I would like to share my experience of Inperson application at Birmingham Home Office on 8th December.
Scheduling Appointement : All the centers of Home office are very busy and its very difficult to get the bookings over the phone and on the internet.I was keep trying via phone and internet and in the 1st week of October luckily I got an appointment date at Birmingham Home office.
Documents Preparation: Its is the most important part of the application. My application was although was simple and staright forward but I made every thing ready before 1 week of my appointment. I advice you not to leave the things for last moment and make them ready before deadline.
Documents ::
(1). Covering Letter
(2). 12 payslips
(3). 12 Bank Statments including 800 pounds for maintanance funds.
(4). 2 recent passport size photographs with my full name printed behind them
(5). Initial HSMP Approval Letter
(6). Origional MSc Degree from UK University
(7). NARIC Letter
Accomodation & Parking:
There are plenty of parking spaces near Home office. Like JOHN LEWIS and MAKRS & SPENCER. Charges are nominal. As I was travelling from London so I stayed at my friends place As Home OFFice is very near to town center so there are many hotels for staying.
Interview 8th December :
I reached Home office by 8.15 AM. Pass through security checks and enter in the building by 9.05 AM. The home office is very small as compared to the Lunar House one in London.
9.30 Am : Ticket Issued
10.15 AM: I was called to go to counter xxx.
Case Worker : Hello Sir Good Morning. Please have a seat.
Me. Good Morning Thank You.
Case Worker : Can I have your application form Please?
Me: Gave my application form (I have given complete 74 page document form to him not excluding any paper. The papers which are not relevent to my application I leave them blank.)
Case Worker : Can I have your bank Statments and salary slips or other proof of incomes Please?
Me: I have given him 12 payslips and 12 bank statments. (I have not highlighted any of my bank statment).
Case Worker : Any Other supporting dcouments please?
Me: I have given him Covering letter, Degree certificate , NARIC letter and inital Approval letter of HSMP.
Case Worker : Any thing else Sir?
Me: No Thanks
Case Worker : He was keep checking the documents and entering the information in to the system. Then he calculates the total earnings I claimed and then comparing with the bank staments. Then he checks the maintance funds for the last 3 months. This whole process took around 20-25 minutes.
He told me every thing seems to be fine but he have to do some extra checks. Please pay your fee at fee counter and wait for at least 2 hours for all the process.
I assume those checks are might be from INLAND REVENEW, CRIMINAL RECORDS from Police or from my employer. I was very possitive as all of things were genuine.
I went outside the home office and roaming around in Town Center. I went back to Home office by 2.00 Pm and after about Half an hour they call me to collect my passport. I went to counter the lady told me to check the documents and your visa. I have a look in detail on my VISA stamped (Specially The DATES) it was extended for next 3 years. Checked my documents Say thanks to lady and went back to my way home.
I am very thankfull to this FORUM and the people here who helped me in making application successfull.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you required any help. Always happy to help. Thank you
Regards
Syed Waqas Shah