Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

HSMP Extensions ARE now possible!... The long worried wait is finally over!

Thanks to the hard efforts of the HSMP Forum, the result of the Judicial Review on 8/4/08 found it inappropriate to disallow HSMP Visa holders for applying for an extension.

On 10/7/08 the UK Home Office published guidance and relevant application forms to enable HSMP holders to apply for an extension (thereby enabling them to work towards achieving eligibility to apply for Full UK Residency)

It is important to understand that the result of the Judicial Review allows only for applicants who applied for HSMP prior to 7/11/06. If you applied after that date, you will need to apply to change your HSMP visa over to the new "Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa" (for details of Tier 1, please visit www.valuevisas.com).

The Authorities charge a fee for the HSMP extension application of £750.00

You will need to demonstrate that you have been economically active during the last 12 months (we can provide you with a list of the documents needed to show this)

If you have a dependant spouse and/or dependant children, then they can be included in with your application at no extra fee charged by the home Office. (Bear in mind that this relates to children who are under the age of 18.)

By submitting your application to the Home Office before your current HSMP visa expires, you continue to remain in the UK absolutely legally while the Authorities are processing your application for your extension. (Yes, you can carry on working.)

Clients often ask us: "How long does it take the Home Office to process my application?"
It is difficult to tell you exactly how long it will take the Authorities to process your application, but as a guide they have attempted to complete 70% of applications within 4 weeks of submission, and they try not to take any longer than 14 weeks. Consequently, we strongly recommend that you do not make any travel plans to go abroad until such time as your passport has been returned to us.

FULL RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP:

When you have held Highly Skilled Migrant Programme status for 5yrs (or a continuous period of 5yrs made up of HSMP and Work Permit status), then you may apply for "Indefinite Leave to Remain" (commonly known as "Full Residency" or "Permanent Residency" or, "Settlement" - all of these terms mean the same thing.)

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) means that you may stay in the UK without any time restriction. If you spend two years outside of the UK, you will be in danger of losing your ILR status! ILR is granted to you on the understanding that you will be considered as being "present and settled" in the UK. By spending two years outside of the UK, you are likely to be no longer regarded as "present and settled."

The next stage on from Indefinite Leave to Remain, is that of "Naturalisation" - this is the process by which you apply to become British. Simply, you will be eligible to apply for Naturalisation if you meet either the "3yr Rule" or the "5yr Rule."

For more friendly advice about all of these subjects, please contact us. We will be very happy to hear from you.

We look forward to being of further service.

Best regards,

Steve Purdy
MD - Value Visas Ltd