Post
by asd21 » Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:52 pm
All,
I have my ILR (tier 2 general) granted today and thought I would share some experience from my case as I have benefited a lot from the helps here in this forum.
- Date of initial Tier 2 visa issue: 03/07/2014
- Date entering the UK: 20/08/2014
- Application submission online: 21/06/2019 (within 28 days before initial visa issue date - this is advised on this forum and also confirmed by UKVI when I called their phone helpline). I used super priority service.
- Appointment date: 26/06/2019 at 7.30am at Croydon Core Centre.
- Decision received: 26/06/2019 at 10.30am (I received an email at 10.30am but the status on my right to work on gov.uk website has changed since 10am). I read somewhere on this forum that sometimes the email comes quite late but the right to work status online is usually updated immediately once the application is granted.
When I submitted the application around 5pm on a Friday, there was no free appointment anywhere in London for the next 2-3 weeks. However, there were plenty paid appointments available from the next Monday onward for a fee from £50-£100 at Croydon centre, and for over £200 fee at their enhanced locations as well. I opted for the cheapest available option £50 at Croydon.
The documents I submitted - Tier 2 general:
Required documents:
- Passport
- Signed declaration
- BRP
- Employment letter - as I have been with the same employer for the past 5 years, they provided me with 1 letter stating my employment details as well as my absences.
- Latest 1 month payslip
- Latest 1 month bank statement - my monthly bank statement cycle is an odd one where I got my most recent one on 24 May (which doesn't show my May salary) and next bank statement on 28 June which would be later than my application date. So I went to Barclays branch and asked them to print all transactions for the past month, my name, address and stamp all pages. I also explained this in my cover letter.
- Life in UK test pass notification
- Degree certificate and NARIC letter confirming the equivalent degree in the UK, AND confirming the level of english for that degree (C1 in my case)
- Evidence of immigration status in the UK - this is one of the required document in the application check list, besides BRP card. I was a little confused as BRP should suffice as the evidence of immigration status. However, as I have my latest tier 2 visa extension approval letter and COS, I submitted them as well and mentioned it in my cover letter.
Additional documents that I submitted:
- Cover letter - I personally think it is helpful to include a cover letter stating all documents you are submitting, and explaining any points that you feel necessary in respect of your application.
- ISA statement - I submitted this just in case because most of my savings are in ISA account. However, as far as I know, there is no requirement on minimum fund required for Tier 2 general route.
There were a few questions which may seem confusing when filling in the online form:
- Date you entered the UK: the form does mention that this is the date your application will be based on so I was confused if I should put the entry visa issue date or the date I actually entered the UK. I did call UKVI helpline to ask and they said that it is the date you actually entered the UK.
- Period between visa issue date and date entering the UK will be counted towards 180 days absence. However, I did not include this period in the application form or employer absence letter. I was advised on this forum and from my company's immigration consultant that it is not necessary as HO can tell from your passport.
- Countries that you visited: the form only let you choose 1 country for each absence so I put the first destination that I arrived at after departing the UK and mentioned other countries that I visited on that trip in the reason box.
Overall it was quite a straightforward process for me, mostly as I think my case is a clear one. I think it is best not to overthink and try not to over-complicate your application by submitting tons of other documents that are not required.