ILR granted (PEO).. experience shared

[udaypatel83]

Hello all,

I have got my ILR approved last week at PEO office. I went to Solihull
office. Please spend few minutes to read my experience. Might be useful
to many.

I reached Solihull office with my wife at around 8:30 and appointment
was at 9:00. I was on Tier1 General visa and my wife is on Tier 1
Dependent. I am doing contracting and have my own company so was
carrying accountant’s letters along with Company related docs such
as Company registration number and VAT reg. number etc. When we both
went to the Solihull office, we were given token number and were asked
to wait. We were called at around 09:20. Then I gave my application form
(SET O) and my passport. Then for initial 15 minutes I and my wife both
discussed a specific case with Case worker details of which are
mentioned below. After this discussion, case worker asked my documents.

I had lots of things with me but he said, just keep giving me what I
ask. He asked for SET O form, and then my accountant letter along with
Business and Personal bank account, my salary slips and dividend
vouchers and Life in the UK pass certificate. Also, he said, give me
your company registration letter and VAT registration letter which I
provided. He then said that since you have your own company so ideally
you should have `Invoices' with you as per the requirements but
I am not bothered about it and I am not asking you but they are
required. So if you are employer/director of your own company i.e. doing
contracting then carry invoices if you have. When I gave him my cover
letter he denied and said I don't need that, I will check everything
in my system. He asked if I have photocopy of all the documents I have
given him. I had photocopy of my passport so gave him and I think for
rest all docs, he made photocopies later. He then asked me to pay fees
and then wait outside. After few minutes I gave my biometric and we were
told to comeback in 2 hours. I went back after 2 hours and it was
approved so got letter from the reception and I and my wife left office
at 1 PM.

Case we discussed initially with officer:

When I went to the counter with my wife, as I mentioned above we discussed a case
for around 15 minutes. I must say, the case worker was very friendly and
helpful. I started as "I want to apply for ILR and I am on Tier1
General visa. I have my wife with me who is on Tier1 General Dependent
visa. I want to discuss her case with you and want to ask you if we both
can apply together for ILR". Then he said give me her passport. The
case was, my wife is short by 10 days to complete her 2 years in UK.
Her visa expires just before 10 days when she is eligible to apply for
ILR (i.e. 28 days before she completes her 2 years in UK). Caseworker
said, since she is short by 10 days, I won't be able to process her
visa but you can apply directly for ILR by post just before the expiry.

By the time the file is with the case worker (after the payment and
biometric is done) she would be eligible to get ILR as it will take at
least 10 days for payment to be cleared and biometric formalities. I
asked him, what if caseworker rejects the visa on this basis when I
apply by post just before the expiry, so he smiled and said, "As far
as my knowledge goes, there is no reason to deny and by the time
application is with us if person is eligible we give visa". But as I
don't want to apply by post since it takes very long (more than 3-4
months) and I have a travel plan, I asked case worker if there is any
other way we can apply for her ILR. He said, "then you come after 10
days of visa expiry, as the new rule states one can stay legally in the
country for 28 days after the expiry of visa. But personally I would
suggest you to apply by post but if you want to apply in person then
this is the solution and I don't think there is anything wrong in
this". So he has given two options to me.

1) Apply by post directly for ILR (and not Tier 1 Dependent for
extension) just before the expiry of visa

2) Come in person after the 10 days of expiry of visa (the day she
becomes eligible for ILR) but no later than 28 days.

I didn't know that once can also apply after the expiry. My case
worker gave me these options with a great confidence so we both were
very happy and we left office. I have now following queries on this, if
any of you know the answer please share.

If I apply in person then,

1. What if new caseworker denies to take the application as the visa
is already expired (I heard that few PEO office don't accept expired
visa applications) ? Can I then apply by post for ILR from the country
within 28 days of expiry of visa?
2. If I apply by post just before the expiry it will be `In
time' application but if caseworker denies to grant ILR then by the
time this is known to me, my wife would have crossed 28 days after her
expiry. In that case, could I apply in person or re-apply for ILR by
post from UK?
3. If I am asked for the reason (why I am applying after the expiry)
the only thing I could say is, `I am using grace period of 28 days
to become eligible for ILR'. Will this be acceptable?


Could you please share your thoughts/experience s on this?

Many thanks,

Uday

[Kevin24]

hi! Uday, Congratulations. Thank you for sharing your Experience. When you go for a PEO appointment,it's advisable to give only the documents you are asked for. Also give only the documents you could confidently explain to the CW.

[udaypatel83]

Thanks Kevin!!

Anyone know what should be done if the in person application after the expiry is not accepted?

I want to decide whether to go for in time postal application or in person application but after expiry of visa within 28 days..

I will be grateful to you guys if you could please share your experience/knowledge.

Many thanks!!

Regards,
Uday