Immigrationboards.com - Archive

Sorry if this is a bit long winded, but I am really stressed out at work, and this is my only way out - so please help me.

I just need someone to give me a reality check on whether I should go for HSMP or not (on a work permit at the moment). Here is my situation:

Degree: Bachelors in Computer Science, 106 Credit Hours - Punjab University, Pakistan

Work Experience: 6+ Years on the job experience in IT, experience in multinational companies, Holland/UK. Working as a Lead Analyst Programmer (well, doing project coordination/management/team leading most of the time) at a huge corporate company in UK (for the last 2.5 years). I have always been a permie with companies, and most of my experience is within banks and other finance companies.

Spouse has a Bachelors in Science from Punjab University.

My salary is nearly £43K, but my overall compensation/benefit package amounts to £58K (including holidays, overtime, non-contributary pension, shares etc). Well you might be wondering why the heck I am thinking of moving then... Well, All I can say is that being in a corporate company is the

WORST place in this day and age,
When outsourcing is all the rage

(Ahhh, my maiden poetry)

So, my main questions to all you peeps out there are:

1. Should I go for the '5 years work experience in a graduate level job including senior or specialist level work experience for two years' option or the regular 5 year one ?

2. My biggest concern is about my foreign academic qualifications. Do I really need to get a certification from NARIC (as indicated in the HSMP guidelines document - even though it's cryptic as I think the people at Home office will refer to the NARIC database for the qualification comparision ???)? I have heard that NARIC's ways are a bit heavy handed, and they don't think much of the oversees academic qualifications. So, basically, do I really need to get my degree (and my Spouse's degree) assessed by NARIC (and pay £50 fee for both of them) ? The Irony of it all is that Home Office themselves approved my workpermit ages ago, based on the same academic qualifications. And furthermore, I was on the same (43K) salary when I was 26 (well, I was moved to Reading, and they took my London Allowance away), but they HAD to make the under 28 years ammendment AFTER I turned 28 this year.

I would really, really appreciate if someone could answer these queries.

Many thanks,
Cheers!

I can confirm to you that the HSMP team are a very good and understanding one. Try and give them a call and put your queries to them.

Regarding your qualification, you are right since you have been approved for work-permit before, there shouldnt be any problem highlting this point in your application.
Dont waste your money with any third party organisation, they just take your money and say tahk you. The proof you need is your previous WP approval. Be Confident!

Mind you I didnt have your type of problem, I can only advice that you call them direct. They are more up-front than croydon.

Wish all the Luck.

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We live in a shrinking world. Eventually Immigration becomes irrelevant issue.

Thanks a lot for replying - and giving me the confidence to go ahead. When you say I should talk to the HSMP team directly, do you mean the Home Office HSMP team or the WorkPermit.com HSMP team ?

I thought the HSMP Customer Services office was in Sheffield ? And we have to submit the document pack to Doncaster ?

Also, how long does it take for the HSMP to be processed (I have a holiday booked on the 18th of December) so do you think its risky sending my passport to the Home Office (as it might not be back in time). Does one still need to send passports if they are already in UK ?

cheers

BTW Zimbo, the WP qualifications do not necessarily require a degree; they could be satisfied by work experience instead. So having a WP approved does not necessarily mean that the degree was acceptable and used by WP(UK) as a qualification. HSMP will look at the degree more closely than WP(UK).

Neo_X, your'e right: the HSMP team is in Sheffield but you post the application to Doncaster.

It generally (when there are no problems) takes about a week for approval and stamping of passports, which you need to send in. It is probably too close to your trip for comfort.

Joseph