ESC

Click the "allow" button if you want to receive important news and updates from immigrationboards.com


Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Welcome to immigrationboards.com!

Login Register Do not show

E-Petition To No 10 - TIER 1 Extension

Archived UK Tier 1 (General) points system forum. This route no longer exists.

Moderators: Casa, push, JAJ, ca.funke, Amber, zimba, vinny, Obie, EUsmileWEallsmile, batleykhan, meself2, geriatrix, John, ChetanOjha, archigabe, Administrator

Locked
cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 3:36 pm

I prefer this version. Credit for it goes to MJNair, I simply corrected some small mistakes and edited it a bit.

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions have already been acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

The HSMP/Tier-1 (General) scheme was promoted as a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants. Trusting this and an expectation of fair treatment from the UK Government, we uprooted our families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make the UK our main home.

In the absence of clarity and detail in the announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your office to issue us with confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP Visa holders will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

LuckyJ
Newly Registered
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 6:44 pm

Post by LuckyJ » Sun Nov 28, 2010 3:59 pm

Hi MICKS and All,

I realize this is a collective effort and because we are trying to represent an entire group, we should think on how we are planning to get the final version approved, it is clear that we won’t be able to have every single person to agree on the entire text, so I think it would be sensible to setup an online survey at some point (in a couple of days?) so we can all vote.

In the meantime, I have numbered the paragraphs so that it’s easier to refer to them during the review process (see below):

In general, as previously mentioned I think it’s a superb initiative and there are several good ideas in the text, however, I have few observations to make:

In general, I think we should try to stick to the legal side of things, at least for now, rather than to talk about human/emotional impact of these (potential) measures on our lives; that is something we can use at a later stage if necessary.

Now more specifically, referring to the paragraph numbers:

1. Good.
2. I’m not convinced this paragraph is necessary but especially I would delete this sentence, it’s very emotional and politically charged, I think it could backfire!: “sacrifices of existing Tier 1 holders must not be taken casually and we must not be used as scapegoats for political gains.â€

sojan
Member
Posts: 238
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:18 pm

Post by sojan » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:02 pm

i've modified the one from MICKS
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned are writing to express our views and concerns about closure of Tier1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier 1 Visa holders who are already onshore in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

From the recent speech by the home secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 general route from April 2011. But we would like to draw your attention towards the existing Tier 1 holders who are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off National Health Services (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have sacrificed our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with those minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and sacrifices that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the British government. We are committed for keep making positive contributions towards making a better future for Britain. We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier 1 Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK
------------------------------------------------------------

rakeysh.patel
Diamond Member
Posts: 1175
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Post by rakeysh.patel » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:10 pm

Okay, first of all thanks for your valued input. I agree with your comments regarding re-phrasing "Sacrifices" sentence (Which I will do soon). I believe political gains are fine to there. With regards to "Confirmation"....., we have covered it in our last paragraph ("We would therefore request that existing legitimate Tier 1 (G) Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the UK in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us") in right manner.

I thought of keeping it short as well but than it doesn't cover all our points we trying to get across.

Thanks,
R
push wrote:"Suggestion": Take the reference to "Sacrifices made" out from the text or reword it. No one has made any sacrifices to come and do any good to UK as a matter of charity. It was a choice that everyone made (If some one was blunt he would say that you moved to greener pastures). It may however be argued that you had "legitimate expectations" of being treated under extension and settlement criteria that would be consistent with those prevalent at the time of grant of original leave.

If you really want to make a point about the costs that you have had to bear then saying something like - Trusting a fair treatment by the UK Government, you uprooted your families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to "make UK your main home" as envisaged under the HSMP/Tier-1 (general) scheme -would seem more appropriate.

The text as currently drafted, sounds a bit pleading in nature in some places, presupposes that some changes to the Extension criteria are imminent. Additionally, you seemed to be suggesting that the latest changes have been introduced to gain political mileage - Are you tying to question the intent of the Conservative Party/ Government?

As suggested by some, the idea should be just to seek "Confirmation" that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) VISA holders "continue to remain" the same and not sound as if you are expecting the same to be changed.

