A big thanks to the forum and particularly those people who advised me in different stages of my ILR application process.
My experience with Solihull PEO today:
A brief history:
3 yrs Tier 1 + 2 yrs Work Permit (two different employers)
26 days short to reach 5years continuous stay
Appointment was booked before 29 days of qualifying period..(My biggest worry till today)
221 days out of UK, no single trip more than 90 days.
No dependent for ILR.
Appointment: 11:30 am @ Solihull peo
arrived at peo: 10:45am
Reception: Asked for application form and passport + appointment reference
allowed in by security after traditional security checks. Security guy said that he will try to give a slot before the booked one.
Issued a token and was asked to wait for call.
waited for 10 minutes.
Called to go to counter 4.
Caseworker: A lady, greeted us. (my wife was accompanying me)
Asked for application form and passport. A glance on application form and the out of uk detail page of application form.
Then she carried out few checks in her computer and mark the relevant boxes in a paper (I think it was check list).
She went behind the counter to have a word with someone.
after couple of mins. she came back and asked for salary slips and bank statements. x checked.
Asked for LIUK test. (score 100%):)
Asked for photographs.
After few mins, the breaking news I was waiting for:
We are issuing ILR,:):D and now u need to pay at counter 6. Told us details about biomatric card and its process.
Within 15 mins decision was taken.
The big request now for my wife's FLR(M)
There was not any appointment booked for my wife's application.
I requested the caseworker whether is it possible for her to consider my wife's application as well. She smiled and said she will ask someone at the back, she went back and came back with a smile
and asked if the form and all relevant docs, are in hand then she will give it a go.She asked for application form and passport:
A big shock - She said that FLR(M) is not the relevant form. She gave me FLR(O). I raised my eyebrow, she consoled me by saying ''trust me its right form you need to fill even you got ILR now''.javascript:emoticon(':)')
I started filling the new application form very quickly even missing few segments.
Handed over it to her.
She asked for marriage certificate. Provided.
Went behind the counter for few mins, came back and informed us that my wife will get her FLR
. She gave a new token for my wife as well and asked to go to counter 6 for payment.''u r very very lucky' she commented.
Moved to counter 6. Two direct debit and three credits cards were ready in case any mishap. Payment gone through with debit cards
.Came back to waiting room. My no. was already called for bio-metric. Biometric done within 15mins.
Asked to come back after one and half hr to collect letters.
Went to Solihull town centre for a chill and collected letters afterward:).
AGAIN, A BIG THANKS TO FORUM AND ALL MEMBERS FOR YOUR LOVELY SUGGESTIONS AND ADVISES!!!
:):)