Hi haris_zam,
Good to hear from you again. The person you are referring to who got his ILR Biometric Card in 3 weeks time goes by the name of , "D3thmark" He attended the Sheffield PSC(Premium Service Center). If you click on the link below for Tab SET(LR),
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... iew?pli=1#
You shall see that at No. 32 for D3thmark on the list where he states,
Varied FLR FP application to SET LR 10 years, went same day premium service but they could not make a decision on the day as my passport was not with me, got decision after 3 weeks!
Rather than sending in an application by post and waiting for 5 to 6 months, It's still better to pay extra £400 for variation from FLR(FP) to SET(LR) and get ILR in 3 weeks. Getting ILR in 3 weeks has numerous benefits, first of all it quickly enables you to work, hence not relying on Tier 2 Sponsors List. Secondly you gain the benefit of applying for British Nationality early as well.
I confirmed this with my immigration solicitors and they too said that by going for PSC one can get his/her ILR in 3 to 4 weeks. Paying £400 extra basically puts you on the priority list to get your case sorted faster. It is note worthy that not all cases are decided by case workers at PSC on the same day. Going for PSC is hence a lot better than waiting for 6 months.
I shall be attending my appointment for variation from FLR(FP) to SET(LR), this month in December. I shall keep members at the forum updated, as soon as I attend my appointment at PSC. By the way haris_zam, its been more than 5 months ever since I applied for FLR(FP) and still haven't received any decision. Since its December and most of the Home Office staff shall be going on holidays, I doubt if any decision on my FLR(FP) would be made with in this month of December 2015. No decision means variation to SET (LR) with fee for FLR(FP) and IHS being refundable. From the way I have read, the Home Office does not makes a refund automatically. After a successful variation one has to send in an application for refund to Home Office at a specific address. I shall ask my solicitors more on refunds process in future.
All the best.