ILR accepted at Liverpool 23/01/2013 - FYI

[imranh]

Hi Everyone

Before I tell my story I would like to thank all those gurus/experts/members who helped me with great advice to my constant questions. Without you guys and this forum many of us would have found alot of the visa stuff overwhelming and confusing. This is truly a great website with really considerate and helpful members.

Now... I had my appointment yesterday at half 1 in Liverpool. I arrived at Union Street at half 12 and parked up at the Pall Mall NPC car park (which was quite expensive so take about £10 change with you). Btw, the car park is on a side street off Union Street opposite the Home Office Passport and Identity office.

We arrived at the UKBA building and we went through the almost airport style security. We got our ticket number at reception at the security and then as soon as we arrived to the PEO section (just round the corner on the right) our ticket number was called and we went to a pleasant lady who just checked our set(m) form and ESOL certificates and signed a document regarding our application. She was happy and sent us back to the waiting area almost instantly we got called again for payment. Another lady took our payment page from the form and I paid by debit card which went smoothly and kept my receipts. She sent me back to the waiting area and then maybe after 10 minutes we were called by the caseworker who was very pleasant and just took our application off us. It appears she was mainly interested in the SET(M) form, ESOL docs, and cohab docs. she told us to wait back in the waiting area for biometrics which were called for about 15 minutes after. My wife took her fingerprints and photo and some signing which took about 5 minutes and went back to the waiting area where the caseworker called us back for the BRP form and at this stage I also gave her my photocopies of my docs which she was grateful for as she said it would save her time and paper doing it herself (So I would recommend taking a photocopy but its not a must!!!!). Then she called us back and confirmed that my wife has got ILR and we will get the biometric card in 7 working days. she just gave us a BRP letter addressed to my wife and also a generic letter about our ILR being approved.

The whole process lasted 1 and a half hour and it was a good experience and the staff were friendly. It did not seem that busy and the vibe was relaxed, only about 5 couples were there. Maybe I was fortunate enough to book in the snow after all!!!!

Thanks once again to all those who helped me and I will be around if you have any questions regarding my expereince with the Liverpool PEO or the set(M) application

Many Thanks
Kind Regards

[imranh]

I would just like to make a few observations

1) it appears that when your ILR is approved at the PEO they do not stamp or amend your passport to show your ILR is approved. The BRP card sent out in the post is YOUR PROOF for ILR being accepted. At the PEO they only give a generic letter saying your ILR has been approved. The BRP card should arrive within 7 working days. I am thinking that this could cause potential headaches if you apply for ILR just before your visa expires and you need to go abroad or your employment is a factor for your visa

2) if your appointment is in a few weeks - CHECK THE UKBA WESBSITE TO ENSURE YOUR SET(M) FORM IS VALID AND NOT OUT OF DATE. I almost had this problem!!!!

3) They seem to concentrate on your cohab and ESOL/LITUK docs and your SET(M) form mainly. Make sure they are correct !!!!!

[imranh]

and one more question

I presume my wife's next step is to apply for British Citizenship???

[imranh]

got our biometric card yesterday - took 2 days to arrive