After my HSMP approval I am in my phase of suitable job search. I need some help to better understand the limitations/flexibilities on the kind of work I am allowed to do.
I have done some research on the official HO website / guidance notes and my observations are as follows:
1) Current HSMP guidance notes 'Question & Answer' section Q-26.1 answer states:
The old HSMP guidance notes when I applied in December 2003 also had a sentence in this Q&A section as "However you will be expected to work at a level appropriate to your skills..." This sentence has been taken out from the current Mar04 version of the HSMP guidance notes."You can undertake any work, for example it could be as an employee, a contract worker or on a self-employed basis or a combination of these. It will usually be expected that you will be lawfully economically active when you apply to extend your stay in the UK under the programme. However if you have been unable to put your business or employment plans into operation we will expect you to provide evidence that you have taken all reasonable steps to become lawfully economically active.
2) I could not find any definition / explanation of the term 'Lawfully economically active' in the HO official websites. Referring to the FLR(IED) form guidance note No.6 under sub-section 'Documents required - For HSMP extensions' states that:
In the IND website the HSMP leaflet leads you to "Working in the UK" website. This website's HSMP FAQs Q-5 states:If you have applied for a HSMP extension, you must submit documents that demonstrate the following:
o Your economic activity and your personal earnings to date if you are employed, during your stay under the Programme;
o Evidence of the business you have established, if you are self-employed.
o If you are not economically active you will need to provide evidence to show that you have taken all reasonable steps to do so during your stay in the UK e.g. several job applications relevant to your skills and experience
Details of all the information to send with your extension application can be obtained from the Home Office website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
This leads me back where I started with the FLR(IED) form !!!5. How do I get an extension?
Extension applications should be submitted approximately one month before your leave to remain as a Highly Skilled Migrant expires.
You must submit:
A fully completed FLR(IED) application form.
The correct payment.
Any original documentation required to support statements made on the FLR(IED) application form.
3) In the current HSMP guidance notes section 18.1 on 'Extension of stay in the United Kingdon' partly states:
Could somebody pls help to clearly define / understand these ambiguous terms on which an HSMP extension is based?You will be asked to provide evidence of your economic activity during your period of stay in the UK and evidence of your personal earnings during the period, if you are employed.
Thanks