What services are available?

This page explains the types of applications you can normally make in person at our public enquiry offices. You should check the details of individual offices for any exceptions to the service they offer, since not all offices can handle all types of applications.

Our public enquiry offices are committed to offering a high standard of customer service. We also have a duty of care towards our staff and members of the public visiting the offices, so please read the rules in place at public enquiry offices.

Applications

Public enquiry offices accept applications for an extension of stay (limited leave to remain) or permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain) in the United Kingdom in the categories below. You can find details of who is able to apply in these categories, and how to apply, in the relevant sections of this website.

Citizens of the European Economic Area who wish to apply for registration certificates can do so at the Croydon public enquiry office. Only limited numbers of appointments are available for this, but you will not have to pay a fee.

There is a bulk service for specific representative bodies such as student bodies, civilian components, embassies and companies. For more information about this, please call the immigration enquiry bureau.

General

• husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner - forms FLR(M), SET(M), FLR(O), SET(O);
• children - form FLR(O), SET(O), SET(F), (only if the child entered with correct entry clearance);
• student - form FLR(S) (please ensure you leave plenty of time to make your application, as appointments will be subject to heavy demand during September and October);
• UK ancestry - form FLR(O), SET(O);
• visitor - form FLR(O) (this includes medical visitors, academic visitors and parents accompanying children under 12 years of age who are receiving private education in the United Kingdom); and
• 10-year residence - form SET(O) (see completing application form SET (O) for details of who can apply in this category).

Specific jobs

• au pair - form FLR(O);
• seasonal worker at agricultural camp - form FLR(IED);
• representative of newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation - form FLR(O), SET(O);
• private servant in diplomatic household - form FLR(O);
• domestic worker in private household - form FLR(O), SET(O);
• minister of religion, missionary or member of religious order - form FLR(O) (if the applicant has previously been granted entry clearance or leave to remain in this category), SET(O);
• airline employee (must report to Terminal 3 Heathrow first) - form FLR(O);
• writer, composer or artist - form FLR(O), SET(O);
• off-shore worker - form FLR(O);
• Rudolf Steiner establishment - form FLR(O);
• sports person - form FLR(O); and
• voluntary workers - form FLR(O).
  

Medical studies

• postgraduate doctor or dentist - form FLR(O);
• Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test - form FLR(O); and
• clinical attachment - form FLR(O).

Specific schemes

• (Croydon only) work permit (after it has been agreed by the work permits team) - form FLR(IED);
• (Croydon only) training and work experience scheme (after it has been agreed by the work permits team) - form FLR(IED);
• work permit indefinite leave to remain - form SET(O);
• (Croydon only) science and engineering graduate scheme - form SEGS;
• fresh talent: working in Scotland scheme - form FT:WISS;
• international graduate scheme - form IGS.;
• highly skilled migrant programme - for SET(O).

Government and military

• (Croydon only) armed forces (no form needed);
• armed forces indefinite leave to remain following discharge - form SET(O);
• armed forces dependants - form FLR(O);
• civilian emloyee of armed forces (civilian component) - form FLR(O);
• forces recruitment - form FLR(O);
• overseas government employee - form FLR(O), SET(O).

Return of documents (Croydon only)

Croydon public enquiry office offers a service to return documents to people whose documents are currently with the UK Border Agency but urgently require them to travel.

We can only offer this service if you contact us in advance because we need to locate and retrieve the documents for your collection. Please do not arrive at the public enquiry office without first phoning the immigration enquiry bureau to ask for advice. Where possible, please arrive before 1100 on the day, as this will increase the chances of us locating and returning your documents on the same day.

If your documents have been sent to us with an application for British citizenship, you should contact the nationality office in Liverpool.

We will try to retrieve and return your documents on the same day wherever possible but we cannot guarantee that your application will have been completed so please only ask us to return your documents if you need them urgently.

You may be asked for evidence of your urgent need to travel when you apply for this service.

Indefinite leave to remain (often known as ILR) is permission to stay permanently (settle) in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.Permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily, for the length of time stated on your visa.Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.