Post
by uniuni » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:46 am
Hi Sam.
I'm a newly qualified teaher starting in September and in the same situation as yours.
Fortunately I got my work permit within a week so now I need to get FLR (further leave to remain).
I made so many enquiries about FLR application, calling up the home office. Different people gave me different answers and it was so frustrating. They said they were seriously understaffed but would get more staff soon. One said it would take five weeks now but another said over eight weeks. None of them really grasp the situation really.
I was initially going to go back to my home country and get an entry clearance (leave to enter) there because I thought it would be quicker (you can get an EC on the same day). But I was told that the British Embassy in my country wouldn't accept my application because the work permit approval letter I got was issued to a person who is 'already in the uk' so the embassy cannot deal with my case.
Anyway so I posted my application for FLR yesterday. I'll just wait until August and if I don't get my passport back by Sep, I'll speak to my school. I can probably work as a volunteer (I cannot commence work until you get FLR as you know). I won't be able to sign a contract until then and won't get paid.
Apparantly the home office has a connection with Inland Revenue and if you start work and get paid, they will know it somehow and your school will get in trouble.
Sam, I know you're stressed. I've got a real headache. This new system (separate applications) is, I honestly think, a total failure.
I hope we all will be alright in the end.
Regards,
uniuni