But then it is just a suggestion and you guys are the best judge of what is suitable.

dixey
Newly Registered
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:41 am

hi

Post by dixey » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:25 pm

Please omit legitimate tier1 general visa holders and keep it to existing tier 1 general visa holders because previous one suggests that what april 2011 settlement changes regarding points test before settlement are fine for existing tier 1 visa holders.

rakeysh.patel
Diamond Member
Posts: 1175
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Re: hi

Post by rakeysh.patel » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:30 pm

Done - well spotted :)
dixey wrote:Please omit legitimate tier1 general visa holders and keep it to existing tier 1 general visa holders because previous one suggests that what april 2011 settlement changes regarding points test before settlement are fine for existing tier 1 visa holders.

MICKS
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:27 am
Location: LONDON

Post by MICKS » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:51 pm

sojan wrote:i've modified the one from MICKS
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned are writing to express our views and concerns about closure of Tier1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier 1 Visa holders who are already onshore in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders as we are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

From the recent speech by the home secretary, that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 general route from April 2011. But we would like to draw your attention towards the existing Tier 1 holders who are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions in economical and technological terms are already acknowledged by the MAC, local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off National Health Services (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have relinquished our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with those minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the British government. We are committed for keep making positive contributions towards making a better future for Britain. We would therefore request that existing Tier 1 Visa holders should be allowed to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in consistence with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK
------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the effort Sojan, note that I have removed the word sacrifice as per feedback from our friends here.

Also thanks for keeping the points that portray the "Ground Reality" of the situation....

cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:22 pm

There are still major grammatical errors in the proposed petition text.

MICKS
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:27 am
Location: LONDON

Post by MICKS » Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:36 pm

cuberoot wrote:There are still major grammatical errors in the proposed petition text.
Thanks for pointing that out. please indicate what needs to be changed and we are happy to alter them for you. Cheers.....

MICKS
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:27 am
Location: LONDON

Post by MICKS » Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:39 pm

For those who haven't yet, don't forget to join us on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SAVE-TIER ... =wall//url

cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:41 pm

First series of edits below:

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier 1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders who are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 (General) route from April 2011. However, we believe that existing Tier 1 holders are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions to the UK are already acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have relinquished our old lives in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, are employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier 1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with this minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority because of the bad fortune of a small minority is not fair. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we could not have met the entry criteria to the UK without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of the Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly. Clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In the absence of a clear announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all of our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the UK government. We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing Tier 1 Visa holders be granted permission to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in line with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position on this matter to us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK
Last edited by cuberoot on Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:00 pm, edited 5 times in total.

sojan
Member
Posts: 238
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:18 pm

Post by sojan » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:44 pm

cheers cuberoot and MICKS..
As mentioned, i've combined few paragraphs and made it crisp .. I felt by using the words "but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with those minority" , this will give us added value of staying in the same criteria, while people who don't pay tax nor have proper salary will find it hard to extend..

We will make this better with the efforst from all our friends.. keep it up.. 8)
It would impress the coalition to use the words "tough but fair" :) as they use it very frequently 8)

MICKS
Junior Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:27 am
Location: LONDON

Post by MICKS » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:58 pm

cuberoot wrote:First series of edits below:

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier 1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders who are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 (General) route from April 2011. However, we believe that existing Tier 1 holders are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions to the UK are already acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have relinquished our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with this minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to UK without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the UK government. We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing Tier 1 Visa holders be granted permission to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in line with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK

Spot on ! thanks everyone for getting us so far, I THINK WE ARE READY!! Should we lock this one as the final version ??

rakeysh.patel
Diamond Member
Posts: 1175
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Post by rakeysh.patel » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:00 pm

I do not see much grammatical changes in post by cuberoot. I think the earlier version is better. I say we stop correcting it now and crack on it on spreading awareness about all we intend to do. Anyone with any ideas of how we can take this to media?

cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:01 pm

Not yet. There are still a few mistakes to tidy up.

dixey
Newly Registered
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:41 am

just a word addition

Post by dixey » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:03 pm

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier 1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders who are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 (General) route from April 2011. However, we believe that existing Tier 1 holders are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions to the UK are already acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have relinquished our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with those minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority for the bad fortune of the minority that have not been able to establish a career here is not justice. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we couldn't have met the entry criteria to U.K. without proving this with verifiable evidence). We have indeed taken considerable risks by placing our fate in the hands of Home Office with a belief that we will be valued and treated fairly, clearly the expectation was that we will be offered a route to settlement just like it was given to all others before us.

