Switching from HSMP to Work Permit

[JKP]

Hi,

Thinking of switching to Work Permit from HSMP for one year because cannot score 75 points for FLR. If I manage to switch, will it be required to stay for another 5 years before I can apply for ILR because I have changed immigration category?
When the time will come to apply for FLR my total stay will be 4 years.

Please advise.

Thanks & regards,
Jehanzeb

[SYH]

ILR is 5 years first of all
Second, if you change to WP your ILR clock will restart

[Rog]

Hopefully, the clock would not restart now after switching to WP from HSMP under transistional arrangements. With the new immigration proposal as per the below excerpts from the Tier system set to be implemented in 2008, , now it seems that the clock will not be reset and you can obtain ILR even if you switch from HSMP to WP. This is good news for those HSMP holders not meeting 75 points and hoping to switch to WP.


*Time spent in any Highly Skilled sub-category
except Post-Study Work will count towards the
period the person needs to be here for before
being eligible to apply for settlement in the
Highly Skilled or Skilled tiers (currently 5
years).


*We will introduce a new provision enabling people who have had leave in HSMP to be able to count that time towards the threshold for being able to apply for settlement from Work Permits (Tier 2).
HSMP leave will count towards the threshold for being able to apply for settlement from the Highly Skilled: General sub-category.
once they are implemented.

[JKP]

This great news! Thanks for your help.