ilrdep, evershineforu & shendean - You guys are my heroes
My wife successfully got her ILR today in Solihull
Special thanks to these guys and thanks to everyone in this forum. Here is our story:
Feb 5 - By luck, got an appointment at Solihull for Feb 7 12:00.
Feb 6 - Preparing all documents especially cohabitation and sponsor(me) docs.
Feb 7 - Drove to Solihull. Reached there by 11:10. Parked in John Lewis. A very short walk to the destination (had to ask couple of people around though).
Went in at 11:30. Security checks and was asked to sit down. At 12:03, we were given a token. Just that the process was really slow. So we got called at 1:15 pm. Went to a lady case worker for the interview who was very friendly and this is what happened there:
CW: Who is the main applicant?
Me: My wife is the main applicant.
CW: So are you the dependent in this application?
Me: Nope. She is the only applicant. I have just accompanied her. I already got ILR few days back.
CW: You could have applied together. You could have saved some money
Me: True. We initially thought we will go for the postal application for her.
CW: Oh yes. Is it because of the 2 year issue? Dont worry. It's fine for your case.
CW: Can I see the application form, photos and passports plz?
We: Gave the form with the photos in envelope. Gave her passport, mine and my BRP card with all photocopies.
CW: You can have the payment page. I shall come back to that later. Can I have your marriage certificate plz?
We: Gave it along with copies. Then gave wife's LITUK pass letter with copy too.
Me: May I know how much she scored?
CW: (Laughed). Do you know how much you scored while you applied for your ILR?
Me: Yes.
CW: (Laughed again). So you want to know if she scored more than you
CW: How much was ur score?
Me: I scored 23.
CW: And she has 23 as well
Had a good laugh here talking something related to this.
Me: Here are my earning proof letters (Letter from accountant, payslips, bank statements).
CW: Had a quick look. Thats ok. You already have your ILR. So need not be so detailed like this.
CW: Do you have documents to prove that you both are living together for the past 2 years?
We: Gave around 80-90 letters. We had it separated into 4 quarters, each labeled for 6 months. She smiled, took 6 out of the whole bunch. And said we had a lot. And that's enough for her.
CW: Good, That's done. You can take the payment page to Counter 6 for payment. And after 20 mins to Biometrics. Have a good day.
(And few laughs about some comments, etc.)
Went to the counter. We had a Santander card for payment. We asked the bank the previous day. They said they cannot guarantee the payment but mostly should be fine. They just randomly reject but we can call the bank to authorize if something like that happens. So we were a bit tensed about that. Once payment paper was given, we were asked to sit down again.
Sat for another 10 mins, called for biometrics. Did biometrics. Then was asked to take a break for an hour and come back. Came back after 45 mins. Waited there for another half an hour and by 4:30, we were called. And they said to my wife that she got her ILR. Hurrayyy
I did my ILR at Liverpool and my wife's at Solihull. Both centres were very different.
1. Payment taken before application review in Liverpool.
Payment taken later once application is ok to proceed in Sol.
2. Staff very friendly in Sol. Highly recommended for PEO.
Liverpool staff - Lady who reviewed my case was quite rude. Not that friendly there.
3. Liverpool PEO is very quick. My case was quite complicated but still whole process completed within 1:45 hours.
Sol PEO - Very slow. Took 4:30 hours in total for a not-so-complicated case. So be prepared with snacks/water/etc.
4. Liverpool PEO environment was quite nice. Big office.
Sol PEO - Small office. Crowded.
Thanks to everyone. And good luck to all.
Regards
Abdul