Londonite, whether or not Tax Credits can be claimed vis-a-vis immigration issues is highly complex. The helpline do not have a good record of asking the right questions, and therefore their answers have been known to be wrong. Or it could be, on your facts, you are allowed to claim, but that certa...

I understand the requirements for ILR. However, its not clear if our dependants have the same restrictions.

If, for example, my wife left the UK for more than the 6 months allowed, would she still be eligible for ILR when I am?

Many thanks,

Londonite

Child Tax Credit - Yes

Child Benefit - No

Had the same questions and called the Child Benefit helpline to get these answers. They did say that once we get ILR, we will be eligible to receive Child Benefit payments.

Londonite

Complete Form FLR(O) and go to any PEO (such as Croydon) and get depedant visa stamped in Baby's ppt. £500 fee or (£315 by post) but best to do in person application

Many thanks Chess. Why do you recommend in-person application if the cost is so much more?

Londonite

We had a baby girl early this year. Registered the birth and got her a passport from the US Embassy already.

Don't know what to do about the EC or HSMP Dependant residence visa stamp. Does anyone know if we need to fill out another FLR/IED, or some sort of in-country entry clearance?

Londonite

Thanks for your help John and Guestman. Yes, baby was born in the UK so we will be paying the increased in-country fee unfortunately.

Londonite

Had a baby girl last month. We're in the process of getting a passport for her. Does anyone know if we also need an HSMP EC stamp for her?

Londonite

Hello Farez - I would seek a solicitors professional advice on this straight away. Might want to think about posting another topic asking about good solicitors if you don't have one in mind.

Good luck to you,

Londonite

If I have a bachelors degree and IT certifications can I claim points for Professional Level Qualification. (25 points) No I don't believe you will receive any points for IT certs. However, you should include them to help prove that you are employable in UK's IT market. And if my experience is 3 ye...

Zeke is right, not a waste of time at all. It's always good to here how people have done once the've landed - even when it hasn't gone exactly according to plan. Ethan, are you working in the same field you applied under? Do you have enough money to live on? You will need to apply for your extension...

Thanks all, one more thing to look forward to when we all get ILR.

Londonite

I think to get a precise answer you should explain what kind of 'Child benefit' you are talking about. whether you actually mean child tax credit could mean quite a big difference.

Not a tax credit, rather the £17 per week sort of child benefit.

Does anyone know for certain if child benefits are off limits to HSMP visa holders?

Many thanks,

Londonite

Sould i expect a letter from the HO asking for the bank statements with signature on it ? No worries Ajay. I applied for FLR last summer with normal bank statements (no signature) and was approved without questions. If HO has a problem with your application, it won't be down to bank statement signa...

It's my guess that a lot of people applied who weren't really qualified after the points got lowered, increasing the rejection rate. Lynn - look at the numbers for US applicants. There wasn't a huge increase in the second period over the first. Yet, we went from mostly accepted to 7 of 10 rejected....

Very interesting post. Looks like people from all countries were being refused in high numbers last year.

Could be a response to the change in volume of applications. I suppose this might be a way to control HSMP emmigration numbers without using quotas.

Londonite

QUESTIONS 1. for those who have applied for EC on an HSMP visa, do you get EC for a year or in other words is the duration of HSMP determined by the date on the approval letter or by the duration of your EC??? It's all about the EC start date. My initial HSMP visa expired exactly one year after EC ...

Interresting reading Chess. I remember the rejection rate before the October 2003 change was at something like two out of three. I wonder what it is now.

That is the $64,000 question

Guess they haven't taken the American out of you yet.

Londonite

Congrats Gladiator - you've made it sound easy.

Did you manage the whole four years on Work Permits?

Are you going for naturalisation in a years time?

Londonite

Checkmate - are people getting entry clearance then waiting six months to enter the country?

I understand that we are to apply for ILR within a month or two of FLR extension expiry. But that should be four years, right?

So it appears that we have the following conditions for ILR (the same as work permit holders); 1) We've been in country under HSMP at least 3.5 of the last 4 years. 2) No access to public funds. 3) We have been economically active for the most part. 4) And we have job in hand at the time of applicat...

Thanks John - Yes, I found this HO paragraph as well. From what I can see, we only need to be economically active and have been given our full HSMP extensions to be considered for completion of the program. I'm still employed in my field and haven't taken up a new life at University, so it really do...

Yes, we would be applying for ILR as HSMP visa holders.

Question is, if an applicant failed to meet HSMP program requirements, could they be turned down when applying for ILR even if all else was fine?

Does anyone know if ILR is any different for skilled migrants? In other words, are we judged on HSMP program requirements in addition to the standard ILR requirements when applying after four years?

Many thanks and happy new year all,

Londonite

darikusa - we were told last year that setting up a UK account while still in the US was now impossible due to the US Patriot act. Even after we landed here fall of last year it was extremely difficult and time consuming setting up a bank account without UK citizenship. We ended up attempting at two...