HELP PLEASE - Set (O) application form

[emma_lea00]

Hello

I have a question regarding the SET (O) application form.

I am applying for ILR and I am on the second of two ancestry visas. I arrived in the UK in 2008 originally but my second visa was issued in 2013. There are two questions which I am unsure how to answer.

1. Question 6.1 When did you first enter the UK asks you to list the date upon which the application is based, which is fine but then later in question 7.13 I have to declare how long I’ve lived in the UK. I’ve read elsewhere that I should only refer to the visa which applies to the qualifying period for my current ILR application however, am I meant to effectively lie and say I've only been in the UK for 5 years, rather than 10? My date of entry was in 2008, not 2013 but my current BRP is valid from October 2013. My letters and supporting documents from my employer say I've been with them since 2008 so I’m unsure what to answer for this question.

2. Question 10.12 asks if you’ve ever had fingerprints taken as part of a previous immigration application to the UK. I have a BRP already and had to do the Biometric enrolment in 2013 for my second visa so do I declare that on this question?

Do I need to explain things about my first visa in a cover letter and will I need to bring all the documents I used the first time with me to the appointment? It isn’t a problem for me to bring them, but other posts seem to suggest you don’t need them.

Any help you can provide gratefully received as my appointment is on Thursday.

Many thanks in advance.

[emma_lea00]

How can I get an answer to my questions?

[Lynz1988]

I actually posted the exact same question as your first question as I originally came here on a Tier 5 YMS. I am including that time on my application for my ILR (Set O) even though this application is based on my 5 years Tier 2 General. I will be submitting my passport with my YMS even though it's long expired (it was back when they actually put visas IN the passport). I am putting this as the question asks for the TOTAL time you've been in the UK - so for me, that's pretty much 7 years

As for your second question, this too I found to be an odd question as I've had my biometrics/fingerprints enrolled a few times. I will be putting the most recent date that I had my biometrics enrolled for my most recent BRP (I switched employers 3 years ago) since it is under the section that is asking about your current BRP

[emma_lea00]

Thank you so much for your response. I am going to do the same thing and put down the total time I've been in the UK, as well as my previous fingerprinting, etc. as it sort of has to be the answer, right?! My appointment is tomorrow so I need to complete these section and no one has provided any other answer so this will have to do. Fingers crossed it all goes well and this doesn't cause any problems on my application.

Good luck to you!

[Lynz1988]

Let me know how it goes. They would just look everything up on their systems anyways so they would be able to see your total amount of time spent in the UK even on your other visas. The whole point of this process is to show your dedication to living and contributing to the UK...

[emma_lea00]

ILR successfully granted today in Cardiff! I answered the questions as I said I would and included my old passport which contained my first visa, which they did want to see. They also asked to see all the birth and marriage certificates used in my original application which I had brought with me so would recommend that you include these in your supporting documents if you have them. So please this is all done now. It is a rather stressful process. Wishing you lots of luck.

[CR001]

Glad to hear the positive outcome.

Could I ask why you didn't apply for ILR after first ancestry visa and why you only applied now?

[emma_lea00]

Thank you and yes, good question. I can only chalk it up to the fact I was given bad advice by my employer’s HR department. It was too late once I had realised the mistake, but fortunately all sorted now.

[CR001]

It's a pity as you could have applied years ago and paid substantially less and been British by now.

[emma_lea00]

I know. It absolutely kills me!

[CR001]

For example, I applied for ILR in person for myself and my daughter in march 2012 and for both of us together/combined it cost £2000. Our citizenship shortly there after cost £851 and £651 vs £1330 and £1022 now.

At least only one more hurdle to go if you plan on apply for citizenship. Fees increase in April though so it will cost you a bit more than current fees.

[emma_lea00]

Wow, I wish I had done it all then. I paid £2999 for the in person appointment and still have to do citizenship. I’m married to a British citizen so apparently can apply straight away but it will cost me a lot more than what I could have paid five years ago. Such a shame, but I am pleased to have it sorted now and hopefully will be a citizen within a year. I should definitely get it completed before April. Thank you for the info!

[Lynz1988]

That's great - congrats!!! I came from a Tier 5 YMS and 2 x Tier 2Gs so won't have to worry about any additional paperwork for those applications I wouldn't think. This is visa #4 for me and it NEVER gets any less stressful

I knew the prices are substantially increased but wow!

I'm not surprised your company gave you bad advice - what I've found is companies really try to do that in order to tie you in. I've got a new job and company waiting for me once I do my ILR (October 22nd!!) but they tried to put me on another sponsorship (which I told them no dice - ILR or I walk)

[CR001]

I'm not surprised your company gave you bad advice - what I've found is companies really try to do that in order to tie you in. I've got a new job and company waiting for me once I do my ILR (October 22nd!!) but they tried to put me on another sponsorship (which I told them no dice - ILR or I walk)

The OP was on an Ancestry visa so not tied to a sponsoring employer at all.

[Lynz1988]

I'm not surprised your company gave you bad advice - what I've found is companies really try to do that in order to tie you in. I've got a new job and company waiting for me once I do my ILR (October 22nd!!) but they tried to put me on another sponsorship (which I told them no dice - ILR or I walk)

The OP was on an Ancestry visa so not tied to a sponsoring employer at all.

Yes you're right - my mistake! (long day).