I am one of those who is silently following this forum & benefited from advises of some senior members!!!
here are my details:
initial visa applied: 06-Mar-09 (requested that time to give me visa from 06-Jun-09)
Initial visa valid from: 06-Jun-09 to: 06-Jun-12
First Entry to UK: 02-Sept-09 (89th Day)
Extension applied: 24-Apr-12 (at Croydon PEO)
Extension granted from: 06-Jun-12 to: 06-Jun-14
ILR applied, granted: 24-May-14
Documents I submitted:
Set O application form,
LIUK Pass notification letter
last 12 months payslips
Quarterly dividend vouchers in last 12 months
Accountant letter stating my position in the company, salary, dividends breakdown, accountant registration number
last 12 months bank statements (Personal & Business Banking both)
PBS calculator showing my degree exists in the database
company incorporation form
recent tax receipts showing tax paid to HMRC by limited company
passports
biometric card
last 12 months invoices, client contracts
My appointment is at 8:50, however I reached there by 8:20. Due to few people booked the appointments - I have been directly sent to fee payment counter to verify my payment, then to register my details. the person who registered my details told that I will come under self employment and my application will take longer than expected due to lot number of checks to be done on my application, on hearing that I am stunned and surprised, but later I thought he is not a caseworker and doesn't matter with his views about my application. with in couple of mins I have been called to another counter for bio-metrics. by 8:50 all the formalities have been completed and I have asked to wait in cafeteria until my number is called. at around 10:00 my number is called and a lady who is returning my documents told that your application is approved
and we will send you biometric card in 7 days.
checked the approval letter and everything looks fine.
a total of 35 days in 5 yrs I have been outside UK - I haven't submitted any cover letter for them