E-Petition To No 10 - TIER 1 Extension

[MICKS]

Okies, I thank all for their respective efforts and suggestion. With help from fellow members and a good lawyer friend of mine, here is what I vote to go live for petition by Tuesday 30/11/2010. I don't think there are many people who are aware of these possible changes. We need minimum of 500 LEGIT signatures for petition to be heard by No 10. So please guys spread the word, get you friends to join FB campaign, I only see 25 people thus far.. We need 500 at least and than all of them to sign it. I do not think below needs any major rewordings (simply because I have merged two or perhaps 3 different letters posted in here), but again suggestions are welcome Again, if we all here are agreed to 500 Signatures within 10 days of going live, I will publish it soon, or may be if someone else would like to do it, please feel free to volunteer After all, its collective effort and for benefit for all

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned are writing to express our views and concerns about closure of Tier1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier 1 Visa holders who are already onshore in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It comes clear from the speech by the home secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 general route from April 2011. But we would like to hereby insist that the efforts and sacrifices of existing Tier 1 holders must not be taken casually and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gains.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. We have not forced our way into the UK nor usurped the host country through deception. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off National Health Services (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. Now there might be a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but, note that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice.

Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. While being adversely affected by lack of information for the existing TIER 1 visa holders in the UK, it has also put us all in elevated state of anxiety adding insult to an injury.

Believing in values such as fairness and justice, which the UK has practiced (or perhaps invented) for a long time, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

There are several roots and reasons for us to love the UK and be thankful for it. Though there are key challenges, we remain open for meaningful integration. Being British is an emotional aspect that cannot be captured by immigration status or race. We are continuously demonstrating that we are earning our right to be settled – just like the way you intended us to be. Putting us in the same basket with those who are less committed to the UK is unfair and perhaps unjustifiable.

And above all, we love living in the U.K. and are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the British government. We are committed for keep making positive contributions towards making a better future for Britain. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier 1 Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK

P E R F E C T !!!!

thank you all for your efforts and getting us so far....

[dixey]

Hi all,

Don't assume that HSMP was the case so we would too. Recently immigrant welfare forum got there JR refused. So its better to act now than to overturn an act or changes. i have a copy of refusal letter but don't know how to attach.[/list]

[amit4444]

Hi,
Just a thought reading through this, do you not think the following paragraph should come further up in the body?

"In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. While being adversely affected by lack of information for the existing TIER 1 visa holders in the UK, it has also put us all in elevated state of anxiety adding insult to an injury."

Okies, I thank all for their respective efforts and suggestion. With help from fellow members and a good lawyer friend of mine, here is what I vote to go live for petition by Tuesday 30/11/2010. I don't think there are many people who are aware of these possible changes. We need minimum of 500 LEGIT signatures for petition to be heard by No 10. So please guys spread the word, get you friends to join FB campaign, I only see 25 people thus far.. We need 500 at least and than all of them to sign it. I do not think below needs any major rewordings (simply because I have merged two or perhaps 3 different letters posted in here), but again suggestions are welcome Again, if we all here are agreed to 500 Signatures within 10 days of going live, I will publish it soon, or may be if someone else would like to do it, please feel free to volunteer After all, its collective effort and for benefit for all

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned are writing to express our views and concerns about closure of Tier1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier 1 Visa holders who are already onshore in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It comes clear from the speech by the home secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 general route from April 2011. But we would like to hereby insist that the efforts and sacrifices of existing Tier 1 holders must not be taken casually and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gains.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. We have not forced our way into the UK nor usurped the host country through deception. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off National Health Services (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. Now there might be a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but, note that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice.

Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. While being adversely affected by lack of information for the existing TIER 1 visa holders in the UK, it has also put us all in elevated state of anxiety adding insult to an injury.

Believing in values such as fairness and justice, which the UK has practiced (or perhaps invented) for a long time, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

There are several roots and reasons for us to love the UK and be thankful for it. Though there are key challenges, we remain open for meaningful integration. Being British is an emotional aspect that cannot be captured by immigration status or race. We are continuously demonstrating that we are earning our right to be settled – just like the way you intended us to be. Putting us in the same basket with those who are less committed to the UK is unfair and perhaps unjustifiable.

