Confusion abt post-dated EC & peiod available therafter

[Sher]

Some posts on EC state :

[1.] Says VAYU (EC in CANBERRA) - Just spoke to the EC lady at the UK high commission in Canberra. She informed me that I can delay my entry date into the UK up to 3 months after the date I apply for the EC.

I specifically asked the hypothetical question, does this mean an applicant can get HSMP approval, wait till the last week of the letters validity, and then apply to enter 3 months after that date. EC officer responded that was possible.

All in all though, she told me that I have to enter the UK within 6 months of the date of my letter being approved. So thats the catch if you want to call it that.

[2.]Says NATIONONE (EC in BANGALORE) - 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.

[3.]Says RAJP (EC in NY) - I applied for EC at the NewYork embassy. I used the fast track online system,filled the form, printed it and posted it along with my passport and the required supporting documents on June 17th-04.I received an email today stating that the visa has been granted and my passport is in the mail and i will be receiving it tomorrow. The whole process thru the post took approx. 2weeks. I requested the starting date to be 20-SEP-04. I'll update with further details after i receive my passport.
Thanks,
Rajp.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I received my passport thru FedEx this morning. The passport was stamped with a start date of 19-09-2004(I think this is because the embassy started processing my application on June19th and the max time allowed is 3 months from the date the embassy starts processing the application). So with the given advantages i used the 3months period to apply for the EC(HSMP letter was dated as of March 25th),another three months for the start date(19th sep) .I finally succeeded in getting another 3 months to finalize my things here in USA before i land in UK. The other point to be mentioned here is the EC on my passport is valid for ONE year only. Maybe I wasn't lucky to get the TWO year validity.

[1.] First and foremost, has anyone received the '3 month' deferred stamping in India ?
[2.] Along with the stating of the validity as 1 year, does the EC stamping also restrict entry to the UK upto 3 months from the date of stamping ? To my mind, visas are simply and unconditionally valid for a period. How true is this '3 month' entry rule ?

[3.] Isn't there some official word on this ? Can someone point a link ?


I am utterly confused

[Mini]

Sher,
As per my experience, in delhi they do not give you a post dated stamping just cause u asked for it. I did and got totally ignored. I think you have to give specific reason for it and also attach some proof to substantiate your reason.

For the 3 month thing maybe u should write an email to the workpermits and get a clear understanding from there.

[lynn132]

I'm trying to find out from the Los Angeles consulate if they will do the post-dating. I'll let you know what I find out.\

All in all, though, since you have only a year to establish yourself once you get entry clearance stamped, and there are limits on how much time you can spend outside the UK (don't know the exact number but I've seen it on this forum somewhere), it's really best to get entry clearnace within the time stated on the approval letter and get to the UK as quickly as possible after that. My letter is dated Feb 7, and I plan on getting entry clearnace in April and being in Scotland by mid-May.

[Sher]

Hi Lynn,

That was super prompt !

But pray tell me if yr EC/Visa has a 3 month entry constraint mentioned on it. In the other post you called it the ticking of the "1 year clock" ..... As per the quotes attached herewith, it seems a case of a "3 month clock" ......

[lynn132]

Let's see:
-you have to apply for entry clearance within three months of the letter
-you have to enter the UK within 3 months of the entry clearance
-The one-year visa starts the day you get stamped for entry clearance, so if you dawdle around for a couple of months after getting clearance, you're only hurting your chances of getting established.

Does anyone know offhand what the limit is on the number of days you can be outside the country during your first year?

[Sher]

Lynn,

If my memory serves me right, one is allowed 6 months in 4 years and (max) 3 months at one go.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, take a dekko at what I found ..... HURRAH !

Q: How long will my visa be valid for?
A: The period for which your visa is valid is always shown on the entry clearance placed in your passport/travel document. A standard visit visa is usually valid for six months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid for 1,2,5 or 10 years. All visit visas can be used for an unlimited number of entries to the UK. You may stay a maximum of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry date of the visa, whichever is shorter. If you are coming for another reason, the validity of the visa and how long you may stay is dependant on the reason.

The entry clearance will show the date from which it is valid. This is usually the date that it is issued. However, if you do not plan to travel immediately, you can ask for the start date to be deferred by up to three months. You must tell the entry clearance officer this when you make your application.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Can someone retrieve his/ her passport and go over it with a fine comb ...... and tell us as to what does the EC and accompanying HSMP visa (if any) say besides (presumably) "No recourse to public funds"
One yet needs to answer :
[2.] Along with the stating of the validity as 1 year, does the EC stamping also restrict entry to the UK upto 3 months from the date of stamping ? To my mind, visas are simply and unconditionally valid for a period. How true is this '3 month' entry rule ?
Which among the codes available at this link has/have been stamped on yr EC/ Visa ? - http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front ... 7023012243

We, the 'comers' at the forum will be delighted and grateful.

[Kayalami]

1. EC must be applied during the validity of the HSMP approval letter.

2. You can request the EC to be post dated when you do 1 - the ECO may or may not adhere to said request (although operating within the remits of the acts and regulations they have 'extensive' discretionary powers).

3. You can enter the UK at any time within the validity of the HSMP visa - even on the last date..but I dare say your chances of succesful extension are in relation to your date of entry which by default is the time to be economically active.

4. Likewise the EC/visa will show its 'class' i.e HSMP and any conditions attached - 'No Recourse to Public Funds' as well as any other the ECO or IO (by way of endorsment at a PEO) decides to attach.

[Ajay Kumar Singh]

Here you go again
I think we already discussed these issues in past and in much details.

Humm!! You missed my posts
I got 3 months deferred EC stamping from DHC Chennai (Applied in Bangalore). A simple explaination did the magic

And once you get the EC stamping you are free to enter any time as per your wish, provided your VISA Is valid by that date. There are no restrictions whatsoever when you should enter and when you shouldn't.
Correct me if i'm wrong!!!

Don't messup this issue again plz.

[Sher]

Ajay, not just me, there is a "me2" !

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... 5754#15754

[RS]

i still had to clear some doubts abt post dated EC.
If i go for post dated EC- means i have max 6 months to enter UK frm the date of HSMP approval.

Does this mean that the 12 months clock with start clicking from the date i enter UK (provided my post dated EC is exactly the date i wish to enter)

Now the rule is you should not be out of UK for more than 3 months in the initial 12 months of HSMP and total of 6 months for 4 years.
If i do posted dated EC by 3 months , i hope these 3 months would not be counted as out of UK.

may be confusion is sillly, but i have to plan my current job exit and UK entry accordinly.

Can u guys pls clarify.

Rgds
RS

[f2k]

Guys pliz do read all the posts on the forum pertaining to this issue.
anyway here goes,
1 You get letter with HSMP approval dated say 1 Feb 2005, you have 3 months (90 days i believe) to apply for EC.
2. You can apply for EC at the British High commission in your home country on 30 April 2005, at which time you can can request to get you EC dated on the latest possible date, which is a maximum of 3 months (90 days), so in theory you can get EC dated 29 July 2005 to 28 July 2006, remember issueing of post dated EC is at the discretion of the ECO, read Kayalami's post on this,
after that you can enter the UK at ANY date that you wish as long is it is before the expiry of the EC visa. remembering of course the condition that you will have to satisfy for your extension

[Sher]

Righto, except that I feel the EC officer should ordinarily comply with a 'deferred plan of travel' by awarding a post dated EC. (Read the red colored official extract above on this matter)
Practically, in missions where there is high visa issuance, this may be given a miss.