Surprisingly fast service Solihull PEO SET (M)

[reabs]

Hi all. I've been following this forum for a while now and it has been a great help in preparing my application for ILR - SET (M) route and has also helped dispel some of the worries I had.

A bit of background:
Spouse visa on old rules
Did not work in the qualifying two year period - was in postgraduate study funded by my savings and spouse.
SP50 4 years prior to application (court - 7 day ban/fine)
Got a lady from IAS to review the application to make sure it was fine a month before - cost about £180.

On the day - 04/04/2013
Arrived 08:30 for 09:00 appointment. Went through security and waited to get called.
Called to counter 09:10 with spouse and presented form, passports +KOL.
Provided spouse payslips + bank statements.
Provided 6 letters addressed to both of us - 1 rejected as was printed from internet. We offered her another...she declined saying the 5 she had were enough.
Offered her DL and counterpart - declined saying not needed...there were other documents such as marriage certificate which were offered...declined (they obviously still have them from the VAF application).
She then proceeded to do her checks. Took about 10 minutes then came back and said we can go to the next counter and pay and subject to other checks coming back OK, ILR will be granted and letter issued same day.
09:30 paid with credit card at the counter. Told to go back to waiting area.
Called for biometrics at about 10:00. Told to go back to waiting area and after 15 minutes we would be asked to go for lunch and come back in the afternoon.
10:15 - nothing. 10:30 - nothing. 10:45 nothing. We see on the screen that numbers for two others who had come after us have appeared on the processing screen...our number seemed to have disappeared. Started thinking the worst. 11:00 called to counter (lady is holding my documents and I fear it has been rejected). She hands me back my documentation and passports along with letter saying ILR has been granted and BRP will be along shortly.

BRP
PEO application was on the Thursday so I assumed from timelines I have seen that it would be about a week before I get it.
The following Monday morning (08/04/2013), as I am about to drive out of home, van pulls up in the drive blocking my exit. Chap comes out with an envelope for me. I sign for it and he drives off. I was about to toss it in the house but thought it might be a credit/debit card replacement - better open it - find its my BRP!

All in all, surprised at how thoroughly yet speedily they reviewed my application. And the staff at Solihull were pleasant and treated you with respect which isn't something I expected from UKBA.

[lxx]

Congratulations!

[Kevin24]

Hi all. I've been following this forum for a while now and it has been a great help in preparing my application for ILR - SET (M) route and has also helped dispel some of the worries I had.

A bit of background:
Spouse visa on old rules
Did not work in the qualifying two year period - was in postgraduate study funded by my savings and spouse.
SP50 4 years prior to application (court - 7 day ban/fine)
Got a lady from IAS to review the application to make sure it was fine a month before - cost about £180.

On the day - 04/04/2013
Arrived 08:30 for 09:00 appointment. Went through security and waited to get called.
Called to counter 09:10 with spouse and presented form, passports +KOL.
Provided spouse payslips + bank statements.
Provided 6 letters addressed to both of us - 1 rejected as was printed from internet. We offered her another...she declined saying the 5 she had were enough.
Offered her DL and counterpart - declined saying not needed...there were other documents such as marriage certificate which were offered...declined (they obviously still have them from the VAF application).
She then proceeded to do her checks. Took about 10 minutes then came back and said we can go to the next counter and pay and subject to other checks coming back OK, ILR will be granted and letter issued same day.
09:30 paid with credit card at the counter. Told to go back to waiting area.
Called for biometrics at about 10:00. Told to go back to waiting area and after 15 minutes we would be asked to go for lunch and come back in the afternoon.
10:15 - nothing. 10:30 - nothing. 10:45 nothing. We see on the screen that numbers for two others who had come after us have appeared on the processing screen...our number seemed to have disappeared. Started thinking the worst. 11:00 called to counter (lady is holding my documents and I fear it has been rejected). She hands me back my documentation and passports along with letter saying ILR has been granted and BRP will be along shortly.

BRP
PEO application was on the Thursday so I assumed from timelines I have seen that it would be about a week before I get it.
The following Monday morning (08/04/2013), as I am about to drive out of home, van pulls up in the drive blocking my exit. Chap comes out with an envelope for me. I sign for it and he drives off. I was about to toss it in the house but thought it might be a credit/debit card replacement - better open it - find its my BRP!

All in all, surprised at how thoroughly yet speedily they reviewed my application. And the staff at Solihull were pleasant and treated you with respect which isn't something I expected from UKBA.

Congratulations. Thank You for posting your Experience. Solihull PEO seem to be following their old method(Pre06/04),by taking payment after the CW starting the Interview process.

[Amber]

Hi all. I've been following this forum for a while now and it has been a great help in preparing my application for ILR - SET (M) route and has also helped dispel some of the worries I had.

A bit of background:
Spouse visa on old rules
Did not work in the qualifying two year period - was in postgraduate study funded by my savings and spouse.
SP50 4 years prior to application (court - 7 day ban/fine)
Got a lady from IAS to review the application to make sure it was fine a month before - cost about £180.

