Afternoon ILR appointment at Solihull PEO - same day answer?

Hi folks!
After trying several days in a row, I finally got a PEO appointment for my ILR application in December. I couldn't get one at Croydon so I got it at Solihull (Birmingham).

Anyways, the only appointment I could get was at 1:30pm. My concern is that my paperwork won't be ready that same day (the office closes at 4pm). Can anybody share experiences of afternoon PEO appointments? My only concern is that if I have to pick up my documents the next day, I'll have to take another 2 hours train from London.

Thanks!

It says on the UKBA website that they continue to process applications until the last person has been seen. So while they will close the doors at 4 pm, they will continue to process the applications until they are done for the day.

I believe that if they need to keep your documents for longer (i.e. due to technical problems on the day), they will mail them back to you when they mail your passport and BRP. However, in general, if it looks like they will not be able to make a same-day decision on your application (i.e. you have a non-straightforward application that requires extra processing which will take longer than a day), they will send you away and tell you to apply by post instead.

From the UKBA website:

What Will Happen On the Day?

Considering your case - 20 to 90 minutes

At the counter, an officer will examine your papers and make a number of checks on our immigration databases. You will be asked questions about your application, and your case will be considered according to the current Immigration Rules and regulations.

When the officer has confirmed that your application can be processed, you will be asked to wait (and you might be able to leave the building) while your passport and documents are taken to another area.

We will then notify you of our decision on your application. If we refuse your application, we will tell you whether you have any right to appeal.

We continue to process applications until we have seen the last customer, but we lock the doors at closing time for security reasons. You will still be able to leave the building after this time, but you will not be able to return.

my entire process was so fast there last month.........they are organized........i do commend them...........i had a morning appt but i cant see them handling afternoon ones any differently.........i arrived and checked in......given my special lil number.........called us to the back.......he looked over some of my papers......only kept very few of them along with hubs passport.......then said i was approved and instructed where to go pay......next did biometrics then off to lunch for almost hour and half.......came back and all was waiting for me.........quick and they were so nice there

my entire process was so fast there last month.........they are organized........i do commend them...........i had a morning appt but i cant see them handling afternoon ones any differently.........i arrived and checked in......given my special lil number.........called us to the back.......he looked over some of my papers......only kept very few of them along with hubs passport.......then said i was approved and instructed where to go pay......next did biometrics then off to lunch for almost hour and half.......came back and all was waiting for me.........quick and they were so nice there

Are you saying they approved your application before even taking your money from you?  I thought the process was you pay, then get your BRP done, then your caseworker takes your papers and then you get a decision.  The decision is the last part in the process.  At least this is how it is in Croydon PEO unless its been changed in the last 2 years.

yep i am telling you that.............i thought we had to pay first.......as everyone else i know does...........but he looked over my paperwork and asked us a couple of questions.......he walked away for about 2 minutes and came back .......said we are going to approve your application ...... you can proceed to window 6 to pay.......you will then take a seat in the chairs again and they will call you for biometrics................weird cuz i asked my hubby whats happens if youre not approved........then you get to walk to window six anyway and pay......that would be depressing

Thanks everyone for the replies. Made me feel a lot better.

Cheers!

I believe the process may differ between PEOs.

At Croydon, you definitely pay before biometrics and submitting your application.

Steffunny, quick question. I saw you recently got your ILR at Solihull. When you returned after your application was approved, did you get your Passport back? Also, did you get any letters regarding your ILR (i.e. BRP letter and IRL letter)?

I assume you got your BRP via post later, correct?

Thanks!

Steffunny, quick question. I saw you recently got your ILR at Solihull. When you returned after your application was approved, did you get your Passport back? Also, did you get any letters regarding your ILR (i.e. BRP letter and IRL letter)?

I assume you got your BRP via post later, correct?

Both the passport and your BRP will be mailed back to you later. I believe they will arrive separately, about a week or so after the appointment.

Steffunny, quick question. I saw you recently got your ILR at Solihull. When you returned after your application was approved, did you get your Passport back? Also, did you get any letters regarding your ILR (i.e. BRP letter and IRL letter)?

I assume you got your BRP via post later, correct?

My experience was at Croydon, so bear that in mind...

I got my passport and all supporting documents back the same day.  I did get a letter that my application had been successful along with a leaflet about permanent residency (though it was noted the BRP is the proof of your visa, not the letters).  My BRP arrived a few business days later (appointment on a Friday, BRP arrived next Tuesday).

yep this is just for reference as we have already spoken...........they never kept my passport......it was handed back to me when they said i was approved along with most of my papers............they kept 5 papers and hubs passport........returned those that afternoon along with an offical approval letter

Thanks for the link, ksand!    It's good to hear other people's stories and be able to read what the UKBA says will happen.    Seems like they don't always line up.    Nice to be prepared for anything. 

Had my appointment this past Monday. Just wanted to confirm that (at least at Solihull), I got my passport back the same day. I ended up booking an 11:30am appointment, so the same-day answer question no longer applied to me.

Thanks everyone for your help!