I called the Home Office helpline again, and a second caseworker emphasized that I am eligible to apply on the visitors' visa now, because the visitors' visa was still valid at the time (i.e. 6 months had not yet elapsed) - I repeated the question a number of times and she had the same answer. She e...
Hi, thanks for this. I had posted on this before actually, but in relation to the "gap", which HO itself has now clarified in the guidance notes (apr 09) Re: visitors' visa, in the rules it only states "leave to enter OR remain". So does that mean visitors' visa does count becaus...
Hi all, I have a dilemma. Basically, 10 years ago (2 June 1999) I came to the UK on a visitor's visa. Before the visitor's visa expired (2 December 1999) I left the UK - on 14 November 1999. On 16 November 1999 I received a writers and artists visa. On 14 December 1999 I re-entered the UK. From then...
Hi guys, I am intending to switch from HSMP to Tier 2. Basically I didn't get enough points (income) this year to be able to renew my HSMP. I have a job offer with a law firm, but I've now been informed that there is an issue with the Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship. Basically, in the guidance not...
Hi all, I am currently on HSMP, expiring at the beginning of July 2009. I didn't get enough points for an extension to Tier 1, but fortunately I have an employer willing to sponsor me (I meet the points threshold for potential earnings etc). How long are the processing times for in-country switching...
Hi all, I am currently on HSMP. I first came to the UK on 2 June 1999 on a multiple-entry visitors visa valid for 5 years (i.e. the expiry date of the visa was 2003). I left the UK on 14 November 1999 in order to get a writers and artists visa, which I received just 3 days later as an entry clearanc...
Jes2Jes - first of all, my warmest congratulations for getting ILR!!! I am so happy for you!!! You may recall that some time ago I posted on this forum about this issue - the "gap" in ILR for the 10-year concession. Basically, I am currently on HSMP, and am still not sure whether I am elig...
William, When does your student visa expire? It would actually have been better if you had done it the other way around, i.e. apply for the student visa extension, get that, THEN apply for ILR safe in the knowledge that if ILR failed for any reason, you would still have valid leave through the stude...
Hi all, I'm currently on HSMP that expires in July 2009. I'm studying part-time as well as working. I am intending to apply for pupillage in barristers' chambers to start in September 2009, but I am wondering if the income from the pupillage "draw down", i.e. when chambers give you an adva...
Brian, I'm also on HSMP and am currently studying. I'm on a 2 year HSMP and my course finishes in the summer so I plan to work as soon as I finish the course (so it will be within the 12 month qualifying period for earnings). If you're going to study in October 2008 then you can either get a part ti...
Hi everyone, I've been in the UK since June 1999 through a combination of visitor visa, writers/artists, work permit, student and HSMP. I am currently on HSMP, which expires in July 2009. I am not sure as to whether I should apply for an extension of HSMP when it expires in 2009, or whether to go fo...
