I strongly support the letter and media campaign that many have suggested. I would add that you should also convince your employer and UK-citizen colleagues to write to the HO, MP and the media. They are the "stakeholders" that the UK government is most interested (and most vested) in hear...
No problem. Economically active just means that you are working, preferrably in your field. The longer you have worked in the UK, the better the chances that you will receive the full 3 year extension. They know that it takes some time to get established and get a job you want. If you become unemplo...
Giblet: You are correct; you have 6 months (and up to 9 months if the EC officer approves your post-date request which, in my experience, isn't guaranteed). For the time you would work in the UK, you should try to leave within the first few months of your EC (which initially now is 2 years), as you ...
Raguraam: Sorry, I meant to also answer your question in my last post. As the HSMP process is relatively quick now, I would wait to apply until you are fairly certain that you want to go to the UK. With the new rules, you have 6 months from receipt of your HSMP approval letter to apply for your Entr...
Hi. If you are applying for your EC in New York and want your EC post-dated (or have any other special requests), I suggest making an in-person appointment. I mailed in my EC request stating my need for a 3 month post-date in my cover letter, but it was overlooked (although I followed the instructio...
Have you had any luck with your urgent request? I'm hoping to do the same in the coming weeks. I guess the HO overwhelmed themselves again with the new applications (as a Sept applicant, I been waiting forever).
Jade: If you submit only the notorized copies, make sure that you explain both in your cover letter and with the document attachment that you received word from the HSMP team that this is permitted. I have heard some applicants being rejected as they did not enclose their original diplomas. I submit...
Congrats also, Bugmaster. Your ability to receive your HSMP using a job consideration letter instead of a job offer letter has given me much hope! I'm certain I can get the former (as I am tired of waiting since Sept). One question I had: how detailed was the letter your prospective employer wrote? ...
Hector: It is definitely ok to contact UK recruiting agencies before you relocate to the UK. I have done so myself in the marketing sector, but mainly to introduce myself and gain insights into the jobs and salaries that meet my needs. It is hard, though, to interview for a job before coming to the ...
I am also in the same boat, as a late September applicant. Like the rest of us, I don't know when our application will be reviewed. The HO hasn't published any time lines for clearing the backlog. Given that the HO has just admitted that their July 12 processing date was wrong (it is meant to be Jun...
gunjans: Here is the link for the urgent processing form you are seeking: http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/documents/all_forms.html Scroll down to the HSMP section and it is the last link entitled: Urgent treatment form (603KB). Aslo, thanks F2k and Sergio 39 for finding/posting...
Congratulations! I'm also a late summer applicant and the job offer route is one I am also pursing. If you don't mind me asking, what field is your job in (IT, Marketing, etc.)? I read (on the workpermit.com site) that the HO may be approving job offers quicker for those in "demand" or sca...
The "two-tier" review process does appear to be the case. I'm confirming this with my solictor who submitted my application. She encouraged me last summer to hold off applying as she believed this so-called "ringfencing" would be implemented in early fall. I waited until late Sep...
Regarding the delay of the June - Nov applications, I think I know the answer. The HSMP team probably instituted their "ringfencing" policy, which my solictor who filed my application advised me about, albeit too late for me. By ringfencing, HSMP catches up on their timelines by dividing t...
