I've lurked around these forums for a month or so but this is my first post. I have got an ILR at the Solihull PEO today and would like to share the experience.
First of all thanks to all the forum members for insight - it has been a useful source of information in the run up to applying.
My case was as follows: WP granted early September 2006, same employer for 5 years, so fairly simple. I did not apply as soon as 28 days to 5 years were up, left it quite late in fact. Got my life in the UK test pass on the 6th of August. And booked an appointment last week (I was undecided whether to do the postal route or PEO).
The application process itself is very simple and was made as pleasant as possible by the great staff at Solihull. I was asked for the following evidence:
- Letter from the employer. My letter stated the date of the original contract on which the WP was based, UKBA code for my role and the fact that I am paid above the required rate, list of absences and a confirmation that they were during paid holiday, confirmation that the company still requires me to work for them.
- 3 payslips
- Life in the UK pass certificate
- Passports
- Police registration
- I have given the case officer the list of my absences with references to pages in the passport printed from excel (an easy way of doing this is just to turn the pages of the passport and note down all stamps, then sort by date and the whole thing should fall in order). In my case absences were not an issue as I only had around 120 days in 5 years.
Nothing else was needed. I had bank statements and a P60 form for the last year - they were not asked for, neither were proof of my professional qualification needed for my job or proof of address. I also wasn't asked to show them the original work permit.
Interesting points to note which were discussed elsewhere but I did not see a definitive answer: My current work title is different to the original WP and my earnings are different (about 2x higher) as well. My employer has also changed the head office address - so it did not match the original WP.
The interview started before the booked appointment time as I was there early and lasted about 5-7 minutes. The ILR was then stamped in 2 hours. Solihull PEO have a poster on their wall promising to deal with a case start to finish in 2:20, and they stuck to their promise in my case.
I will be happy to answer any questions - appreciate my case isn't that tricky but hope it gives confidence to others applying through the WP route.
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