Post
by Tamzin27 » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:27 pm
Dear All,
Thanks for yor Good Luck messages. I succeeded, Hooray! I know lots of you want to know how it went. I will try be very specific but if I've missed something, please ask me.
My appointment was 1230hrs, but I was asked to get there for 1200hrs. We got there half an hour early, but were asked, by a very arrogant security guard, to queue up outside. Not many people were outside. Very different experience to when I went there 5 years ago. At 1200hrs, we were allowed to go through security (like at the airport). we had to remove our belts, phones, glasses etc. Just like at the airport. Then we had to queue up again on the ground floor. There, they checked if my application form was valid and if I had all the documents needed. I can tell you that the guy who checked my documents on the gorund floor was very arrogant and a foreigner himself. My husband who is British, was appalled by the attitude of this man. Wonder if they have any personal skills at all. Anyway, all my documents were relevant and we were told to go on 1st Floor to pay. He also gave us two more papers that he had done himself (like a summary of my case).
We queued up again on 1st Floor, where we had to pay £950. This was quite quick and the cashier kept the first 3 pages of my application form.
Then we were sent to the 2nd Floor where we sat and waited for our number to be called. We gathered that the numbers were called according to who paid first on the 1st Floor.
My number was called after about 45 minutes. We saw a case worker who was behind a glass window. He immediately assumed I was applying for ILR based on spouse visa, when he saw my husband. But when he saw my application form, he said "oh, based on Work Permit". Anyway, the case worker was very polite, took his time and very reassuring. He said it was very straight forward.
But when he looked at the stamp in my passport, he frowned. He said the date was not what he wanted to see. For those of you who know about my case, you'll understand. He said they count the 5 years based on the date that the visa was granted, which meant I was too early. I explained that the Work Permit department have told me that there was a delay in when my passport was stamped. Even though he checked on his computer system, he asked me if I had my visa stamped somewhere else. Fortunately, I had the letter that comes with your Work Permit. He said that's what he was looking for. We were so relieved.
He went and did some photocopies. Came back, typed some stuff on his computer and then told me that I was successful. He was very formal when he read the conditions. He said we'll get my passport back within an hour to an hour and a half. We decided not to go out and sat in front of the Desk where my passport was being dealt with. My passport was ready within 30 minutes.
I'm so chuffed. I have been so patient for the past 8 years. Can't believe it. I now have the freedom to change jobs and have the peace of mind that I can be with my son and husband, without any visa hassle. I had the choice to go for spouse visa, if I wasn't successful. But no need for that now.
Thanks a lot for all your advices and good luck messages. If you have any questions, post a message. I'll check my thread everyday for the next few weeks.
Good luck
Jaz
