Applied ILR SET(O) from Tier-1
EC date: 6/5/2009
1st entry : 17/6/2009 (within 90 days)
Appointment at 9.30 AM
Arrived at Solihull PEO 8.45
Security check @ 8.50 AM
Forms signed and returned @ 9.00 and token given
A Guy came and asked for the documents @9.10
Bio metrics done @ 9.15 and the same lady told me to stay at PEO
Another lady came @ 9.25 and asked permission from me to keep all originals documents related to long absence. (Not sure why but I said yes)
The guy initially took my application came @ 9.38 and gave me the letter which states “ BRP will be posted in 7 days.....” and he said my application is approved and gave all originals apart from the evidence for long absence.
Croydon is only 20 mins drive from where I live, yet I drove all the way to Solihull, and I wasn’t disappointed got my ILR in less than 1 hour.
I didn’t include my dependents will apply for them around July 2014.
Some issues I had:
1. I have 2 long absence on my first year, 88 days(all unpaid) - I was in Qatar trying to establish a company which didn’t work however I included all evidence such as emails, tender documents & copy of my Qatar work Visa.
2. After failing in Qatar came to UK in October 2009, didn’t get a job so went to India for 4 weeks holiday (unpaid) – I gave a self explanatory letter for this leave as I am from Sri Lanka and my wife is from India (not a good combination when it comes to cricket match) anyway I explained that I need to spend time with my wife’s family to understand her culture(Grrrrr).
3. I owe £709 to HMRC due to exchange rate mismatch; my main Job pay is in Euro’s however I explained this in the cover letter that my tax code will be changed for this financial year.
4. Most business trips to Ireland and back doesn’t have a stamp on my return (every time you come to London city airport you have to pass the immigration however when you come to terminal 1 @ heathrow no immigration control, hence my exit stamps and return doesn’t match. Explained this in cover letter as well.
Main documents:
1) Cover letter
2) SET(O) form and 2 photos
3) Passports and BRP
4) LITUK pass letter
5) 12 pay slips with conversion to GBP (I am paid in Euro) -main Job (covering last 12 months)
6) 13 pay slips paid in GBP -part time (covering last 12 months paid every 4 weeks)
7) Bank statements for last 12 months showing the salary
7) absence letter from employer & self absence letter for unpaid holiday (all less than 180 days on a single trip)
Original MBA certificate & transcript from UK university for English.9) Employers letter stating I am an employee since the day I joined.
10) Self assessment summary
11) Appointment confirmation sheet
12) Payment confirmation sheet
13) photocopies of all above documents except the application form
Points to note :
1. Keep the documents to minimum as possible. I had few issues which I explained in the cover letter and didn’t include any originals but mentioned if they need I will provide.
2. Organise the original documents in a folder and photo copies in another folder. (my number was 4 and I got my ILR while no 1 is still organising the copies and original at the PEO)
3. I filled the new version form 04/2014 however the guy who took my application confirmed that I could still use the old form.
4. DONT fill the payment details, I was not sure hence I took 2 pages of this page one filled and one blank, I was told to attach the blank page along with the world pay receipt & payment sheet page, so no need to fill this page again.
5. No need to pay the extra amount if you have paid before 6/4/2014.
Make the case workers life is easier so you would get the approval quick.
All the best everyone, I would recommend Solihull PEO very efficient & friendly staff.
Shace
