How long are HSMP Extensions taking these days?

gopijags · Post by **gopijags** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:19 pm

Hi All

How long are HSMP Extensions taking these days? I am about to apply for a 3 year extension.

Please advise.

Jags

raoms · Post by **raoms** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 5:42 am

A recent reply from HSMP was

Please note that applications are taking
about 16 weeks to process from the date of receipt at the moment.

by the time you apply may be it will reach 20-24 weeks

all the best. Also note that send all the documents in original. If you leave anything they may demand for it later which will delay your application as well as others.

shayar · Post by **shayar** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 1:08 am

gopijags/raoms,

So, in that case, is it advisable to file an extension ahead of time ?
Would Home Office allow that ?(normally it is just one month before expiry)

shayar

tech · Post by **tech** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 1:14 am

16 Week time frame doesn't apply for HSMP extension. I read somewhere in the forum, it is a month including EC.

Mini · Post by **Mini** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:32 am

Raoms,
tech is correct..you are mistaking HSMP approval for Extension. gopijags is looking for extension. Extension as per data available currently is taking 2-4 weeks.

pixi · Post by **pixi** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:23 am

Not now. I am still waiting and I sent my application at the end of May.

shayar · Post by **shayar** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:43 am

Pixi,
So, has your initial 1 year visa expired now ?

shayar

pixi · Post by **pixi** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:51 pm

Yes, it has.

shayar · Post by **shayar** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:02 pm

Oh..so do u think it is advisable to apply for an extension sooner ?
I guess HO should not have an objection specially if you meet the requirements..(like being economically active..etc..etc...)
Any views or experiences ???

shayar

Cosmopol · Post by **Cosmopol** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:44 pm

Shayar - expiration of your HSMP visa does not hurt you as long as you file for an extension prior to that. You maintain your legal statusand rights for the entire time the extension app is considered.

shayar · Post by **shayar** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:07 pm

Cosmopol,
Appreciate you indicating that to me, however, my interest was having views on filing an early extension and getting rid of the one year clause. The soon the extension is approved, the better off you are...do u agree ?

shayar

Cosmopol · Post by **Cosmopol** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:14 pm

From the personal standpoint I could agree, but the danger here is that a "premature" application is more likely to be rejected (all other things being equal), and thus you waste a fee and time.

timefactor · Post by **timefactor** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 12:28 pm

Also it will be few months short of your ILR (<1 year+3 years extension)

raoms · Post by **raoms** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 5:57 am

appologies!! It is not 16 weeks its just 6 weeks. Anyway remove 1 and 6 is still there

bashir2003 · Post by **bashir2003** » Sat Jul 10, 2004 1:04 pm

My hsmp was stmped in mid of Dec 2003 and the expiry date mentioned on the visa is Dec 2005.

This is the 1st year stamping.
I am bit confused shouldnt it be Dec 2003 & expiry Dec 2004. (1 year)

My question.
Should I apply for extension in Dec 2004 or shall I wait till Dec 2005 for filing my extension, in that case it will look as 2 years and then next 3 year (which means 5 years altogether).

I came to uk end of 28may 04, & started my work on 29th may.

Pls advise, what should i do in regards to my extension appl.

Many Thanks

v_willrock · Post by **v_willrock** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:07 am

Please see reply from WP Relations team below:

You can apply for the HSMP extension more than a month before it expires,
however, it may affect your application for permanent residency as you may
fall short of 4 years as a Highly Skilled Migrant.

The current turnaround time for extension is about 5-7 weeks.

Please note that the FLR (IED) application form must be completed by all
HSMP applicants from within the UK.

I hope this is helpful.

Chess · Post by **Chess** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:38 am

Willrock,

That is very useful information - But I think HO should ammend the immigration rules and specify what the situation is. (I.e make it categorically clear that renewals are allowed 1month or 2 before the initial 12 months are over).

....I believe there may be legal challenges in future if HSMP people are short of a 'few - months' when applying for ILR....

Cosmopol · Post by **Cosmopol** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 4:45 pm

Chess wrote:....I believe there may be legal challenges in future if HSMP people are short of a 'few - months' when applying for ILR....

I'm sure there'll be plenty of those, as many don't arrive in the UK as soon as theit passport is stamped, therefore having to renew [much] less than a year after arrival.

hk_007 · Post by **hk_007** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 6:48 pm

I don't see why the subsequent extension cannot be made from the next day the initial 1 year ends rather than the date on which the application is processed. That way one can apply for extension 1 or 2 months in advance yet take full advantage of 4 year stay (1 intial + 3 extension).

Cosmopol · Post by **Cosmopol** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 7:18 pm

Because your HSMP status is granted for one year from the date in the Entry Clearance stamp, not from the date you arrive in the country.

hk_007 · Post by **hk_007** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 11:50 am

[quote="Cosmopol"]Because your HSMP status is granted for one year from the date in the Entry Clearance stamp, not from the date you arrive in the country.[/quote]

Agreed. Then it would be better to appply for extension as late as possible rather than earlier. From the way I see it if the EC stamp is marked 1st Jan 2004, then 1 year will be up on 31st Dec 2004. And if one delays entry into the UK by lets say 2 months, coming in on 1st March 2004, then one will have only 10 months of stay to show for at the end of the initial year. Therefore if the application for extension is made just a day or two before Dec 31, and it takes 6-8 weeks for processing then the 3 year extension will start from about March 2005 going upto Feb 2008, at which point the person would have resided in the country for 4 years! From what I know (correct me if I am wrong) if the papers are with the home office, then one can remain legally in the country even if the original validity has expired. So a legal way to get back the 6-8 weeks one has lost

Cosmopol · Post by **Cosmopol** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:12 pm

This may certainly work for those whose delay in entering the UK after the visa date is comparable with the processing delay of the extension application. If someone arrives on their 4th or 6th month of HSMP visa validity, the concern will certainly arise. My point is that this "gap" scenario is not yet covered in HO instructions, so we'll have to wait and see.

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How long are HSMP Extensions taking these days?

How long are HSMP Extensions taking these days?

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How long are HSMP Extensions taking these days?