see text in bold italics for possible guidance in case you have a similar situation
Hi
Just wanted to write some notes up regarding my experience at PEO Liverpool yesterday (16th May).
Type of application: SET (O)
Visa: Tier 1 (switched from Work Permit in 2009)
Type of employment: Ltd Company (self-employed)
No. of applicants: 1 + 2 dependants
Stage 1: I had a 9 a.m. appointment and as per the appointment guidelines I was there by 8:30 a.m. Straight forward airport style security check.
Stage 2: provide name at reception and went in. Got called for initial document and passports checks. I guess the key check here apart from passports was the 'Life in the UK test certs'. The lady did ask if I had all the documents (she named a few like payslips, bank statements etc).
Note: When I originally signed up on the UKBA portal I provided details for 3 dependants (wife and 2 kids). Once entered, this information cannot be changed (not even by the UKBA customer service folks, I checked). In my case I eventually ended up only with 2 dependants on my application as my younger child was born in the UK so I am now going to do an MN1 form for him. The appointment confirmation says that the number of applicants appearing (amongst other data) should match the registered details. I was told by UKBA on the phone that allowing 'less' no. of attendees than what was originally entered online is at the discretion of the PEO officers. In my case this wasn't a problem. The officer at the first window just asked who isn't attending and struck the name off her list.
Stage 3: Anyway, got a token and proceeded to next window for fee payment. Again pretty straightforward - you present the card that you have filled details for in the application and the person at the window processes the payment. I didn't have to call my bank (HSBC) that a big payment was going out, however I understand this could vary from one bank to another, so do check.
Stage 4: With damage to the tune of a little short of 3k now done, we went and waited in the waiting area. Got called by a caseworker who checked the passports, the payment receipt and then said 'give me all the documents you have in support of the application'. So I handed over the following:
1. passports (ofcourse!)
2. Life in the UK test certs
3. payslips X 12
4. div vouchers (as applicable for the period you are claiming)
5. personal bank statements X 12
6. business bank statements X 12
7. letter from accountant
8. List of absences
9. documents supporting lack of initial entry stamp in my passport (see 'Stage 6.5' below for more this topic)
I did not handover the cohabitation documents, I did ask her however if she'd like to see those. She replied 'your wife has been here for over 2 years so that's not required'
Stage 5: Caseworker handed the token back saying that we would be called for biometrics, which happened after 3-4 mins and the biometrics part is pretty straightforward. Fingerprints and photo and that's it. Finished that and went back to caseworker.
Stage 6: CW took the token back and asked us to wait.
Stage 6.5: I entered the UK via Luton from Ireland so I didn't have to come through immigration checks, and therefore no entry stamp on my passport (which is done on the Work permit/tier 1 stamp). The CW called me over to her desk and initially said they may not be able to process my application on the day as I don't have an entry stamp until after 4 months of entry. I had documentary evidence to prove that I did actually enter the UK on the date I quoted in the application. So handed that over and she went over to another officer and was back in less than a minute to confirm she can proceed. In case you are in this situation, here is what I had as evidence:
1. e-ticket for that travel
2. Bill from the hotel that checked into at the time of arrival
3. payslips for about 4 months from entry
Stage 7: CW reviewed all the documents and about an hour later she called me over to say their systems are quite slow and that she is awaiting the results for a few checks. She did say 'nothing to worry about'. I didn't frankly try to understand what sort of checks they as that would make no difference but if you are keen I presume someone in this forum may have an idea.
CW said I can go out and be back in an hour's time.
Stage 8: Returned back in about an hour and CW called me pretty much straightaway. Confirmed that application is successful and that biometric cards will be sent by courier to home address in 7 working days. She returned all originals and passports along with a letter. The letter doesn't actually talk about the ILR or for how long etc.. it's only about the biometric cards etc so don't panic if you don't get a 'congrats, you are successful' type of letter as is the case with Tier 1 applications etc.
Stage 9: well! pack up!
Few observations (some could be specific to Liverpool PEO).
1. Please don't walk in with any sort of prejudice about the way the staff might treat you. I found the folks at Liverpool super professional, very helpful and really polite. This includes officers at the security checks all the way to biometrics, payments etc.
2. As vague as the ILR documentation requirements seem to be, if you follow the checklist in the application form, you'll have everything covered. When asked for docs, only just submit the minimum. DON'T THINK they will reject an application just by assuming that a certain document doesn't exist. THEY ALWAYS ASK if they have a question. I am guessing the only exception to this is if you are found to have produced fraudulent docs or have some sort of a black mark in your immigration history.
3. I was quite stressed out myself during the preparation of the application mainly because I was waiting for documents (from bank and accountant etc) till the last minute, but also due the complication of the entry stamp I had in my application. Thanks to the CW, I was pretty relieved even before my stamp thing was questioned and this is credit totally to the staff and their way of working. I don't suppose any of you would be less stressed after reading my notes but I genuinely believe there is absolutely no need for stress. Easy for me to say all this now that I am done but hope it encourages a few.
4. Liverpool PEO is in an excellent location, less than a minute (and mostly pedestrianised) from nice shops and cafes etc so in my view better than Croydon.
Hope someone finds this notes useful.
Last but not least thanks to all the moderators and other members of this forum. Some have helped by answering to my questions directly while some have done so indirectly through other posts.
Nirmal
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