And above all, we love living in the U.K. and are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the British government. We are committed for keep making positive contributions towards making a better future for Britain. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier 1 Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK

P E R F E C T !!!!

thank you for your efforts....

[MICKS]

next steps if we all agree......


Rax 1983 - please can you put a draft copy of this petition on Facebook....If there are any major changes to it (which i dont think there would be) we can keep Facebook updated.


Also there is an enormous resource which if we find a way to tap, we can easily get thousands of signatures for our petition....

www.spammer.com/uk-immigration-trackers


The only question now is how we get to these users, ask them to join the facebook group......Should we contact the adminstrators ofr trackitt and ask them to send a universal message to all ? Afterall it is in their interest...without Tier 1 extensions there will not be much activity on the UK section of this forum....

[mbrp]

@raxs1983 - The term "TIER1 HOLDER" is too wide. We should stick to "Tier1(General) migrant" I think. Otherwise we will be representing other catergories that are not affected.

Also, when you have merged the different versions, there is duplication. For example - in the first paragraph itself the second sentence is a duplicate of the first.

Reference to political scapegoating etc. in the first half of the letter puts a reader off. We must be humble throughout.

[cuberoot]

Minor edits. I think we need a few more days to tidy this up a bit before we send it. Note: I think we should remove the references to Britain. The UK consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.



Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier-1 (General) route from April 2011. We would like to hereby insist that the efforts and sacrifices of existing Tier-1 (General) holders are not taken lightly and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gain.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. We have not forced our way into the UK nor have we usurped the host country through deception. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, are employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to new schools etc. Now there may be a minority of Tier-1 (General) arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but it must be noted that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority for the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is unfair.

Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to the U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of the Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In the absence of a positive announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have been in vain if deterrents are placed in the path of Tier-1 (General) extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. The lack of clear information on the arrangements for existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders has made us all very anxious.

Believing in values such as fairness and justice, which the UK has always embodied, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier 1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would be a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy and importance of the positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

There are several reasons for us to love the UK and to be thankful for it. Though there are key challenges, we remain hopeful for meaningful integration. Being a UK resident is an emotional aspect that cannot be captured by immigration status or race alone. We are continuously demonstrating that we are earning our right to be settled – just like the way it was intended for us to be. Putting us in the same basket with those who are less committed to the UK is unfair and perhaps unjustifiable.

We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier-1 (General) Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

[mtuckersa]

a few things

this sentence is too long

Now there may be a minority of Tier-1 (General) arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but it must be noted that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority for the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is unfair.

---------------------------------

inconsistency with the word "UK" and "U.K." and "United Kingdom"

------------------------------

would try reword this

"and to be thankful for it" , "it" is not a good choice

---------------------------

emotional aspect that cannot be captured

can not?

-----------------------

"– just like the way it was intended for us to be."

this needs to be reworded some other way

[MJNair]

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier-1 (General) route from April 2011. We would like to hereby insist that the efforts and sacrifices of existing Tier-1 (General) holders are not taken lightly and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gain.
... I don't think we should use words like sacrifice, scapegoats or political gain here at this point. For all you know they might come up the next day with a win-win transitional arrangement for all.
Maybe only the 1st sentence is enough.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. We have not forced our way into the UK nor have we usurped the host country through deception. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, are employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to new schools etc. Now there may be a minority of Tier-1 (General) arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but it must be noted that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority for the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is unfair.

Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to the U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of the Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

Can we reword the above 2 paragraphs to ... I think it comes out a little too strong.. Also I don't think we should justify what the 30% of people did.
With HSMP and Tier 1s being routes to settlement, we gave up our careers and sold our houses back in our native country to relocate to the UK with our families to make UK our main home. As can be expected relocating one's career, life and family is a major decision and most of us have already taken significant steps to make move to the UK.

In the absence of a positive announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have been in vain if deterrents are placed in the path of Tier-1 (General) extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. The lack of clear information on the arrangements for existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders has made us all very anxious.

