Finally after two months preparation and 50 days waiting for my appointment, our (me and my wife's) application at Croydon PEO was approved today; thank God. I would like also to thank members of this forum for sharing their views and experiences, especially senior members and moderators for giving vaulable advice.
I have explained my situation in these posts:
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... ght=mazmaz
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... light=smam
To summarise, in 2011 my bank declined my payment to the UKBA and my postal application for Tier 1 was returned as invalid. My visa expiry was 17-Jan-2011 and I received the invalid application on 4-Feb-2011. I resubmitted my application on 5-Feb-2011, which was approved on 23-March-2011. I had 123 paid annual leaves spent outside the UK and 160 days absences, including 84 days in one stretch. I also had a £230 CCJ in 2009; I did not pick up my mails from an old address.
A summary of my experience:
1. Appointment at 11:40.
2. We were allowed to enter the building at 11:10 (not earlier).
3. 5 minutes queue for initial document checking. During this checking, I was asked about the longest absence from the UK, which was 84 days for business.
4. 5 minutes queued in the first floor to make the payment. I called my bank in the morning to make sure they won't decline the payment, as they did with a previous postal application.
5. Immediately called to go to a counter. The gentleman asked for the application form, photos, passports and BRPs and entered some details into his computer.
6. 13:15 were called to the biometric counter.
7. 15:30 were called to a counter to see a CW. I was very worried about my 13 days gap. Th CW asked for a) application form, b) passports and BRPs, c) 12 months payslips and bank statments, d) life in the UK test cert., e) cohabitation documents, f) police registration forms and g) employer's letter. He asked me if I have had any single abcense over 90 days. He asked us to wait 40 minutes while he processes our application. I was surprised since I was expecting him to tell me about the gap. To make sure that there is no problem, I told him that I have some back up documents in case there is any issues with my immigration histor. However, he replied "your immigration history is clear!!!!". He said if you do not have any criminal convitions (which I think it does not include CCJs), your case should be fine.
8 . 16:30 the CW called us and gave us the approval letter.
9. We left the Lunar House happily
My advice to those applicants who are worried about their immigration history, like me, is to apply for their SAR. It may come back with no issues, like mine! I wish I had done this because it would have at leat saved me the time that I spent to prepare a cover letter to explain my situation.
To be honest, I was wondering whether I should post my application or apply in person. An immigration adviser wrote to me "you must post your application because of your immigration history". Another advisor wrote to me "you may not be able to use the fast track service". I am happy that I took the advice of one of the senior members of this forum (unfortunately I do not remember his/her name) to apply in person.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer.