Dear All,
Let me begin by thanking each and everyone in this forum who have helped me to get my Tier 1 extension.
This forum has been my major mentor while applying for HSMP and Tier 1 Ext and I have learnt a lot here.
I have applied HSMP/Tier 1 for at least 10 friends (with different complex issues) from the experiences and instances that
I came to know here.
Coming to my in person experience:
I was on HSMP Visa and applied for extension through Tier 1 (General) on 15th Jan 2010.
Case: HSMP Extension - Tier 1 General
Applied in person: 15/01/10 - 9.00am - Croydon PEO
Application Approved: 11:55am
Visa Collected: 12.15pm
I hold a HSMP Visa valid between Feb 08 - Feb 10 After the extension, Tier 1 (General) - Feb 10 - Feb 2013
I have booked via online on 15th December 2009 (~ 3pm).
I was trying for an online appointment everyday for a couple of days and luckily I got one slot for 9:00 am on 15th at PEO Croydon.
I came to London bridge and took the train from Platform 13 to EastCroydon, from there it was a 5-7min walk to PEO Croydon.
I took a print out of google maps with me, it was quite easy to get to Lunar house.
8:30 - 8:35 Reached PEO croydon and went through the airport style security.
8:35 - 8:45 The staff were very friendly and there was a small line of 5 people before me in the ground floor to enter into the
preliminary check counters.
8:45 - 8:55 Preliminary check
In my case only my name was checked and a stamp saying 'Valid' was palced where my name was present and the document
was stapled and was just asked to show my photos, no documents or bank statements were checked.
I was given a token number and told that I have to pay at a counter in first floor and go to a counter in second floor.
8:55 - 9:00 PAYMENT of FEES £1020 - Debit card
There were 3 counters operating and the payment was real quick at the counter to which I went.
The lady was typing into the computer, as if she wants to break the keyboard, it was quick though.
9:00 - 9:40 By the time I reached third floor, the caseworker lady was calling my token number. The speaker at the counter was really really low
so I have to press my ears hard to hear what she was saying.
The lady asked for the "application" and I heard it as "appointment" letter and started giving appointment letter
She just pushed that away and started signalling toward the application form.
The she asked me to give my original degree certificate, I have ticked that I have proved my education qualification previously, but luckily I took my original degree certificate along with me, which helped!
Then she asked me to give last 12 pay slips, as I lost one of the payslips and could not get hold of the previous employer, I worked for 3 employers in the previous year.
I told that I am corroborating my payslips and bank statements with P60.
I think she is new to handling Tier 1 cases, so started getting tense (yes, it was not me, the caseworker was getting tense and I had no clue how to fill her with confidence)
I told her a couple of times that I have P60 till Apr 2009, and this should be considered till April and as I have payslips post April, she could use them for earnings post April.
she started getting even confused when I gave ICICI Bank UK bank statement for last 3months maintenance funds requirement.
Though I had enough funds in my salary account(HSBC), I thought providing additional funds would help (which turned out to be a mistake)
I provided ICICI UK account statement as an additional evidence, the dot matrix copy I think really baffled her and she asked me
whether it was an international bank account, I said "No it is ICICI UK bank"
Anyway then I provided her with bank statements, and she started matching the values on the payslips to the bank statements. Finally after going through all the bank statements,
she looked less nervous. she finally said that she was doubtful with the missing payslip so she would go and speak with her manager.
I waited there, trying to figure out how best I could make her understand that I am providing bank statements, payslips and P60 and still why she was getting confused.
She came back after couple of minutes smiling and said that her manager told that she could go ahead without considering the month for which I could not provide payslip and as I am getting the points
which I need, she said that one month would not matter, and she could process my application (But still did not say "approve")
She said as processing requires a lot of paper work, it might take 2hours, so asked me to come back in two hours so that
she could let me know the decision.
I thanked her and left and thought it is better to run out and bury my head in sand.
9:40 - 11:20 I went out to whitgift centre and did rounds in almost all the stores to beat the 2hours and then when I came
back to the PEO office, I found that I have to go through the security thing again, and this time because there are loads of people
( I overheard that they were seeking asylum, I also observed how differently they were treated by the staff...) it took good 5min waiting
and 5min in line for the security check.
11:20 - 11:45 I went back to the third floor and saw that the lady was processing someone else so I just sat there waiting what to do.
In the meantime one of the staff came to me and asked
what I was waiting for, I told her that I am applying for Tier1 and I was asked to comeback in two hours, she said that
it would normally be in first floor and asked me whether I am sure it is in this floor, I said I was told to come here.
Then she went away.
11:55 - 12:05 After the caseworker finished with the other case, she asked me to come in and finally told the good news that I was given Tier 1 extension.
Though she said because the payslip was missing feb sal was not considered. She asked me to go to first floor counter 16 to collect the passport.
12:05 - 12:15 Collected passport with the Tier 1 visa, checked everything in order (name & expiry), placed a good job feedback.
Overall a really pleasant experience I should say, though the caseworker was not aware of stuff, everyone seem to be polite and helpful.
Thanks everyone who share their experience and invaluable guidance.
Really appreciate Immigration Boards.
Cheers,
Mohan C