Believing in values such as fairness and justice, which the UK has always embodied, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier 1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would be a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy and importance of the positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.
. I don't think we need this statement here.

There are several reasons for us to love the UK and to be thankful for it. Though there are key challenges, we remain hopeful for meaningful integration. Being a UK resident is an emotional aspect that cannot be captured by immigration status or race alone. We are continuously demonstrating that we are earning our right to be settled – just like the way it was intended for us to be. Putting us in the same basket with those who are less committed to the UK is unfair and perhaps unjustifiable.
Do we need to say this here? All that is there in the UKBA site about existing Tier 1's is that they can apply for settlement at the end of 5 years and no mention of Tier 1 extensions.

We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier-1 (General) Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

I think that we should only be requesting for a confirmation that the Govt. will not introduce the changes retrospectively for those already in the UK based on the generally accepted rules of justice and fairness.

[rakeysh.patel]

Okay, comments and suggestions taken on board. Facebook page updated. Please head over there for updates. Also, a post made on Trackit with link to this post and FB page. Thank you all for your support.

Admin - Can you please make this Sticky before it gets lost

[MICKS]

Okay, comments and suggestions taken on board. Facebook page updated. Please head over there for updates. Also, a post made on Trackit with link to this post and FB page. Thank you all for your support.

Admin - Can you please make this Sticky before it gets lost

Outstanding rax1983..... thanks.

[MICKS]

One more suggestion....can we change the name of facebook group from Save Tier 1 to "Save Tier 1 Migrants in UK", its just that Save Tier 1 sounds like we are trying to salvage the whole program....

[rakeysh.patel]

One more suggestion....can we change the name of facebook group from Save Tier 1 to "Save Tier 1 Migrants in UK", its just that Save Tier 1 sounds like we are trying to salvage the whole program....

FB doesnt allow that name xx

[push]

"Suggestion": Take the reference to "Sacrifices made" out from the text or reword it. No one has made any sacrifices to come and do any good to UK as a matter of charity. It was a choice that everyone made (If some one was blunt he would say that you moved to greener pastures). It may however be argued that you had "legitimate expectations" of being treated under extension and settlement criteria that would be consistent with those prevalent at the time of grant of original leave.

If you really want to make a point about the costs that you have had to bear then saying something like - Trusting a fair treatment by the UK Government, you uprooted your families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to "make UK your main home" as envisaged under the HSMP/Tier-1 (general) scheme -would seem more appropriate.

The text as currently drafted, sounds a bit pleading in nature in some places, presupposes that some changes to the Extension criteria are imminent. Additionally, you seemed to be suggesting that the latest changes have been introduced to gain political mileage - Are you tying to question the intent of the Conservative Party/ Government?

As suggested by some, the idea should be just to seek "Confirmation" that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) VISA holders "continue to remain" the same and not sound as if you are expecting the same to be changed.

But then it is just a suggestion and you guys are the best judge of what is suitable.

[MJNair]

Agree with Push... we must not make a petition that sounds desperate.

Contrary to what someone already said in the form, we DO have a lot to lose, if we do not put the right petition in.

I think it should be kept short with just the key points.
- Who we are
- What is the concern
- What are we expecting

Here is my reworded petition with Push's comments in...


Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting for a confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

Trusting a fair treatment by the UK Government, we uprooted your families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make UK your main home as envisaged under the HSMP/Tier-1 (general) scheme, a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants.

In the absence of a positive announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your kind office to issue a confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP VISA holder will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

[MJNair]

But then it is just a suggestion and you guys are the best judge of what is suitable.

Thanks a lot Push for your valid suggestions and comments.

I request other senior members of this forum also to come forward and give their suggestions and comments and help with the petition.

[rohitys]

updated a post on linked in to join the FB page

[rosdean]

How do we sign up to this. Please advise

[LuckyJ]

Agree with Push... we must not make a petition that sounds desperate.

Contrary to what someone already said in the form, we DO have a lot to lose, if we do not put the right petition in.

I think it should be kept short with just the key points.
- Who we are
- What is the concern
- What are we expecting

Here is my reworded petition with Push's comments in...

