Hi there,
I was granted my ILR today after 5 years in the UK. I would like to thank the list for the invaluable knowledge available in the list I relied upon for my application.
Here is my case:
- Came to the UK in 05/August/2006, WP
- Changed employment twice under the same WP; always had a letter of authorization from HO prior to start working on my jobs;
- Changed employment a third time (current job), now using Tier 2
- All leave to remain granted over the period never expired;
- It took the HO 25d to issue the letter for the first employment change and 27d for the second, but they were issued through my WP, period which I was technically unemployed;
- For the WP to Tier 2 change, no gaps
- 225 days out of the UK in 5 years, 100 days split over several business trips.
Documentation I brought with me
- 1 year bank statements
- 1 year paylislips
- 5 P60s 2006-2011
- Statements of Earnings from HMRC confirming I have paid taxes from 2007-2011 and 2006
- Letter from current employer
- Life in the UK certificate
- Work permits letters from H.O for all the the job changes
- No letter from employers explaining my absenses with business trips
The application:
It started at 10:00, completed at 11:00 with me coming back at 1:00 pm to collect my passport with the stamp.
First pre-screening was completed successful without any problems / questions. Then proceeded to pay and finally gave my paperwork to the caseworker.
The case worker went through ALL my documentation and for my surprise he even bothered to check my P60s / statement of earnings from HMRC.
He took copy of P60s, the statement of earnings, bank statements and payslips, letters of employment.
I was a little nervous when he started typing the dates I was off the UK because I have 225 days off / 55 days on one single trip but my nervousness was groundless as there was no problem at all with it
The only question asked was about the letter from my current employer: because my role on the letter is different from the one of my Tier 2 application, he said he could not assess my current earnings (Tier 2 requirement). Having told him to look at the tier 2 application and my employment contract to check the correct job role, he was happy to proceed with the application.
Finally after an hour, he told my application had been approved.
Final advice if you have changed jobs multiple times and plan to apply for ILR: call HMRC and get the statement of earnings - I am almost certain that I would be asked more about my previous jobs if I hadn't submitted it along with application.
Now is party time - giggity giggity go ;)
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