Cover Letter for EC

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:08 am

Do I need a Covering Letter for my EC application. Who should the letter be addressed to, does anymore have a format ?

Regards
Stitcher

Chess · Post by **Chess** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:11 am

Do your own letter and post it on the forum so that we can ammend and change as necessary...

letter should be addressed to the Entry Clearance Manager

f2k · Post by **f2k** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:20 am

do you really need a cover letter for EC. dont you just complete the form VAF1?

try-one · Post by **try-one** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:27 am

The form is self explanatory, but if you are adding additional docs I imagine it is good to list them and brief the case worker on what you are sending.....just to be on the safe side, you never know....

The EC people tend to ask for all docs and then try to undertand what you have there, they have little time to guess, so a little help won't hurt...

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:38 am

Thanks Guys,

how about this letter which I had originally addressed to the Consular General.

Dear Consular General,

Sub: Application for Entry Clearance against HSMP

I am submitting the below mentioned documents in support of my application for Entry Clearance for my HSMP Visa, along with the VAF1 form, my passport and the HSMP approval letter. The documents are categorized into the following three sections.

· Finances
o Previous 6 months bank statements
o Previous 6 months salary slips
o Bank passbook

· Proof of accommodation
o Hotel booking for 2 weeks in London
o Invitation letter from my friend (even though I do not intend to stay with my friend)

· Job
o Some prints outs from Job portals where I have registered
Since most of the employers require a face to face interview, I am unable to proceed with my candidature for employment.

· Educational Certificates
o Bachelors Degree
o Masters Degree

· Work experiences
o Work experience letters

I intend to enter the United Kingdom on the 1st of Feb as I have certain commitments and obligations towards my current employer and more over I expect the employment market to slow down a little until the New Year, due to the oncoming festive season.

Incase you require of me any additional documents or information, please do let me know.

Regards
_____

bani · Post by **bani** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 5:14 pm

that letter looks good, you could also just address it to "Visa Officer".

i submitted my EC application in Manila, they asked for a checklist of all documents included (which looks a lot like your list, arranged by section), but no cover letter. still waiting, hopefully i find out this week.

lightpace · Post by **lightpace** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:21 pm

a colleague of mine who made hsmp earlier in the year was not even asked any serious questions by the EC officer in Lagos. he just requested for his hsmp approval letter and in a matter of minutes he was through with his visa interview! i guess it's different strokes...

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 1:43 am

bani wrote:that letter looks good, you could also just address it to "Visa Officer".

i submitted my EC application in Manila, they asked for a checklist of all documents included (which looks a lot like your list, arranged by section), but no cover letter. still waiting, hopefully i find out this week.

Thanks bani and best of luck to you do keep us posted on the results.

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:03 am

lightpace wrote:a colleague of mine who made hsmp earlier in the year was not even asked any serious questions by the EC officer in Lagos. he just requested for his hsmp approval letter and in a matter of minutes he was through with his visa interview! i guess it's different strokes...

light i think it's country specific .. like if I go for EC from my home country (India) I am sure I would have to give all documents including tax papers and degree certificates etc but here in HK when I called the EC office they said they only need the bank statements and proof of accommodation but I am carrying every thing just in case cause he didn't sound very sure. I also read in the home office website that it is advised that the consulate sends the documents back to HO for approval in certain cases here is the extract

" Entry clearance officers have instructions to refer certain applications to the Home Office for guidance. These mainly involve cases which fall outside normal instructions or in which detailed enquiries in the United Kingdom will normally be needed. "

but it also very clearly states that

" It is up to the post concerned in each individual case to decide whether to accept an application. The Home Office has no authority to override a decision by the entry clearance officer in this respect. "

Given the fact that HSMP is relatively new concept and the selection criteria varies depending on the country, I am trying to be a little cautious with my EC

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:05 am

bani wrote:that letter looks good, you could also just address it to "Visa Officer".

i submitted my EC application in Manila, they asked for a checklist of all documents included (which looks a lot like your list, arranged by section), but no cover letter. still waiting, hopefully i find out this week.

bani - btw how did you submit your application ? as in .. did you submit your application as a bunch of photocopied sheets ? or did you bind them together or something ???

bani · Post by **bani** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:20 am

they wanted originals and photocopies (for them to keep; i think this is true for all types of visa applications in manila). so i placed originals and photocopies in two separate folders, with a listing in front. this is separate from the VAF-1 form and HSMP approval letter. i sent the application through a courier (most embassies in manila have arrangements with couriers now, for security reasons), i don't expect to be interviewed, hopefully they can decide on the documents and not have to see me.

bani · Post by **bani** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:56 am

courier just arrived with my passport and EC stamp. but there's a catch - they only gave me 6 months! must be some mistake at the embassy here because everyone else got 1 year right? but they are so hard to contact. will start a new thread asking advice on whether i should get this visa reissued or just travel to the uk.

stitcher · Post by **stitcher** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:36 am

bani wrote:courier just arrived with my passport and EC stamp. but there's a catch - they only gave me 6 months! must be some mistake at the embassy here because everyone else got 1 year right? but they are so hard to contact. will start a new thread asking advice on whether i should get this visa reissued or just travel to the uk.

that's a little strange ... as far as I know if you intend to travel to the UK for less than 6 month you do not need an EC. I think you better ask the embassy coz if it's their mistake and you enter the UK with a 6 months HSMP visa you can get only one extension for 3 years so that makes it 3.6 years 6 months short of 4 years. lemme see if I can find any official docs about the duration of the HSMP.

bani · Post by **bani** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 8:17 am

thanks stitcher

.

btw, i did get the folder with all my original documents back. they kept the photocopies.

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Cover Letter for EC

Cover Letter for EC