[/color]

I agree with Push and also think the petition should be shorter, I feel that many of the points contained on the long version could be used later on, but at this stage I think we should limit the message to ask for clarification on the extensions and nothing else. If they come back with a negative news, then we could use some of the other ideas in further actions.

[srirags]

I agree with push, LuckyJ...

All senior members/ moderators, can you post your views to turn this effort in the right direction pls..

cheers,

[yh37]

Agree with Push... we must not make a petition that sounds desperate.

Contrary to what someone already said in the form, we DO have a lot to lose, if we do not put the right petition in.

I think it should be kept short with just the key points.
- Who we are
- What is the concern
- What are we expecting

Here is my reworded petition with Push's comments in...

[/color]

I agree with Push and also think the petition should be shorter, I feel that many of the points contained on the long version could be used later on, but at this stage I think we should limit the message to ask for clarification on the extensions and nothing else. If they come back with a negative news, then we could use some of the other ideas in further actions.

I agree, it's better to ask for clarification on extension only rather than asking them to make a promise at this stage.

[MICKS]

Agree with Push... we must not make a petition that sounds desperate.

Contrary to what someone already said in the form, we DO have a lot to lose, if we do not put the right petition in.

I think it should be kept short with just the key points.
- Who we are
- What is the concern
- What are we expecting

Here is my reworded petition with Push's comments in...


Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting for a confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

Trusting a fair treatment by the UK Government, we uprooted your families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make UK your main home as envisaged under the HSMP/Tier-1 (general) scheme, a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants.

In the absence of a positive announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your kind office to issue a confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP VISA holder will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

this is too short and doesnt say much at all. We weree not sounding desperate...but were putting accross the reality of our situation.

[MICKS]

Okies, I thank all for their respective efforts and suggestion. With help from fellow members and a good lawyer friend of mine, here is what I vote to go live for petition by Tuesday 30/11/2010. I don't think there are many people who are aware of these possible changes. We need minimum of 500 LEGIT signatures for petition to be heard by No 10. So please guys spread the word, get you friends to join FB campaign, I only see 25 people thus far.. We need 500 at least and than all of them to sign it. I do not think below needs any major rewordings (simply because I have merged two or perhaps 3 different letters posted in here), but again suggestions are welcome Again, if we all here are agreed to 500 Signatures within 10 days of going live, I will publish it soon, or may be if someone else would like to do it, please feel free to volunteer After all, its collective effort and for benefit for all

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned are writing to express our views and concerns about closure of Tier1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier 1 Visa holders who are already onshore in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It comes clear from the speech by the home secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 general route from April 2011. But we would like to hereby insist that the efforts and sacrifices of existing Tier 1 holders must not be taken casually and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gains.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. We have not forced our way into the UK nor usurped the host country through deception. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off National Health Services (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. Now there might be a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but, note that they are still not breaking any visa conditions. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice.

Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. While being adversely affected by lack of information for the existing TIER 1 visa holders in the UK, it has also put us all in elevated state of anxiety adding insult to an injury.

Believing in values such as fairness and justice, which the UK has practiced (or perhaps invented) for a long time, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

There are several roots and reasons for us to love the UK and be thankful for it. Though there are key challenges, we remain open for meaningful integration. Being British is an emotional aspect that cannot be captured by immigration status or race. We are continuously demonstrating that we are earning our right to be settled – just like the way you intended us to be. Putting us in the same basket with those who are less committed to the UK is unfair and perhaps unjustifiable.

And above all, we love living in the U.K. and are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the British government. We are committed for keep making positive contributions towards making a better future for Britain. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier 1 Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK

clearly...this is the best version so far as it actually provides full coverage from all perspectives.

[cuberoot]

MICKS there are numerous grammatical errors in your suggestion.

[cuberoot]

I agree strongly with push. A shorter and clearer petition would be more suitable at this point. Its easier for people to read and understand. A petition needs to be simple and clear, it should not cloud the main issues/concerns with superficial information.

Essentially all we want is clarity and fairness. This is what we should ask for.

[raja2008]

MICKS there are numerous grammatical errors in your suggestion.

Also, suggesions made by Push is not considered in your final version..

1. "Sacrifices"
2. "scapegoats for political gains"