Post
by ashishashah » Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:40 pm
Ok..
Here is my unique experience.
Went to Home office at 7.30..At the door ,I was asked to show the form at the entrance..
First response was “this is not the right form .It is for application for outside UK"I was terrified..I knew that I was correct,but was not able to convince them.I told them the history,but they were like “never seen any thing like this before!!!” .Anyways, requested them to check,they came back and said ,yes,you can go but this case is very rare.
I took a big sigh of relief.Cann't they say this is new and we need to check this, rather then -sorry wrong form,go back!!!
Next:1st level of validation..
The person at the counter asked me :Why are you not applying for ILR?
I told him that I don’t qualify
I had taken print out of my form on back to back(form was 10 pages),so he asked me :why didn’t you print it on 1 side?I just told him sorry.(It was not mentioned on the form ,so i was trying to save some trees,but didnt say any thing)
Anyways,paid the money by CC
The lady at the counter : you are increasing our work by printing double side,now I will ahve to take photocopy of 1st page..
Me:Sorry
I was given a token and told to wait.
after 20 min,my number was called.
Me:Hello,good morning!!!
Case worker:Give me the form.
Me:Passed on the form:
CW:This is a wrong form!!!
Me:No,I checked it,it's correct
CW:No..may be you didn’t take the full print out.
Me:I am applying under HSMP JR for FLR
CW:No,HSMP JR is for settlement..
Me:???
CW:Never seen any thing like this before…I am amused
Me:I am applying uder HSMP JR for FLR…
CW:Sorry,I have only delat with settlement application before…
ME:!!!
(CW shows it to her collegues)
CW:We all are AMAZED!!!,sorry never seen like this before
CW asked me for last 12 months sal paers,I tried to tell her that its not reqd and I don’t have,but she was like well,I need them.
I gave her my payslips,bak statement etc..She said thats it.
Me:you might need my original HSMP letter dated june/06 to prove my JR qualification..
CW:Oh yes,please ..Sorry I forgot
Me:Do you need marriage certi and birthcerti?
CW:No,not reqd
Me:??
Me:Please find the steps to follow for HSMP JR case for which I have taken printout(Gave her printout about HSMP JR for FLR etc from UKBA website)
CW:Thats very helpful,thanks..I havent dealt with any thing like this,so thanks
Me:No prob..
Me:I am sure you would like to have job applications to confirm my economic activity
CW:No,not needed
Me:Ok(If you havent done this before,how can you say what is needed?)
To cut the story short:I was called after 10 minutes, and asked why I don’t want to apply for ILR (I was finishing my 5 years in Jan 12 )…She told me that I am eligible for ILR now as I can apply for ILR before 3 months(She thought that I was not applying for ILR as i had entered the country late after my 1st stamp).
I was very tensed,I knew that her “core skills” was settlement (as she had mentioned )but I was not there for ILR..
Anyways,she asked me if I can show proof of relationship with my wife for 2 years .I was more confused..I said ,I have marriage certificate.
We were obviously looking at different case (or so i thought) .I realised She was trying for ILR (She was trying to help me to get ILR,but honestly I was applying for FLR )..
I told her that I cannot apply for ILR because of my 1 year absence..She called her senior..I explained her and her senior :‘Why you didn’t tell us about your absense?”..
Me :I am not applying for ILR,I am applying for FLR ,FURTHER LEAVE TO REMAIN,but CW is telling me some thing about ILR.I didnt ask for ILR as I have long gaps in my stay
Supervisor :Ok and went away
We were back to square one.
CW:Sorry,you don’t qualify!!!!!!!!!!!
Me:What??????!!!!!(I was getting a heart attack!!!)
CW:I can give you FLR but!!!
Me:thanks (That’s what I am here for, and I had filled up form for same and was trying to explain)
CW:Why you went out of country?
Me:all history (Concerned,why she was asking me)
CW:For ILR, you need to give reason for absenses,so if you give valid reason you can apply for ILR in 2012
Me:Ok,thanks(Thinking not bothered about ILR really,please give me FLR)
CW:But if you want you can apply for ILR in 2012 or 2014.Safer to apply by post …We are really busy and will reject ILR straight away in 2012
Me:Ok(Really worried about my FLR now,just not listening)
CW:I had similar case for ILR where absense was for 1 year,but I managed to give him ILR .But I cannot promise you..You need to apply by post with proof ,you can get ILR in 2012 nov..Try your luck
Me:Nodding (FLR please!!!!)
CW:Come back after 3 hours
Me:Same counter?
CW:no 22 (Customer help)
Me:Thanks(Didnt know what to say, as she was not aware about HSMP FLR JR and i was not aware about HSMP JR ILR .We were completely on different planet)
She kept going around to her colleagues for next 2 hours.I could see her and was getting worried.
After 3 hours ,I got my and dependent PP with 3 years ext .
Only hitch(?) was in type of visa it was mentioned as Leave to remain (No HSMP/Tier 1 etc ).Even for dependents same thing ..
I wanted to go back ,but looking at her skills,relevant experience decided not to go back.
Any ways,bottom line is :
1)They really shock you with vague answers
2)They are trying to be hlpful,but without proper knowledge they can really put you back..
3)I was surprised that no one had seen HSMP JR FLR form ever!!!Even case workers were left wondering (she told me that she has shown my HSMP FLR form to every one,but no had seen it before)
4)They would have even GIVEN me ILR if I hadn’t mentioned my absence honestly (that too without any ILR forms,ILR docuements etc…I even don’t know how ILR form looks like!!!)..Kind of shows their willingness to help ,but they also overlook obvious facts.
P.S :This might help some other members, who are worried about their 1st entry to Uk after 1-2 months..I am not sure what exact rule is ,but I was told by case worker that for HSMP , 3 months "buffer" applies..So you can apply for ILR after 4 years 9 months under HSMP..(Disclaimer:This was told by a case worker who has never seen HSMP FLR form,so take it with a pinch of salt,but explore this option!!!!)
My Thanks to the forum members and Sush!!!
Last edited by
ashishashah on Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.