First of all a BIG THANK YOU to all of you on this forum. It's been a great journey for past 5+ years and thanks to this forum for providing me a life in Britain
Of course It wasn't easy as I thought with loads of changes in immigration rules in last few years. Not to mention the fee increase (300% ?)..Criminality threshold (which forced me to stop driving out of fear of losing ILR and eventually sell my car)..Also uncertainty of getting ILR because of these changes forced me to abandon my plans of buying property in this country- making me spend loads of money as rent (Yeah I know some politicians want to cut immigration from 100s of thousands to 10s of thousands- but I reckon.. in a way they are destroying the economy.. No offense to Torrie supporters).. Anyways after all that frustration, at least I've something to cheer..a sense of achievement..Finally I got my ILR
My appointment was at Cardiff PEO on 7-Mar-2014 10.30 am. reached there by cab at 9.30 am (train in which I was traveling stopped mid way and all trains were cancelled. So I had to take a cab to reach there).
Thought of trying my luck by asking security guard there if its ok to sit inside and wait as my appointment was still 1 hour later. Luckily there were not many applicants at that time and the security person let me in at 9.30 am. I was asked to go straight to a window where they collect all documents. Submitted my documents and was called for biometric at 9.40 am. Later I was told to go out of the building and wait for their call.
I received a call at 10.45 am and was asked to return to the office. I thought they wanted more documents. However to my surprise I was given the approval letter
God bless UKBA staff at the Cardiff PEO. They are very polite and efficient. Date of first approval (Tier -1 general)- 15-Mar-2009
Date first arrived in the UK- 29-Mar-2009
ILR granted on 7-Mar-2014
Biometric received on 12-Mar-2014
Total absences- 257 ( total 11 trips abroad, No >180 days trips in last 5 years)
Max days outside UK in one trip - 165 (in the first year)
Documents
Main covering letter
Points calculator pdf printout
12 payslips
Bank Statements
LIUK test pass result
Tax paper for past 5 years (P60s, P45s, Employment history letter from hmrc , Corporation tax payment proof etc)
Although I was carrying 'Absence Letters' from my current employer and self declaration letters (for the period I was contracting though my own limited company during 1st & 2nd year of my arrival) - the case worker did NOT ask me to submit any of those letters.
Happy days
Thanks again !Regards,
Gem
