Yes, we finally got it!!! It was just a huge sign of relief after we got our British Permanent Residency. It wasn’t an easy journey for the both of us. It begins with…
Our current visas expires on June 29th, 2012. You have 2 ways to apply- One is by post ( which will take up to 3-6 months), and two by appointment, which they will let you know on that day itself. We didn’t want to wait so long because that will means we won’t be able to fly out if we apply by post. So we decided to apply by appointment.
First step was to sit for an exam, called ‘Life in the UK test’. This is to ensure that you have knowledge of english and also life in UK, and you have to pass it ( of course!). Out of 24 questions, you have to get minimum 18 questions correct. Both of us studied like mad, doing questions online, and hoping that we won’t fail! Exam day came, we went there early, finished the test in 15 mins, and we got our results in 10 mins- we passed! Right, first hurdle- done!
Second step – book an appointment. Early June, the night before we were to book the appointment online, we read on the newspaper reporting that the computer system in Croydon, London (where they process all visas applications) are down. It has no appointments for at least 2-3 months. We were saying to ourselves, this is not good. If we were to apply by post, we would only get it earliest within 6 months. I was thinking to myself, this is not going well! That night, I just said a simple prayer and asked Shern: ‘do you believe in miracle?’ I smiled and went to sleep. The next day, Shern called me from his work, and told me that he got to book an appointment online in Glasgow. Plus he was due to travel to Glasgow to work too, timing was perfect! God does answer prayers 🙂
Third step- Documents and forms. There were tons of documents and forms to fill up. One of the concern we had was, we had to show proof that we lived together for at least 2 years. I came to London in June 2010, and up to June 2012, it was just 2 years! The only document I had was the bank statement, with our address on the statement. The problem was, it starts August 2010, that’s not gonna make it 2 years! I don’t have any other documents to show both our names and address together. We were worried that it was not enough. But that’s nothing much we could do. We gathered all necessary documents, photos, and forms, and ready to go to Glasgow.
Step 4- Interview. We arrived in Glasgow on Sunday, and our appointment was on Monday. Checked into the hotel, and checked through the forms and documents. We prayed that everything will go on smoothly. Slept early that night. Next morning, we went for early breakfast, and off we went to the visa centre. Our appointment was at 10am, so we waited for them to call our number. 10 mins after 10am, they called our number, we went to a counter, submitted all the forms and documents, the officer asked us to wait while he checks the documents. 15 mins later, called us, and he said he was very happy with the forms and documents! Nice! Half way there, after that we went to a room for our biometric finger prints and photograph taking. Everything was alright, and the officer told us the only thing to do now is to wait for at least 45 mins for them to process through all the background checks. We waited patiently, and 40 mins later-decision time! This time it was a lady officer, and she said our application was APPROVED!!!! We were so happy to hear that. She gave us back our documents and passports, and told us that the PR card will be sent to our house. It has taken so little time, exactly 1 hour 45 mins after we submitted our documents to get it approved. Overall we were very happy with their service, they were very friendly and fast too, well there weren’t many people anyway 🙂
From the start to the end, I have never doubted that God will helped us through. When circumstances seems impossible, just take a moment, pray and have faith 🙂
Note: I’m still a Malaysian, being a PR doesn’t mean I need to give up my Malaysian nationality =) No matter what, I’m still a Malaysian through and through.
Shern & Rachel Foo 