Finally Done (HSMP + EC)

[jillsjack]

Dear Memebers,
I applied for EC on 13 Feb 05.
I am from Pakistan working in Libya. So I applied at the UK Embassy in Libya. I reached at 0800 and showed them my passport and HSMP approval. EC Officer was a lady and asked me four questions.
Where is Your Wife?
I told her she is in Pakistan and would Join me once I have a Job.
She then asked me where would you be staying?
I gave her a letter from a Friend who is a British Citizen, stating that I would be staying with him. I added that I am not sure that the place where my friend lives (Surrey, Thorton Heath) is a good place to be living in if one is looking for job. In response she explained the location of my friends address and added a few things about how to look for a job and said that it was good place.
What do you do?
I told her that I am an ERP Software Professional
Last question she asked was where do I work in Libya?
I answered about my employer.
That was that.
All in All I gave her 03 papers in addition to my passport:
1. HSMP Letter (Original)
2. Accomodation Letter
3. Bank Statement (12000 Pounds)

In the end She gave me a slip of paper and told me to come and collect my passport next day at 1330. I told her that I have to travel to another city (Tripoli to Ben-Ghazi) by road and I would like my passport to be available a little earlier so that I dont hit night on the road. She said fine, come and collect it at 0900.
Next day I went and asked for my passport. They gave me the Passport with HSMP Visa stamped effective 14 Feb 05. I asked the clerk there that I would like to talk to the EC Officer. He said that it is higly unlikely that they would grant me time to talk. I insisted, so he went in came back with the EC Officer in tow. I told her that the effective date is not good for me. I am working here and cannot leave my job immediately. She said that she will revoke the visa and issue a new one effective 01 April 05. I thanked her. She said go and have a cup of coffee and come back after 30 minutes. Which I did (barring the coffee) and received the Passport with a new Visa and the Old one crossed and cancelled.
I Thanked Almighty and prayed for days ahead.

I would like to thank the Board Members. This board has been a great help. For us (specially Asians and Africans) this means a lot. We dont know what the future may hold but such chances open windows of oppertunity for us and our families. I wish you all a very successful HSMP application. Of course I would keep contributing to this board. I will under take job hunt now and would post about my expeirences.
I would appricate any suggestions about how to go Job Hunting and dos and donts about UK.
Thanx again.

[f2k]

Congratulations there, i really agree with what you say about the help that this board has given us all. and also well done and thanks for clarifying on the issue of Entry clearance.

[gunjans]

Congarats Buddy......... it is a gr8 achivement...... and it seems EC officers and ppl in Libya are very kind enough as they did everything so fast and camlly.

could u plz tell ur details abt HSMP appl. like date, ref #, Ec etc.

rgds,
Gunjan.

[desiguy]

Congrats and thanks for sharing ur EC experience.

[Cosmopol]

Thanks for sharing, J's J - nice to get such a complete account...


Needless to say, your story was especially interesting as even a year ago it wouldn't be possible to find a British Embassy in Lybia... a tangible proof that some things in the world change for the better

[rella]

That's great that you got the later start data on your visa.

Good luck on your new life in the UK.

[lightpace]

congrats jills! thanks for sharing the great experience with the members. all the best with your new challenges in the UK. pls keep us posted!

[Mobig]

Congrats Jj.......now it will be easy for you to settle in UK. All is happened right according to your plns Good luck for your job hunt.