Ever tried to make an online booking for a PEO same day application?
Then you'll know just what a palarva that can be and it seems to be getting worse. Especially now that for FLR's & ILR's a postal application can take 6 months.

Whether this situation will improve or not I don't know. But it's fairly common knowledge that the IT systems are not easy or cheap to update.

With that in mind you may be interested to read the methodology you'll need to follow if you want to increase you chances of success.

The UKBA online appointment booking system is automatic and pre-released.
The system restricts applicants to 6 weeks at a time when they search for appointments.
All new availability dates only happen at midnight (or in UKBA speak 'when the clocks move into a new day'). Effectively limiting appointments 6 weeks in advance.
However, any cancelled bookings can appear on the system at any time. (not just at midnight)

To really understand the nitty gritty around personal appearance application please review the UKBA webpage Premium service for applications in the UK
and be sure to review all the links especially Booking an appointment for our premium service
Please take the time to understand this page as you will need to create an account in order to proceed with your online booking.

Take particular notice of payment requirements.

Now here comes the 'secret' based on what UKBA tells us:-

Create your account.
Log-in to your account a few minutes before midnight.(just how many minutes depends on how long it takes to enter your own key data - sorry can't be more precise than that)
Stay logged-in
Now navigate to your own specific Visa Category
Then navigate to the page where you need to input dates and the preferred centre.
Don't select any date, only select those centres you want to consider as convenient.
OK now just wait, and wait patiently until it's 15-20 seconds after midnight and then click on next.
Now you should see the new apponitment available.
You'll need to act quickly and enter the date to book. These available bookings do seem to go pretty fast.
When you've got those available appointments you have only a few minutes to complete and finish the rest of the booking details
If you find you really can't get what you want, then you'll need to repeat this procedure each night until you get what you want.
Don't forget to cancel any bookings you made that eventually you don't want.It's really not fair otherwise.People who end up being no-shows because they didn't cancel can be a huge problem to those who are trying to book one. Please be nice.

UKBA statistics tell us that on average the Croydon PEO refuses less than 2% of all applications in all categories made in person.

Just be sure that for personal appearance applications you case is very straightforward with all needed supporting documentary evidence and does not require any special or additional verifications from back-office caseworkers. Otherwise you'll not get a decision on the day and your application will go straight to the bottom of the postal applications pile.

As long as your application is valid and straightforward your chances of getting everything done and dusted is extremely high.

As an alternative you may be interested to know that there is a special service called the 'Legal representatives' same-day service
Although I have no idea just how much this would cost, it is an excellent opportunity if you have the budget and if you want to secure a decision asap or within the 6 week window or without the issues around booking your own appoinment.

Take a look here to discover that specific pathway.
It may not suit everyone that's for sure. But hey, it's there.

Finally if you get really really frustrated and just can't succeed whatever you do, try sending an e-mail to applyonlinee-support@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
(see this webpage)

or as a very last resort you could try an e-mail to appointmentexceptions@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Good luck to all
Hope this has been helpful