I had an appointment for 8am today. I woke up at 445 am (I havent done this for quite a while I realise) and reached there leisurely around 730am. There was already a small queue. They opened the entrance almost exactly at 730am and a security staff even came out around 5 minutes before to advise on forming different queues for visas and asylum seekers. Quite efficient and excellent service, I thought.
There was a security check - normal like in airports - I think I was only surprised when they asked me to take out my jacket (I had already taken out my overcoat). They gave me a ticket and then did the payment. My ticket number was 11 so quite in the beginning, I have to say.
Funny thing - the first number they called was 4. It was called for a couple of times. All this time, the guy with the number 4 was in front of the counter being called! A nearby lady had to point out to him that it might be his number thats being called. Only then he realised and jumped to the counter with a sheepish grin. He looked geeky, with the trademark glasses and pullovers. He would be my brother in arms haha
I was called to register my application in their system within like 10 mins. Then almost immediately my biometric was done. The first 6-7 people were called to a counter and asked to submit all their documents. This was what surprised me - I had assumed that I will be called to a counter and have a chance to speak to the case worker in person. But it was not the case.
Anyways, all this was finished by 830am, an hour since I came in. I thought - fantastic. I had taken a half day off, so was beginning to think I might be having free time before I get back to work.
I went for a spammer and cheese pasty from the floor upstairs. An hour or so passed easily. I saw that many people were called to the customer service counter and were given visa approval letters. But I was conscious that my number will come when my nearby numbers are called. May be all their visas were not tier1 visa and were more straightforward and easy.
At around 1130 am, almost all the people who came in with me at 730am had got their approval letters and left. This was beginning to give me tension. My nerves were beginning to get jittery. I calmed myself by reading a booklet I had carried - a spiritual one. I was beginning to suspect there might be some issue with my application.
I went and enquired. She said my number hasnt been called yet. Just after 12 0'clock, another guy who I found out was waiting since 8am went to the customer service counter and made a polite enquiry. I read the lips and inferred he must have been asked to wait for a while. He left - I thought may be for a snack, he must have imagined a slightly longer wait from then.
I decided this was a moment for me to go for a second enquiry. After a bit of head scratching and looking at her computer screen, she said my application has been allocated and is under consideration. And she asked me to wait.
I went for one more spammer.
Around 1245pm, she called my number and gave me back my documents. I looked surreptitiously, down at the letter. I was so happy inside to see the word - 'approved' in the letter
Below were the documents I submitted:
1. Payslips, stamped and signed by accountant on normal A4 printout
2. Dividend vouchers - I took printouts on yellow coloured papers. I signed them. I also made my company rubber stamps. So I stamped them myself too.
3. Personal Bank Statements - original from Barclays
4. Business Bank Statements - original
5. Accountant Letter, mentioning net dividends and gross salary
6. Company Incorporation certificate
7. VAT Registration certificate
I had carried along invoices (I had taken printouts in pink coloured paper and stamped with my company stamp myself) and Management account (profit/loss account) from my accountant, just in case they asked, I thought. But I didnt submit them.
I had highlighted the relevant amounts with an asterisk (*) in the payslips, dividend vouchers, personal bank statements, business bank statements.
I had also provided a main cover letter and another cover letter for previous earnings (there I summarised all the net salary and net dividends coming in and going out with the dates).
Thanks again to all the guys here.
Hope you find this useful. And good luck.
