1. They do not accept Bank Balance Certificates for proof of funds. Instead they expect a passbook, or transaction history for the past 6 months, or fixed deposit certificates.
This makes sure you haven't borrowed a large sum of money a week or two before your EC application which a balance statement does not show. They want to see the transactions and their source e.g. salary etc. You are lucky to get asked for 6 months - some posts ask for 12 months.
2. Photographs should have a white background. They sent back all those applicants whose photos had colored backgrounds.
More or less standard photo requirements nowadays for use in visa, passport and other photo I.D. applications - a white background ensures your features are more visible. A patterned/ coloured background does the opposite - you want your photo to look good after all don't you
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3. You are expected to land in the UK within 90 days of the Visa's date of issue. This applies for your dependants too. So my plan - of doing the EC for my dependants now and then expecting them to join me 6 months later - did not work.
The visa is valid for entry into the UK at any time during its validity - we have posters on the board who have entered the UK at the 4-6 month stage of their HSMP visa. Who actually gave you this 3 month info - was it an ECO or one of the local staff? It may be a recommendation but its not in the immigration rules. I suspect they were refering to the approval letter. HSMP Team know the renewal stage will take care of the latecomers
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