ILR Postal success - long breakdown!

[insideoutsider]

Hi All,
I've been following the board but I thought I'd share my ILR application experience just in case it might help someone.

1. Previous visa: Tier 1
2. Date of expiry: 28-06-2012
3. Application form used for ILR: SET (O)
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2

First issue: I applied on the 6th of June using the premium service. I went with my kids, looking sharp, feeling confident. The case worker said all was fine with my application (I had scored all the necessary points as required by the new rules) but the ID number on my Life in the UK test letter was wrong. (I had lost my certificate but someone from home office sent me a letter of confirmation). The case worker said the ID number on the letter of confirmation was incorrect and that it was bringing up someone elses details. They tried everything they could to find it. They even rang the signatory's number but he was on leave and NO ONE in his department could deal with the problem! So, the sent me off to apply by post where they would have time to get to the bottom of it. I was gutted. I cried all the way home. Once I got home, I wiped my tears and registered for another Life in the UK test - I didn't want any issues with my application and so I took the test a week after and then submitted my application immediately after doing the test. The wait then began.

5. Date application posted: 13-06-2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 15-06-2012
7. Date payment debited: 15-06-2012
8. Payment mode : DEBIT CARD
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 18-06-2012

At this point, I got a little angry. They had messed up my application by quoting the wrong ID number and now, I was in this waiting predicament! So, I went off to my MP to tell him what had happened and he took my case on.

10. Biometric letter received: 07-08-2012
I was overjoyed! I thought that would be the end of it.

11. Date of biometrics Enrollment: 08-08-2012
After a week, I contacted my MP again to chase things up. They said they hadn't heard back from UKBA but they would pursue it again.

27-09-2012: Phone call from my caseworker in UKBA to ask about my families details and request for further documents and explanation - which will be sent to me by post. I asked the caseworker if he could send it by email and he said OK - I replied him same day by email.

12. Date of receipt of BRP for myself and my kids:
02.10.12! Dated 28-09-12! ILR approved!
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Waiting

I'm overjoyed! I thank God!!!

I don't know if the MP helped but I'll ring them to thank them anyway!

All the best to all those waiting!

[geriatrix]

I had lost my certificate but someone from home office sent me a letter of confirmation

It will help others if you can share how you arranged this e.g. - who did you get in touch with, at what address, etc.

[insideoutsider]

I had lost my certificate but someone from home office sent me a letter of confirmation

It will help others if you can share how you arranged this e.g. - who did you get in touch with, at what address, etc.

Wow! This part is very hard to explain. I lost my test certificate that same day, I rang the UKBA, they asked me to ring the test centre, they asked me to ring UKBA, they asked me to ring University for Information, they asked me to write a letter, they sent the letter to UKBA, someone (some random ukba employee) from UKBA sent a letter confirming my results under the freedom of information act. Didn't help because the ID number on the letter he sent was wrong Hence my need to wait.

Happy now though

[p2kin]

I had lost my certificate but someone from home office sent me a letter of confirmation

It will help others if you can share how you arranged this e.g. - who did you get in touch with, at what address, etc.

This has always been one of my scariest feeling.. loosing LIUK certificate just say a day or two before my PEO appointment. I have taken a photocopy of it already.. but still fear is on until I submit it to UKBA.

If showing a copy would help, I'd rather have 100 copies stored at different places.. even give it to friends as a safe storage.

Payslips & Bank statements are easy to get back even if stolen/lost.. but thinking about LIUK certificate.. heart still misses a beat...

your experience is unique & this area is still hidden.. please all silent viewers/members/sage/moderators, please have more light on this one please?