All communications were direct via e-mail and phone calls.

Their computer was not updated with the new rules that came into force in april this year when initial entry clearance for HSMP was changed from one to two years.

Update: 29/08/06 There is so little information about entry clearance for HSMP applicants, even that given on UK government websites are vague and at times contraditory. The HSMP category is not even mentioned on the VAF1 form. The visa section said "It is up to the discretion of the visa offic...

Timelines: Applied HSMP 20th June 2006 (Italy) Docs delivered 21st June 2006 CC charged 7th July 2006 Approved 24th July 2006 Docs Received 2 August 2006 Entry Clearance applied 3 August 2006 from Rome Passport returned with only 1 yr visa 28 August 2006, reason given immigration rule 135b states sh...