Current Situation - Some Advice

Hello. I wonder if someone might be able to shed some light on my situation.

I am female, 28 (as of Jan 2011) and been in the UK for 9 years studying architecture. I am now a qualified architect as off this month and waited until i was until renewing my visa which runs out in April. However, it now appears i might be in a little predicament.

As i say i have been living here for 9 years, and living with my partner for the past 18 months.

I have a Masters Degree, currently on a Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa and my average earns in the UK have been around 24k.

Anyhow, on filling out the calculators it appears as though i don't qualify.

The problem is that architecture qualifications take a long time to complete and it is only when you qualify that your salary jumps up significantly. As a result my Post Study visa has come to an end and I have to apply for the Tier 1 General but my salary does not allow me to qualify.

It seems light a bit of a nightmare since I have aimed to study, live and work here where my qualification is valid. Many other countries include my own do not recognise a UK architecture qualification as the systems differ. If i cannot stay in the UK after April then I have basically wasted the last 9 years of my life.

Could anyone check this situation and confirm my worst fears?

The only way to be a Tier 1 (General) migrant is to qualify for it. If you don't qualify, bad luck .. personal circumstances irrelevant!

What's the immigration status of your partner?


regards

Partner is a UK citizen by birth.

May I also ask what the guidance is for the income or could you direct me to where i can read it as i am struggling to find out the definition of the income?

Does it have to be UK based salary or can it include foreign salary also? I have a non-exec directorship of my family business in the Philippines which pays me an additional 10k.

Also would it include any freelance work i have been doing in the UK which isn't PAYE but still noted on my self assessment?

Many thanks

Overseas earnings may be included, albeit without applying the uplift / multiplier ratio. Likewise, income from freelance work may be included.
You have only until 05-Apr-11 to apply. Tier 1 (General) scheme will close on 06-Apr-11.

Read the policy guidance carefully. It mentions everything in detail including what documentary evidence(s) you'll need to claim points under different attributes.


With regards to your partner, is marriage an option in the near future or you're still unsure?


regards

northcave wrote:Hello. I wonder if someone might be able to shed some light on my situation.

I am female, 28 (as of Jan 2011) and been in the UK for 9 years studying architecture. I am now a qualified architect as off this month and waited until i was until renewing my visa which runs out in April. However, it now appears i might be in a little predicament.

As i say i have been living here for 9 years, and living with my partner for the past 18 months.

I have a Masters Degree, currently on a Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa and my average earns in the UK have been around 24k.

Anyhow, on filling out the calculators it appears as though i don't qualify.

The problem is that architecture qualifications take a long time to complete and it is only when you qualify that your salary jumps up significantly. As a result my Post Study visa has come to an end and I have to apply for the Tier 1 General but my salary does not allow me to qualify.

It seems light a bit of a nightmare since I have aimed to study, live and work here where my qualification is valid. Many other countries include my own do not recognise a UK architecture qualification as the systems differ. If i cannot stay in the UK after April then I have basically wasted the last 9 years of my life.

Could anyone check this situation and confirm my worst fears?

if u r on psw than show self emplyed income if have any

sushdmehta wrote:Read the policy guidance carefully. It mentions everything in detail including what documentary evidence(s) you'll need to claim points under different attributes.

Thanks. I posted another question here concerning this. Maybe you could help me on it?

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=72621

sushdmehta wrote:With regards to your partner, is marriage an option in the near future or you're still unsure?

Well we are in it for the long run but I am certainly not using a Visa applicant as an excuse to get married or initiate a proposal. That would be against everything I stand for and devalue the concept of a relationship or marriage.

Thanks for the suggestion though as it is a valid point.

northcave wrote:

sushdmehta wrote:With regards to your partner, is marriage an option in the near future or you're still unsure?

Well we are in it for the long run but I am certainly not using a Visa applicant as an excuse to get married or initiate a proposal. That would be against everything I stand for and devalue the concept of a relationship or marriage.

Thanks for the suggestion though as it is a valid point.

If you were 5 or 10 years older your perspective on this (marriage) may be different. You mention leaving the country will ruin your life and you will have wasted 10 years. Maybe you should swallow your pride and give it some more serious thought??

After you have done that, think about it a bit more.