My ILR was granted today @ Croydon PEO. I'm posting my experience in case it helps anyone else applying in the future...
I registered with this site, in April at the time of my second T1G extension application last year and have since then gained a lot of useful information by reading the numerous experiences posted by other forum members and also the sticky threads created by the moderators of this site. Thank you to all of you who have contributed by sharing what you know and your opinions.
I chose this PEO for my appointment, due to it's proximity to where I work and no other reason. I had minimal disruption to my daily routine as I managed to get my ILR done in the morning and get into work for the afternoon.
Appointment Time: 9.50am
9.20am - Arrived @ PEO Entrance. The security check was completed within a few minutes and then queued to get the initial document check and token number.
9.50am - Queued to make payment. - First floor
10.15am - Token called and details entered into system.
10.35am - Biometrics enrolled.
11.50am - Case worker assigned. - Second floor. I handed over the documents below, as the case worker did not ask for specific documents.
1.00pm - Application Approved.
The only two questions the case worker asked me were:
1) What category I was applying under - Tier 1 General.
2) Whether I had copies of all the supporting documents - Yes.
The documents I supplied:
SET(O) Form
2 Photos
Current and Previous Passport
BRP
LITUK Test Pass Notification Letter
Absences Sheet with columns for: which passport (previous or current), destination country, passport page numbers for the UK arrival stamp, destination disembarkation stamp, date I left the UK, date I returned to the UK. - Total of 104.
11 payslips
11 bank statements - with corresponding salary credit entries highlighted.
Employer letter - I was with the same employer throughout the 5 years, but initially as a WP Holder and then a T1G Migrant. The letter was to confirm this along with dates and also:
- a) That my company was rebranded twice during the 5 years. So therefore the employer names appearing on certain pieces of evidence may vary depending on when they were issued.
b) That Payslips were initially distributed as hard copies and now as electronic copies. Confirmation that those that were printouts had been signed and stamped by the payroll department.
5 P60's
Work Permit - Original and one issued after technical change due to company name change.
I had 3 files with me (Each file contained 10 clear display sleeves - with an Index on the first page, so it was easy for the reader to find the required documents without much fiddling).
1) Original Supporting documents
2) Copies of all Supporting documents
3) This contained those documents I thought I may require, though weren't in the end.
- a. T1G Approval Letters,
b. Degree Certificate,
c. Letter confirming absences,
d. CW Guidance highlighting late entry concession,
e. Email response from settlement ops team confirming that time between EC & date of entry would be counted even when 5 year residence was made up of LTR as WP + T1G.
f. Two spare payment details pages in case the first cc payment failed for any reason.
g. Old previous passport.
After the case worker was assigned, the CW told me he'd call me in 1/2 hour. But as expected that didn't happen, so I walked down to see which counter he was at. He wasn't to be seen at any. But I did spot my supporting document folders (advantage of having distinctly coloured folders - Purple & Red) on one of the desks so I sat near that counter. Within 5 minutes the case worker arrived and started going through the documents (I'm guessing he went for lunch or a break after taking my documents). I got to see him scanning through my application form, passport and supporting documents along with photocopies. He was efficient. A few points I noticed:
a) This case worker didn't appear to verify my earnings by looking at the two sources of evidence - I.e. he hadn't even unsealed the envelope that contained my original bank statements. He did turn the folder sleeves over several times and read what I had written against each. E.g. my bank statements were in a sealed envelope. I wrote that it contained 11 statements with the months it covered and what the statements were for - i.e. previous earnings and UK experience points. Likewise each sleeve had a short description which he appeared to read.
b) He verified that every original document category I mentioned had a corresponding copy & took all the photocopies.
c) He did verify details in my SET(O) form against those in my passport & BRP & his computer.
d) Within 15 minutes of document verification and checking details on his computer, he printed out a letter (which I now know was my approval letter). He then walked off with this and my passport, & came back in 5-10 minutes. Then did some final checks on his computer and started pulling out all the copies of my supporting documents - from the sleeves in my folder. Then bundled those with my application form and kept them aside. Next he bundled my original document folder & now spare folder with approval letter and came towards the counter.
e) He called my number and told me that my ILR had been granted and that I would receive my BRP in 7-10 working days. I then asked whether it would be possible to have it sent to my work address, to which he said that wouldn't be possible but I could re-arrange that after the courier attempted first delivery. He returned all original documents I provided along with the folders. He kept all photocopies.
Notes:
1) I took advantage of the 3 month late entry concession - even though I didn't apply exactly 28 days before EC.
2) I had no convictions.
3) While I was waiting to pay, I noticed the applicant before me saying she needed to use two cards for payment and that wasn’t a problem. So it looks like you can use multiple cards if you need to.
4) This was my first in-person PEO application. I can’t complain about the experience as I got what I needed done and managed to get into work for the afternoon. The case worker who was assigned to me was professional, kept conversation to the minimim but was open to questions. Overall I’d say it was a good experience. It would have been better if I could have spent less time waiting & queuing, but with the volume of applicants there today & limited resources I could understand the reason for it.
Good luck to everyone else applying in the future and hope this information has helped.
