Just wanted to share my experience, as I was successfully granted ILR today at Solihull PEO.
Overall a very good experience at this PEO, as it is very compact and quite relaxed compared to Croydon.
Appointment at 10 AM:
I reached there by 9.15 and they handed me a token and asked me to wait until I get called by the case worker.
10:05 - I was called in by the caseworker and he was a very friendly guy. He said he will validate my application first and asked me to hand over the form and passport to start with.
10:10 - Asked my LIUK pass certificate and he didn't offer me the score and I didn't want to know either.
10:15 - He figured out that my earnings are through my limited company and asked me what sort of services I provide through my company. I told him Im an IT consultant and he quickly nodded his head and moved on.
10:20 - He asked if I had letter from accountant and I handed him the letters with copies. He said he will take the originals, as they were addressed to the Homeoffice. So he returned the copies to me.
10:25 - He asked for dividend vouchers, payslips, personal bank statements and I gave all of them along with copies.
10:30 - He verified the bank statements, I already used a highlighter pen so it was easy for him to spot the transactions.
10:35 - At this point, he told me he is happy with the application and not looking for anything more. Also he said since I gave him the photocopies for all the documents it wont take long for them to give my decision. But he asked me to wait in the waiting area for payment and biometric.
10:40 - At a different counter, I went to make the payment and I was told that the debit card is not needed for processing the payment. They told me that the payment will be processed using the details from the form.
10:45 - Returned to waiting area
10:50 - Called for bio metric and it took less than 5 minutes
10:55 - Returned to waiting area
11:00 - I was informed that it wont take more than 30 minutes and If i wanted I can go for a short break outside
I went out to have a coffee/sandwich and returned sharp at 11.30.
11.30 - The security asked my token number and said the case has not come yet, but by the time he finished saying this one guy came in and handed over my documents.
11:35 - I was informed that the case is approved and will receive the bimoetric in 7-10 days.
11:40 - I took sometime to check if i got all the documents back, the information on the approval letter is fine etc and gave them their feedback too.
Useful information/tips:
> Used latest application form.
> I applied exactly 28 days before my visa expiry.
> I prepared a covering letter, but CW didn't ask for it.
> I had SP50 traffic offence(fine/points issued at court) in 2009, but not even a single question was asked. I had a clean CRB and PNC, but the caseworker did not even want to see this or he was not interested in this (this was one thing I was worried for months, but I was surprised that it didn't cause me any problem)
> I had < 180 days absence in total and all absences were <90 days at a stretch. But this too turned out to be a trivial aspect as the caseworker did not raise any question on my absences. I had both family & business visits.
I did not tick anything in section 6.3, as i thought this was not relevant to tier1
> Im limited company director and the caseworker was keen to see one or two HMRC letters as proof of my payments. I had my corporation tax payment receipt and he accepted it.
> No P60s, previous employment details asked
> No previous immigration approval letters asked
> No business bank statements asked
I could see the home office staff were all happy as its xmas tomorrow and I thought I couldn't have booked a better day for my ILR appointment
Will be happy to answer any questions.
Good Luck!!
Merry christmas