ILR in person application - Croydon or Solihull

[ks2011]

Hi,
I need to book in person appointment for ILR. Which one is better - Croydon or Solihull ? I have read lot of cases today on this forum regarding delays at Croydon and successful cases at Croydon. Croydon is close to me. Friend of mine suggested Solihull who got ILR 2 years ago.

Can you share your thoughts please.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thanks
Kisha

[CR001]

I used Croydon twice, never had a problem or delay. I would say that Croydon is the main PEO.

It really depends on how straightforward your case is and if you meet all the requirements.

[travelerzee]

i was granted ILR at Solihull in October. they were really nice and my case was approved very quickly. i went with the closest PEO to me. not having to worry about the additional transport or overnight accommodation was helpful! I dont think i'd have coped with any more stress

[fielddrive]

most of the people i know have had very good experiences in Solihull, Cardiff and Sheffield.

dont know anyone including myself who's had a 'good' experience in Croydon

[ks2011]

Hi,
I am still in two minds, I will have to make 3 hours of one way travel with 2 little children for Solihull. Some of the posts about Croydon that they just hold some applications randomly frightens me as I need to travel abroad in Dec - Jan. Lost between Croydon and Solihull.

[blinguk]

I used Croydon twice, never had a problem or delay. I would say that Croydon is the main PEO.

It really depends on how straightforward your case is and if you meet all the requirements.

As CR001 says Croydon is the main PEO

I have gone thrice and it has been a smooth ride out in less than 4 hours
Croydon is close to you as well !

[WR1]

I would say its all down to how straight forward your application is.

[hsr1972]

I agree but what exactly mean straight forward applictation means, for example if you are applying as "Permanent employee " and show you earnings last 12 months without any breaking continuity and No convictions ?????? Does this mean "straightforward " applications so that you can apply in Croydon office ???? Kindly revert back to us.

-hsr_72

[ks2011]

well mine is straightforward.

[hsr1972]

Even i am applying in croydon .....as well.#

-hsr_72

[Turmeric]

I changed my appointment form Croydon to Solihull and very pleased with it.
Yes, I paid more money and spend more time to travel but the whole appointment process was stress free, no rush, no stupid questions, polite caseworkers. It took 1 hour 35 minutes to get the decision. It takes around 3 hours in Croydon.
Though a lot of people say that Croydon is now very good, I was not impressed with Croydon in 2011.

[blinguk]

well mine is straightforward.

if it is straight forward I would suggest go to Croydon.

[samira_uk]

some points should be considered in this discussion:
1-number of appointments is significantly higher in Croydon (i guess there are about 250 slots per day in Croydon whereas 250 per week in Solihull) so it is more probable that you hear more about problematic cases in Croydon
2-most of the skilled and high skilled worker (Tier 1 and Tier 2) are located in London and South East and so they prefer to apply in Croydon rather than travelling to the other cities.

[ukswus]

Someone above has said that they changed their appointment from Croydon to Solihul, and were "very pleased" with it. Well, one cannot compare experience in Croydon in 2011 to Solihull in 2014, because Croydon is now much better than it used to be. I had mine and my partner's application there approved in under one hour earlier this year in Croydon. Croydon is also more likely to have senior caseworkers who may deal with challenging questions. So, for me, Croydon would be an easy choice, especially if travel with small children is involved.