I'm indebted to this forum as interacting with people, getting suggestions and reading other pots helped me secure my ILR today.
My special thanks to cs95tdg and uksettlement, who guided me initially reading my posts and also responding to my posts. I'd also like to thank kevin24 for making us aware a couple of days ago about the HMRC checks.
Ok my case...
1. WP + Tier 1
2. Total absence of 300 odd days with 190 days at a stretch but overlaps with two consecutive 12 month period
3. Self Employed - Own limited company
Went to Solihull at 1:15 for a 1:30 appointment. Airport style check - all done and I was given a token and was asked to wait. I think they were running late today as they called me in only by 2:25.
1. Initially the CW asked me to give my passport, BRP card and application form. She said she will do some checks and then ask me for further documentation.
2. She checked something in our system and checked my holidays. She also checked how much my earnings are. While she was turning the application, she saw that I'd declared that I was outside UK for more than 6 months. Right below that I'd written that even if its a long absence, according to the new rules this long absence overlaps with two consecutive 12 month period. I'd also put an absence spreadsheet, which she glanced through. Here I'd listed days outside UK every year.
3. She then asked me for life in uk test -checked something and asked me for earnings proof
4. I gave her my personal bank statements, business bank statements and accountant letter. She read all of them for a while and then asked me where the payslips and dividend voucher was - to which I replied I've already give you two sources of income i.e. accountant letter & bank statements.
5. She started comparing the bank statements and accountant letter and after that asked for Company registration document. Thats when I also handed over the salary slip and dividend vouchers ( the only reason I dint want to give it earlier was because these were self certified by me).
6. Anways she took the company certificate of incorporation and did a few checks on our system. I reckon, she checked my company details with companies house and HMRC...because she did quite a few things holding that certificate. And then she turned to me and asked why my dependents are not applying (My wife and lil one are in india at the moment) So I told her that they are in India at the moment for which she smiled.
7. After about 10 mins of thorough checking of company name, address and bank statements, she asked me the name of the suppliers I worked with (looking at my business bank statements)...I told her the names. She again checked something in the system and said she will come back in about 5 mins after a few more checks & took my PP
8. She then went in and did some more checks (not sure what it was), came back with passport copies and said that application is succesful today provided that the payment goes through and there are no criminal convictions detected after the biometric check.
Important thing: The CW never asked me for absence letter from employer while I was on WP for a year. She also did not question me for any absences as well.
I was ecstatic at that moment...dint have any words. Made payment, waited to be called for biometric...and after about 20 mins, received all the documents except my accountant letter.
Came out...took a deep breath and switched on my phone to see that I'd received a reminder from UKBA for an appointment that I'd already done with
Any questions, please give me a shout.
.. I want to enjoy the moment