ILR success at Liverpool PEO on 7th November 2014

[bhp]

Thanks to this forum, I prepared my ILR application so well that it was a walk in the park to me!.

Let me explain my case.
> Tier-1 General in all 5 years
> Initial entry clearance was from 1st December 2009 to 1st December 2012.
> Entered UK on the morning of 01-Dec-2009 with a job offer in hand.
> In November 2012 went for visa extension and granted extension until 1st December 2014.
> On 7th November 2014 went for ILR (i.e. 25 days before completion of 5 years stay)
> Permanent employment for all 5 years.
> Total absence of 102 days.
> My current employer gave an absence letter to certify my absences since the period I started working for them.
> My previous employer did not keep absence records for ex-employees so I asked them to give a letter stating the same which they did. Now because of this I also attached a self certified letter stating all my leaves were paid and put the table of dates to show that the period of continuity was never broken in the last 5 years. This is done by backdating from the date of your ILR application.
> In section 6.3, I ticked only the box for absence letter from employer.

My experience - My appointment was at 10am, but we were there at the PEO at 9.30am itself, Allowed to go inside after the airport style checks. Given a coupon and it was 10:30 by the time biometrics were taken and then the application went to caseworker. Then just asked to wait. At 12:45, we were called to tell that our ILR was approved and given our approval letter.

Icing on the cake was that not a question was asked on my application by anybody at any stage!.

Here are the documents I submitted

Bundle-1
Passports and BRPs
Application form
Payment printout page
Photographs
Photocopy of all non-blank pages in passport (for both main applicant and dependant)

Bundle-2 (KOLL)
Life in the uk certificates x 2 (dependant's and mine)
English language certificate (trinity b1 esol - dependant)
Main applicant's PBS points calculator summary printout
My UK master's degree to prove my english and qualification (didn't need to submit but did so to avoid any questions)

Bundle-3 (my earnings and absences)
Letter from HR of current employer confirming permanent employment and absences
Payslips
Matching bank statements (put a small post-it at the end of every month's salary credit denoting it as Month12, Month11, Month10...etc)
Letter from HR of previous employer stating that they do not have ex-employee's absence records
Self certified letter stating all were paid leaves and also continuity period not broken ever
5 years P60 (not required but just kept to answer any questions on economic activity in the uk)

Bundle-4 (Cohabitation)
Marriage Certificate
Water bills for 2 years
Council tax bills for 2 years
Tenancy agreements for 2 years
Paper counterpart driving license (just to show that there are no driving offences)
Electoral roll registration and electoral cards , whatever we got in the last 2 years
NHS letter from GP confirming registration at the surgery since whenever
Wife's employment letter from her HR confirming her employment since whenever. (note- Dependant's absence details are not required)

Bundle-5
1 Photocopy of all the above docs except the application form.
The photocopy was not returned to us in the end. They also retained the photocopy of all non-blank pages in passport (for both main applicant and dependant) in bundle-1


Any questions, please ask and i shall be glad to answer to the best of my knowledge.

Regards,
BHP

[hsr1972]

@Bhp -Congratulations for your ILR ... Is it P60 is mandatory for Tier 1 General because i heard it is not mandatory for Tier 1 route ? Secondly if you are less than 180 days absence is it employer letter is mandatory ? Finally do we need to submit Original degree certificate because in Set O form there is an option that you have already proved your Degree during your initial tier 1 application ? Kindly revert back to me.

-hsr_72

[bhp]

Hello Hsr1972

You are right about P60, no requirement to show all 5 years. I kept it because my ex-employer was unable to confirm my absences and the P60 was to show economic activity for all 5 years.

The employer letters are mandatory as per immigration rules as well as asked in the set o application. However there are many cases that one may not be able to obtain such letters, in those situations I thought its best to keep a self certified letter and show that you have attempted to get the letters. I know there are lot of threads in this forum which have said that no letter is required for absences less than 180 days, I hope its 100% true but I have not read anything like it in the immigration rules so I did not want to take any chances.

Yes again no requirement to provide original certificate but its only 1 piece of paper, why not keep it if you have it?.

See the key is that provide as much evidence as you can so that they find all answers to their questions.
I am sure you would not want the case worker turn to you for any explanations unnecessarily.

Regards,
BHP

[aparekh82]

My Scenario

I'd be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in
few months. i.e Jan 2015

My First application as Tier 1 General Migrant was on 07/02/2010

My 5 years stay period will finish in Jan 2015

During these 5 year period I have taken

15 Holiday abroad to India

in total I have spend 150 days outside UK in span of 5 years.

My problem is I don't have record of what was paid and what was non paid holiday out of these 150 days as the frequency was 15 times. I was also part time employed during 2011-2012 on zero hour contract so no way I can get employer letter for absence for that period.


MY Question
1)Do I need to provide any evidence from current and ex employer for these day off or I just need LETTER FROM MYSELF EXPLAINING MY DAY OF AS THEY ARE LES THAT 180 DAYS IN 5 YEARS and I am applying via Tier 1 general Route

2) As part of the essential documentation, do I (main-applicant) need
to produce a letter from my employer stating the dates I was
outside the UK and for what reason?; even if the total number of
days in 5 year continuous period prior to application does not
exceed 180 days?

3)Also, generally would any letter be required from myself or my
employer if the number of days outside UK is less than 180?


kr Arihant


Below is the detail of my absence from UK

Barclays 2010-2011
30 March to 09th April 2010 =10 Days
8th July to 19th July 2010 =11 days
6 December to 26December 2010 = 20 Days

Barclays 2011

11 th Feb to 24 Feb 2011 = 13 Days
8 th MAY TO 26 May 2011 = 18 Days



Zari Direct Letter 2011- 2012 zari direct letter start 09/07/2012 finish 31/03/2012

12 th July to 23rd July 2011 = 11 Days emergency holiday

4 th Octomber to 12 Octomber 2011 = 8 days emergency holiday

2 to 10 Jan 2012 = 11 days annual leave

2012-2013 zari dir

14 to 27 May 2012 = 13 days Annualleave

11 to 28 Sep 2012= 17 days annual leave

2 to 7 Nov 2012 = 5 days Brother Death emergency leave

2013


2013-2014 Zari E


Zari Exclusive letter 2013
12 to 23 May 2013 = 10 days annual leave
22 to 31 OCT 2013= 9 Days annual leave
18 to 23 OCT =4 DAYS China annual leave

Zari Exclusive letter 2014

2 to 8 April = 6 days annual leave

[bhp]

Hi Aparekh,

Try getting letters from your employers if you can, if not self certify a letter stating that you have tried to obtain the letters from employers but they have not been able to for whatever reason. In the same letter, put the chart of how they calculate the continuous period and state the reason of absences (paid holiday / unpaid holiday). As you have not crossed 180 days, hopefully your case should be straightforward.

Regards,
BHP

[hsr1972]

@bhp thanks for your response and advise.

-hsr_72

[ILRUK2014]

Dear BHP,

I have attached the self assessment showing 10 points for degree taught in English, Is this good enough or do i need to take a letter from UK NARIAC.

Thanks a lot

[bhp]

Yes it is enough, but carry other pages of the self summary which shows your uni is recognized as UK bachelors equivalent. Also take your degree certificate.

[ILRUK2014]

thanks a lot BHP, i will carry all other doc as suggested. fingers crossed