Cheers, aj77.
Has anybody read the recent (Dec. 2007) government published "HIGHLY SKILLED MIGRANTS UNDER THE POINTS BASED SYSTEM - STATEMENT OF INTENT" (linked given by zmanzoor), the sentence on its page 17 says, "Settlement - We will introduce a new provision enabling people who have had leave in HSMP to be able to count that time towards the threshold for being able to apply for settlement from Work Permits (Tier 2)".
You can find this pdf file from this link
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteco ... s/pbsdocs/
To me, it means the 4 years time we spent under HSMP will be counted while we apply for ILR from WP if some of us do switch to WP later on.
It seems the government has somehow, realized the real controversy issue of 1+3+1 HSMP applicants is the Clock Reset, which will have big chance to let HO lose the JR case.
Having said that, I am still not sure the condition of applying the WP will remain the same or not, in particular, if the waiver of labor market test will be still valid for those who has been working for one employer for more than 12 months (in our 1+3+1 case).
How about those who have just changed employers recently ? Or, it still can't address the issue that the employers are not bothered to apply the WP for them.
Well, I have been working for a local council since September, 2006 as an IT analyst, though I don't see a problem to continue to stay in my current job until my HSMP visa expires in this December end, but I have no idea if the local council is eligible to sponsor me the WP or not.
Nevertheless, I am seeing there is some sort of "compromise" coming from HO side - yes, as long as we keep fighting and shouting and hence, I am here to appeal everybody to donate the money to the HSMP JR.
Kelvin