HSMP to Tier 1 extension: Early renewal by 9 months?

[R.Miller31]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

[mvent00]

I saw a few people on the forum who applied successfully 6 months before the expiry date. You can apply as well. Anyway, you do not have to give reason for an early application.

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

[crowbar6]

I saw a few people on the forum who applied successfully 6 months before the expiry date. You can apply as well. Anyway, you do not have to give reason for an early application.

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

Agreed, there is no problem in applying early.

[vks]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

One caution though, it is purely a risk! Depends upon the case worker.

[mvent00]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

One caution though, it is purely a risk! Depends upon the case worker.

And what exactly that risk is?

[vks]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

One caution though, it is purely a risk! Depends upon the case worker.

And what exactly that risk is?

VISA extension date may NOT be from the end of the Visa expiry.

[ChetanOjha]

Unlink others I think you should give convincing reason to get the approval. HO's "recommended" period is before 5 weeks and case worker is in right to reject the application if he feels that you are trying to abuse the system(if you apply long before your current visa expiry).

Yes, people do got approval before 6 months in this very forum. But that doesn't mean you can get too. Decision varies from case to case basis and hence I would advice to be cautious with this and provide sound reason.

[Master_Blaster]

I agree with Chetan.

As per your descrpition, I assume if you apply now you get the bare minimum points (75 + 10 + 10) including points for age.

I guess the case worker can find easily that you are applying now only to qualify by virtue of your age.

As Chetan says, there is a risk for rejection unless you provide sound reason for applying 9 months early. You may also need some evidence to support your reason.

[mvent00]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

@ Chetanojha, Vks, and Master_blaster,
Except an early application, what are the other possible options available to him?

[Master_Blaster]

Am not sure to be honest. It depends on the circumstances.

One thing that can surely help is to try and increase the earnings (through new job / second job etc) to compensate for the points that will be lost due to age.

Other suggestions welcome.

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

@ Chetanojha, Vks, and Master_blaster,
Except an early application, what are the possible options available to him?

[mvent00]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

One caution though, it is purely a risk! Depends upon the case worker.

And what exactly that risk is?

VISA extension date may NOT be from the end of the Visa expiry.

I think this would be a light risk, in comparison with no visa at all!!

[ChetanOjha]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

@ Chetanojha, Vks, and Master_blaster,
Except an early application, what are the other possible options available to him?

It depends on the points shortfall. If he is falling short by only 5 points or on border of two salary bands, he can look for some part time job/work to boost the salary points. Earning from multiple jobs is accepted.

I have not seen any case who got visa extension nine months before. But I have also not seen anyone who is rejected either. Infact, I would also advice OP to send an email to Home Office asking them you can apply for extension? And whether you can apply as early as nine months to reach the threshold? If HO reply back saying you can apply, then attach the email along with application to support early extension application. Reason might not be required in that case.

I remember one of my friend asked the same query to home office(I might have posted the same in this forum but not sure). He was planning to renew 12 months before. HO replied back saying it is "recommended" to apply 5 weeks before visa expiry.

[Sushil-ACCA]

Hello all

I find myself in this situation as I had to return to my home country (because of the rule change) to get entry clearance for HSMP which took 6 months in total to obtain in 2008.

This has played havoc with my plans and must now apply before my birthday in order to qualify as my current earnings do not compensate for the shortfall in points lost.

Does anyone find themselves in a similiar situation? Do you think that the case worker would see kindly to my situation?

Thank for your input in advance.

@ Chetanojha, Vks, and Master_blaster,
Except an early application, what are the other possible options available to him?

It depends on the points shortfall. If he is falling short by only 5 points or on border of two salary bands, he can look for some part time job/work to boost the salary points. Earning from multiple jobs is accepted.

I have not seen any case who got visa extension nine months before. But I have also not seen anyone who is rejected either. Infact, I would also advice OP to send an email to Home Office asking them you can apply for extension? And whether you can apply as early as nine months to reach the threshold? If HO reply back saying you can apply, then attach the email along with application to support early extension application. Reason might not be required in that case.

I remember one of my friend asked the same query to home office(I might have posted the sameH in this forum but not sure). He was planning to renew 12 months before. HO replied back saying it is "recommended" to apply 5 weeks before visa expiry.

