Recommended by friend earlier this year, since then I have taken a lot from wonderfull forum. I even didn't bother to check the official website. Got the magic ILR last Friday, now it's my turn to contribute.
Appointment Time: 11:55 am
Place: Croydon PEO
Type: SET (O) for me and my wife
Booked online appointment exactly 42 days before appointment date at exactly 00:01. Make sure to practise before using different dates to speed you up.
As I said previously I am pretty good at calculating dates, I booked my appointment on the very first day that I am eligible(28 days before current leave expires)
Left home at 08:15 due to it was the opening ceremony day lots of traffic was expected. Arrived 2.5 hours earlier traffic was as usual I guess. Spent 1.5 hours at the shopping centre picking up my lucky numbers for the 100 UK Millionaire draw that night
Went through the door around 45 mins before 11:55, then security check, payment counter, then was told to go to 1st floor. Timing: 12:00.
Waited about 15 mins, was called to the counter. Requested by an African lady beow items: passports, application form, ticket number and payment receipt. Waited for another 15 mins. Was told to go to 2nd floor. Timing: 12:30.
2nd floor: after about 20 mins, was called for Bio counter: photo taken and finger prints recorded. That chatty Irish guy said to us 'the Bio results will be taking at least 30 mins, please wait outside for your number to be called.' He was right, in about 40 mins my number was called by the case officer, who was a kind and smiling British lady. Timing: 13:15.
Case officer flipped my application form straight to the salary section, then requested all original documents as I've listed: P60, pay slips, bank statements and employer letter plus passorts and LIUK certificates. Then she said 'I will need your evidence of cohabitation, just one document for each year(2010, 2011 and 2012)' I gave her Barclays Annual statement covering 2011 to 2012 plus water bill for year 2010. She asked ' do you have anything else from your wife?' I said 'I've got more than you want, how about NHS card' She replied with a big and loud smile: OK I've got all the documents I need. It will take me 1 hour, do you want to go out or wait? I go 'I will be sitting in the back, let me know if you need anything.' Again she nodded with a big smile. Timing: almost 13:30
14:05: Heard the pleasant voice 'Ticket No. 144 please go back to counter 54.' That quick, I told my wife. As soon as I got back to the counter, case officer said 'your ILR has been approved, here is your letter. Your Bio card will be with you within 5 to 7 working days' I go ' thanks that was well less than an hour...' ' Oh, your case is straightforward', she replied.
It was a quite pleasant experience to us. No IT issues, not even many people attending that day, lots of staffs ready to help... I would suggest not to deliberately avoid Croydon it's not that bad at all.
Received my BRP card on 01/08, that was only 2 days after the ILR day. What can I say - more than happy I suppose.
Thank you everyone for your great contribution. Happy to take any questions...
