It was indeed very challenging to get first position of choice, but I was lucky as I was not only single but also very young (low opportunity costs) and started off at a junior position in a very big and respected multinational company. A couple of years later in 2006 I finally got a great opportun...

Thanks everybody, great discussion. My point was just to make clear the big difference between coming to the UK as a young, single professional and as an older, manager with a family. In the first case, you might have a rough time finding your first job, but with your skills and hard work you will e...

Hi WorkPermitIssues, Thanks for the comment. You have a good point. I have to clarify that I also went to the UK by myself. Family stayed in Ecuador, but I had to support myself in Birmingham and my family in Ecuador, all with personal savings. I strongly suggest everybody to avoid bringing their fa...

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share my recent experience in the UK. It might be helpful to someone. I am 40 yrs. old, married with 2 kids, my wife stays with the kids. I am Chemical Eng. with a Msc. (USA) and an MBA. 13 years of professional experience (5 of those working in the USA) in the field of...

This question should be taken to the General Discussion Forum.

I arrived to the UK under the HSMP over a month ago. I am actively looking for a job, and eventhough I am highly qualified I am not being given opportunities for interviews. I need help with the following: A very well known Recruiting Agency (I don't want to name it) has requested me a letter from t...

Hi Gordon,

Thank you very much. I think I lost the boarding pass from Dublin, but I will try to find it.

Best Regards.

Juan

Hi, Try the following sites: http://www.spareroom.co.uk http://www.flatshare.co.uk Sharing a room would be the cheapest and easiest way. But for London, you won't find any descent places for less than 90 - 100 pounds a week. Depending on the kind of job you are looking, the kind of industry, etc. yo...

Hi there, I entered the UK a few weeks ago under HSMP. My connection flight came from Dublin to Birmingham, where I live now. When I arrived to Birmingham, my passport was never stamped. I asked an immigration officer, and he told me that with internal EU flights you don't need a stamp, since my pas...

You're welcome Bob.

Good luck with your application. I'm going to apply next week... so hopefuly everything will go OK.

Juan
Quito, Ecuador

Hi everybody, I just got my HSMP approved :lol: Now, I am going for the EC. I asked my local British Embassy, and the requirements for the EC here in my country are not as tough as I've heard for India or Pakistan. They even told me I can get the EC stamped during the same day. My question is the fo...

Hi push_hsmp, you have a very good point. I was assuming that Bob was outside the UK.

If he is in the UK, the answer would be completely different.

Bob where are you?

Juan
Quito, Ecuador

Bob, First, I have a doubt regarding the EC application form: in form IM2A (Revised 12/01) for Application for United Kingdom entry clearance To my knowledge, the form required for EC is VAF1 (Review October 2006). http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=...

Thanks to Everybody. The Approval Letter arrived today. After 30 days of stressful wait. The final sequence of events: Application sent via DHL: May 31st, 2007 Received HO: June 3rd, 2007 CC charged: June 7th, 2007 Decision made: June 14th, 2007 Approval letter and documents arrived: July 14th, 2007...

Hi Bob, I am just a new member, but to my knowledge, what you have to show in order to get the EC is enough funds to support yourself for the 4-5 months required to find a job. Additionally, you have to show that you have the skills required to find a job (employability). So, I don't know when do yo...

John, JAJ thanks for the input. According to what's been said, I think my children should arrive into the UK on early December so we have enough time for them to start school in January 2008. John, I will send you a note when I am in Birmingham so you can suggest which schools and areas I should loo...

Hi John, thank you very much for the reply. Mi children should start school as soon as they arrive to the UK. The problem is that, most probably, they won't join me there until I find a job. Since I am travelling to the UK around mid August, I don't think I will find a job til October - November. Th...

Hi everybody, I need your help to clarify the following doubt. I just got approved for the HSMP program, and my family and I are planning to move to the UK. I should travel in August to start looking for a job; my family should join me as soon as I find one. I don't think it is going to be possible ...

Thanks for the reply Gordon. Yes, they mentioned that they mailed the letter on June 14th : Dear Customer Thankyou for your e-mail. A decision letter and your documents were despatched by airmail on 14/06/2007. I am really worried. Hopefully, it is not lost. Waiting 12 weeks + for the reprint is too...

Hi everybody, I applied for the HSMP on early June. I live in Quito, Ecuador (South America). I sent the application by courier on May 31st, the HO received it on June 3rd, CC was charged on June 7th. I never received a Reference Number, so I contacted the HO about my application; they confirmed tha...

Hi Ishan, any news about your letter? I am in the same boat. The HO told me by email that they mailed my approval letter on June 14th. I have not received anything yet. I am located in Ecuador, South America and the NARIC letter took just 15 days to arrive. So far, it's been 22 days for the approval...