HO replied back saying it is "recommended" to apply 5 weeks before visa expiry.[/quote]

THIS is standrd reply of HO , 5 WEEK BEFORE

[vks]

One caution though, it is purely a risk! Depends upon the case worker.

And what exactly that risk is?

VISA extension date may NOT be from the end of the Visa expiry.

I think this would be a light risk, in comparison with no visa at all!!

when we assess this risk (may be low)

Probability of getting the visa stamped on the date, the VISA is processed would be HIGH

Impact - The person would be able to get the visa extended, so he has at the least a visa to stay.

The other impact is his ILR. Assuming that after 2011, the Path to Citizenship is implemented or the New Tier 1 proposal recommended by MAC is implemented by HO, then he either needs to re-apply for another extension by that time or he will not be eligible at all...


So it is worth taking the risk by him to renew his Visa now...

[mvent00]

@ VKS
That is right, ILR could be another issue helped by successful early extension.

@R.Miller31
You can prepare and submit your application and keep us informed with its outcome. Good luck!!

[ChetanOjha]

@ VKS
That is right, ILR could be another issue helped by successful early extension.

@R.Miller31
You can prepare and submit your application and keep us informed with its outcome. Good luck!!

I would also support it with email from home office, just in case.

[mvent00]

@ VKS
That is right, ILR could be another issue helped by successful early extension.

@R.Miller31
You can prepare and submit your application and keep us informed with its outcome. Good luck!!

I would also support it with email from home office, just in case.

Hi Chetan,
As we know, replies from the UKBA/HO are always the exact phrases used in their website/guidance notes/immigration laws. So, we would expect the same 5 weeks reply from them, which would be of no use. If he includes any email with this particular subject and his application goes to a caseworker who thinks otherwise, it could be a problem. OP should keep his application simple. He does not need to mention about early extension. Anyway, by now there is no law which stops you to applying for an early extension. Isn't it?

[ChetanOjha]

Hi Chetan,
As we know, replies from the UKBA/HO are always the exact phrases used in their website/guidance notes/immigration laws. So, we would expect the same 5 weeks reply from them, which would be of no use. If he includes any email with this particular subject and his application goes to a caseworker who thinks otherwise, it could be a problem. OP should keep his application simple. He does not need to mention about early extension. Anyway, by now there is no law which stops you to applying for an early extension. Isn't it?

If reply from HO is a standard template i.e. 5 weeks then OP don't have to attach it with his application. OP will attached email only if he received favourable reply (as he intended). I have few colleagues who received customised replies to their queries.

[mvent00]

If reply from HO is a standard template i.e. 5 weeks then OP don't have to attach it with his application. OP will attached email only if he received favourable reply (as he intended). I have few colleagues who received customised replies to their queries.

Okay then, to be on the safe side, OP should send an email to HO about it. If he gets favourable reply, attach this email, otherwise, just apply.

[ChetanOjha]

Some useful old discussion around the same query.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 382#232382

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... ail#247573

[R.Miller31]

Firstly thanks to you all for your inputs.

I called up a few of the migration agents like 1st Contact & Named OISC advisors. Both advised not to apply as the earliest you can apply is a month before. However I don't really value their opinion much as they offer a 'no visa, no fee' guarantee so they would only take on applications which they know are going to be successful.

I emailed the HO and explained my situation so hopefully shall have a response in a couple of days time.

I will keep you posted with their response but assume that it will be the standard 'one month before expiry' etc.

[ChetanOjha]

Firstly thanks to you all for your inputs.

I called up a few of the migration agents like 1st Contact & Named OISC advisors. Both advised not to apply as the earliest you can apply is a month before. However I don't really value their opinion much as they offer a 'no visa, no fee' guarantee so they would only take on applications which they know are going to be successful.

I emailed the HO and explained my situation so hopefully shall have a response in a couple of days time.

I will keep you posted with their response but assume that it will be the standard 'one month before expiry' etc.

No Win No Fee service are provided by many people e.g. joneskel etc. Some of them are very good but Named OISC advisors is on the other end of spectrum. You can search this forum where Named OISC advisors is said to be cheated with people.