ILR Success - Croydon PEO 11 June 2012

[Jander]

Just thought I would add a quick summary of my experience at Croydon.

Overview and timings:

Arrived at 10:55 for a 11:40 appointment and was told to come back in 15 minutes. At 11:10 I came back (and was now at the back of queue!). Passed through security, initial checks and then payment all within about 20 minutes. Waited about 10 minutes and was then called up and entered into the system to queue for biometrics. The wait was about 40 minutes for biometrics.

This was where things ground to a halt. I waited about an hour and 50 minutes and then was called up to the customer service desk with a number of other tickets. I was then told to go up to the 2nd floor (I was initially on the 1st floor) as I would be seen quicker there. About 20 minutes later I got called up to a desk to check what sort of application mine was. About 10 minutes later I got called up and all my evidence was taken.

About 50 minutes later I was given my approval.

Arrived: 11:10
Biometrics done: 12:20
Evidence taken: 14:40
Decision: 15:30

Application:
History: 2 years HSMP (not JR) + 3 years Tier 1

Documents supplied:
Note: I was given no guidance on what the case worker wanted to see. I was asked for my passport and application and when I went to take them out of my folder was asked if that was my supporting evidence. I said yes and they asked me hand it over and said for me to take a seat and wait to be called. It didn't seem like they checked had what they wanted before asking me to take a seat.

Form SET(O)
Passport + previous passport
Life in the UK certificates
12 months payslips
12 months bank statements
Additional bank statements for proof of finances
Birth certificate
Previous approval letters
(Degree had previously been supplied)

Details:
I had lots of additional evidences available (payslips, bank statements from the previous 4 years, letters from my employer, P60s) but none was asked for.

All my online payslips were signed and stamped and I had a letter from work saying they were true and accurate. My bank account balance bounced all over the place (as low as £300 at one point in the 3 months) but I don't think they used the additional bank statements as the photocopies were not taken (though I was scoring max points from income so that may have been why).

I used cut post-it notes to highlight all the key amounts from payslips and bank statements and had a summary of income at the front of these, as well as a summary of evidence at the start of my evidence.

My number of days outside the UK was low enough to not be an issue.

Hope that all helps! This place was really useful for shoring up my evidence requirements.

Thanks,
Jason.

[Smam]

Hi Jason,

Lots and lots of heartiest congratulations on getting your ILR and thanks a lot for sharing your PEO experience on the forum.

Note: I was given no guidance on what the case worker wanted to see. I was asked for my passport and application and when I went to take them out of my folder was asked if that was my supporting evidence. I said yes and they asked me hand it over and said for me to take a seat and wait to be called. It didn't seem like they checked had what they wanted before asking me to take a seat.

I think you did an intelligent thing by handing over the mandatory documents required for your application and I think that's the best way to deal with it. To the best of my understanding the CW was satisfied from your documents and that's why didn't asked any thing more from you which is again a good thing in my eyes.

I used cut post-it notes to highlight all the key amounts from payslips and bank statements and had a summary of income at the front of these, as well as a summary of evidence at the start of my evidence.

My question is that what are cut post-it notes dont you think that the use of an highlighter pen will do the same job I am just asking for my self so that I can take advantage of your technique if its any better than my thoughts.

Good luck for the future.

[ramay]

hi Jander! Did they ask about >90 days absence at reception?

[Jander]

Sorry for the slow reply.

I used cut up post-it notes because I didn't want to mark official documents. While I wouldn't have minded doing this on the photocopies, I assumed they would use the official copies for evaluation and just store the photocopies and hence wanted to make this as easy as possible.

I honestly can't say whether it's better than just using a highlighter but just preferred to avoid any permanent marks.

No I don't recall being asked about the number of days at all. I think I had 114 days out of the UK (all paid leave) and that wasn't raised.

Thanks,
Jason.