On the day - 04/04/2013
Arrived 08:30 for 09:00 appointment. Went through security and waited to get called.
Called to counter 09:10 with spouse and presented form, passports +KOL.
Provided spouse payslips + bank statements.
Provided 6 letters addressed to both of us - 1 rejected as was printed from internet. We offered her another...she declined saying the 5 she had were enough.
Offered her DL and counterpart - declined saying not needed...there were other documents such as marriage certificate which were offered...declined (they obviously still have them from the VAF application).
She then proceeded to do her checks. Took about 10 minutes then came back and said we can go to the next counter and pay and subject to other checks coming back OK, ILR will be granted and letter issued same day.
09:30 paid with credit card at the counter. Told to go back to waiting area.
Called for biometrics at about 10:00. Told to go back to waiting area and after 15 minutes we would be asked to go for lunch and come back in the afternoon.
10:15 - nothing. 10:30 - nothing. 10:45 nothing. We see on the screen that numbers for two others who had come after us have appeared on the processing screen...our number seemed to have disappeared. Started thinking the worst. 11:00 called to counter (lady is holding my documents and I fear it has been rejected). She hands me back my documentation and passports along with letter saying ILR has been granted and BRP will be along shortly.

BRP
PEO application was on the Thursday so I assumed from timelines I have seen that it would be about a week before I get it.
The following Monday morning (08/04/2013), as I am about to drive out of home, van pulls up in the drive blocking my exit. Chap comes out with an envelope for me. I sign for it and he drives off. I was about to toss it in the house but thought it might be a credit/debit card replacement - better open it - find its my BRP!

All in all, surprised at how thoroughly yet speedily they reviewed my application. And the staff at Solihull were pleasant and treated you with respect which isn't something I expected from UKBA.

Congrats but the SCS would have checked the application for half that fee.

[reabs]

Congrats but the SCS would have checked the application for half that fee.

Thanks. I needed IAS to check it and advise on the SP50 plus impact of previous irregular stay 10 yrs ago....I wanted them to have a starting point in representing me were things to get tricky.

[Kevin24]

Hi all. I've been following this forum for a while now and it has been a great help in preparing my application for ILR - SET (M) route and has also helped dispel some of the worries I had.

A bit of background:
Spouse visa on old rules
Did not work in the qualifying two year period - was in postgraduate study funded by my savings and spouse.
SP50 4 years prior to application (court - 7 day ban/fine)
Got a lady from IAS to review the application to make sure it was fine a month before - cost about £180.

On the day - 04/04/2013
Arrived 08:30 for 09:00 appointment. Went through security and waited to get called.
Called to counter 09:10 with spouse and presented form, passports +KOL.
Provided spouse payslips + bank statements.
Provided 6 letters addressed to both of us - 1 rejected as was printed from internet. We offered her another...she declined saying the 5 she had were enough.
Offered her DL and counterpart - declined saying not needed...there were other documents such as marriage certificate which were offered...declined (they obviously still have them from the VAF application).
She then proceeded to do her checks. Took about 10 minutes then came back and said we can go to the next counter and pay and subject to other checks coming back OK, ILR will be granted and letter issued same day.
09:30 paid with credit card at the counter. Told to go back to waiting area.
Called for biometrics at about 10:00. Told to go back to waiting area and after 15 minutes we would be asked to go for lunch and come back in the afternoon.
10:15 - nothing. 10:30 - nothing. 10:45 nothing. We see on the screen that numbers for two others who had come after us have appeared on the processing screen...our number seemed to have disappeared. Started thinking the worst. 11:00 called to counter (lady is holding my documents and I fear it has been rejected). She hands me back my documentation and passports along with letter saying ILR has been granted and BRP will be along shortly.

BRP
PEO application was on the Thursday so I assumed from timelines I have seen that it would be about a week before I get it.
The following Monday morning (08/04/2013), as I am about to drive out of home, van pulls up in the drive blocking my exit. Chap comes out with an envelope for me. I sign for it and he drives off. I was about to toss it in the house but thought it might be a credit/debit card replacement - better open it - find its my BRP!

All in all, surprised at how thoroughly yet speedily they reviewed my application. And the staff at Solihull were pleasant and treated you with respect which isn't something I expected from UKBA.

What was the amount charged as Visa Fees at Solihull PEO?

[reabs]

What was the amount charged as Visa Fees at Solihull PEO?

I paid £1377 (single applicant). That was pre-April 6th so the fee will be slightly higher now I believe.

[Kevin24]

What was the amount charged as Visa Fees at Solihull PEO?

I paid £1377 (single applicant). That was pre-April 6th so the fee will be slightly higher now I believe.

Thank You for your prompt reply.A friend of mine wanted to know. Visa fees must be more after 06/04. Enjoy your ILR.