I got ILR success at Croydon yesterday. This forum has helped a lot through the process. Here is the description of the day and other information which may be useful.
Appointment Time: 1:30 pm
Application Type: Set(O) switching from Tier 2
Current status: Completed 5 years continuous residence with same employer.
Applicants: Self, spouse and son (born in the UK so maybe was not required as I would now be applying for naturalisation but I did not want to take any chances)
Documents, etc that were required:
1. Completed SET(O) form
2. Appointment number (if you booked onlione then you get some reference number and not this appointment number. this number is sent in email and SMS few days before the appointment)
3. Payment (I paid by debit card)
4. P60 for all 5 years
5. Employer letter (for switching from Tier 2 this was ALSO required to state that the current salary is above the threshold for type of employment as per code of practice)
6. Passports for all applicants and BRP (if BRP has been granted in previous extension application)
7. Birth certificate for son
8. 12 months payslips
9. 12 months bank statement for account in which salary is paid
10. English language proof for all adults (We had life in the UK test pass certificate for myself and spouse)
11. Proof of cohabitation for last 2 years (We had council tax statements but read the details of day's description below)
12. Photographs (2 for each applicant)
13.Photocopies of all documents
We reached at about 1:10. The nearby street parking is maximum 2 hours. We parked on Dingwall road parking but it is 2 pounds per hour and I believe there are cheaper multi-storey parking places nearby.
> STEP1: Ground floor 20-25 minutes: As we reached we passed through security checks which took just a few minutes and then there was a queue of about 10 people for the five payment counters on ground floor. A lady asked us the type of appointment and when we said premium ILR she asked us for booking number (the one received on SMS/email). We were straightaway sent to the hall across the lifts which has about 10+ counters. This is where they do some preliminary checks. The person at the counter asked me for the form and the passports (+BRPs if applicable). Then he went through the form and asked some questions while asking for other documents along the way. He also asked some question like have you had a traffic offence, how many employers have you worked for etc. This process took about 20 minutes and then he gave us a token number and told us to go to first floor. I think the whole purpose of these initial checks is to ensure the application looks ok in general before they take payment, etc. Basically a kind of filter to MINIMISE the rejects further in the process. We were escorted by a personnel to the first floor in a lift.
> Step 2: FIRST FLOOR 2.5-3 hours: We first went to the payment counters on the left and made the payment. There were two counters open and noone there so it took about 5 minutes during which the lady collected the payment, took and kept the payment details page and gave us two payment receipts (one the usual customer copy and other the more important proof of payment with a stamp). She also gave us a token number. We then entered the big hall in the first floor with about thirty counters and lots of seating and people. Our ticket number did not appear in any list for some time and we kept wondering whether we have missed any announcement. Also since the numbers are distributed for all types of applications it was difficult to fgure out where we stand. after about 20 minutes our token number started appearing at the bottom of waiting list for non-biometric applications, i.e. 20th in line.
Finally after about 2 hours our turn came. We went to the appropriate counter and sat down (there are 2 wide seats in front of each counter). Once there the person did not say anything and after about 30 seconds I asked him whether I should give him the form. He said yes and the payment receipt. I gave him the form and the payment receipt. Then again as he took them I kept wondering whether I should give passports other documents etc. I believe they expect us to give them all required documents and photocopies, basically everything, but the person did not make it clear and it became a bit strange during the process. Anyway he kept checking and doing his work and asked me to sit down whenever I was standing impatiently. There were a few minor hiccups (see below) but finally after about 30 minutes he returned all original documents (except letter from employer, passports and BRPs) and said "YOUR APPLICATION IS SUCCESSFUL AND I AM GRANTING YOU ILR". Now the visas will be printed and your token number will be called at counter number 22 to collect your passports which can take up to an hour. It did not take an hour and in about 10 minutes our number was called and we collected the passports. Hooray!
Minor Hiccupts:
1. I gave only 6 months of payslips but they needed 12 months. Luckily I had all documents in the backup (as like everyone I had two sets, one main set and one maybe needed set). I gave him the other 6 months from the backup and also told him photocopies are only for 6 months and he took the rest of photocopies. I think it is best to take 12 months of payslips and bank statements.
2. My letter from employer did not state that the pay is above the threshold for the type of employment. He asked me about my job. I told him what I do and then he checked in which industry to which I said IT. He then took a printout which had a list of job profiles and asked me which one fits. I told him the one that i thought fitted best (just making sure the salary on my latest P60 is well above the amount mentioned against that). I think he knew my income is well above which it is and just had to complete his job). He also asked me how much I earn and I said the amount and also said "as also in my latest P60". Another factor I had in my favour was that I had just got my tier 2 extension last week.
3. Co-habitation documents - When he asked for it I was a bit reluctant because all I had were some council tax bills and I showed my reluctance by saying that the form says "SINCE LAST GRANTED LEAVE" but he was not interested. We were also carrying my infant daughter in lap and he asked me whether I have her birth certificate. I said she is not applying and doesnt even have passport but he asked to see the birth certificate which I retrieved from my backup set and gave him. Later I realise he would have used for cohabitation
. I also gave him council tax bills which he readily took and added to his paperwork.WELL THAT'S IT. NOW I GUESS IT IS TIME TO MOVE TO THE OTHER SUB-FORUM FOR NATURALISATION OF MY CHILDREN.
Any queries etc please post and I will help where I can