directed to second floor and some stay on the first floor. We were asked to wait on the same floor. By now I was getting nervous on meeting the CW. You have to pay attention on the numbers being called as at times they overlap but they do repeat it. When mine was called I was asked by this lady behind counter 22 – nb: counter 22 is customer service desk - I was asked to handover my application form and everything I wish to submit as part of my application. I handed the documents and then she just said they will call me if they need me. No indication of time frame. I just sat there and got annoyed that I never got to see a CW. After 30 minutes, another lady waved at me from Counter 22 and then informed me my application was successful. At that point I realised she must have been my CW. She asked me to check my originals and informed my card will be posted and should be with me with 7 days. Everything was blur at that moment and I was just looking at the passport for my visa stamp .. Upon reading my enclosed approval letter I realised that there is no more visa stamps and this has been replaced by biometric cards.
We were out by 10:30. We drove and parked the car on the opposite Whitgift Car Park which was very convenient (£8 for whole day). We had all our documents dumped in the car just in case they wanted more and more documents! But nothing was requested.
Having things in order helped me for sure. I got simple A4 folders thinking that I will get to see CW and submit documents as and when requested. My documentation are:
1. Main file
• Original application form
• Photos
• Life in UK test results for both me and husband
• HSMP approval letter (not taken by CW)
• Tier 1 approval letter(not taken by CW)
2. Proof of earning file
• 12 month payslips
• 12 months current account statement
• Letter from employer
3. Cohabitation documents file
• Annual mortgage statements from Bank – 3 years (not taken by CW)
• Gas bill on husband name for 2 years
• Annual Water Bill Statement on my name for 3 years
• My savings statement for 3 months (evidence of maintenance)
4. My back up file – none was requested
• P60 – 5 years
• My degree cert
• More utility bills
• Marriage cert
• Birth cert
My tip would be to try and get early morning appointments as there is much less people and if you application is straight forward; you will be out of there very quick. Also please take time to have things in order, both originals and photocopies. This will only make the application smoother.
The biometrics cards arrived on 27 July via courier.
Good luck and God bless!