In absence of a positive announcement there is feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have gone astray if deterrents get place on the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the UK government. We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing Tier 1 Visa holders be granted permission to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in line with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK

MJNair
Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:38 pm

Post by MJNair » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:15 pm

I still stand by my opinion that the petition has to be short and to the point and not emotionally charged.

We have to keep in mind the audience for the petition are the politically motivated people in the govt. If we get media attention too, any statement that we make here may be misinterpreted and projected in a negative sense and may go against our cause.
From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with this minority.
I do not think that we have to give any explanation for those not doing highly skilled jobs.... 'and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families..' The remaining statement here already conveys what we have to convey.

Also, at this point I do not think that we should use words like 'punishing', 'bad fortune', 'fate in the hands of the Home Office'.

If we give too much stress to the point that we had 'flourishing careers' back in our home country, it may backfire.
Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.
I am not sure that we need this statement here at all. If you still think it should be here, then I suggest we tone it down.

Once again, the audience for the petition is the folks in Number 10.

Could we please have a volunteer to help us with the English grammar for the petition?

cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:16 pm

My final edit:

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier 1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier 1 visa holders who are seriously concerned about any upcoming changes for those already in the UK.

It is clear from the recent speech by the Home Secretary that the Home Office is determined to fully reform the existing immigration system and a key part of this change is to completely abolish the Tier 1 (General) route from April 2011. However, we believe that existing Tier 1 holders are well educated, highly skilled economic migrants who have always remained on the right side of the law. Our positive contributions to the UK are already acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including that off the National Health Service (NHS).

We would like to highlight to the Home Office that most of us have relinquished our old life in our native countries by leaving our homes, our families, our friends and our jobs and have moved to the United Kingdom with the intention of making it our new home. Many of us have dependants with us, have taken mortgages, employed in legitimate jobs, made new friends, send children to school etc. From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with this minority. We believe that punishing the vast majority for the bad fortune of a small minority is not justice. Also, please note that all of us had flourishing careers back in our native countries (as we could not have met the entry criteria to the UK without proving this with verifiable evidence). The Tier 1 (General) route was promoted as a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants. We trusted this and had an expectation of fair treatment from the UK Government.

In the absence of a clear announcement there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us with a perception that all our efforts may have been in vain if deterrents are placed in the path of Tier 1 extensions and settlement for existing visa holders. Believing in values of fairness and justice, which the UK has promised and practised, we request for an unambiguous assurance that no changes will be made to the extension and settlement criteria for existing Tier1 (General) migrants. Any deterrent to extension and settlement would be a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.

And above all, we are thankful for the opportunity granted to us by the UK government. We are committed to continue making positive contributions towards a better future for the UK. We would therefore request that existing Tier 1 Visa holders be granted permission to extend their stay and settle in the United Kingdom in line with the existing rules. We believe that you will understand and acknowledge our sensitive situation and reciprocate it with a statement clarifying your position about us.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 Visa Holders currently in UK


There is still more that could be cleaned up though.

MJNair
Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:38 pm

Post by MJNair » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:20 pm

raxs1983 wrote:I do not see much grammatical changes in post by cuberoot. I think the earlier version is better. I say we stop correcting it now and crack on it on spreading awareness about all we intend to do. Anyone with any ideas of how we can take this to media?
Let us not take a half finished petition to Number 10 in a hurry.
If this is the single joint petition from all Tier 1 holders in the UK, let us please put in all efforts we can to make it as best as it can be.

cuberoot
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:50 pm

Post by cuberoot » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:21 pm

I agree with you MJNair. I prefer the blue version quoted below and it is ready to be sent to Number 10 in my opinion.

However, it seems that the owners of the Facebook group prefer the red version. I've helped tidy up the red version, and it is slowly taking shape.
cuberoot wrote:I prefer this version. Credit for it goes to MJNair, I simply corrected some small mistakes and edited it a bit.

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions have already been acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

The HSMP/Tier-1 (General) scheme was promoted as a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants. Trusting this and an expectation of fair treatment from the UK Government, we uprooted our families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make the UK our main home.

In the absence of clarity and detail in the announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your office to issue us with confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP Visa holders will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

rakeysh.patel
Diamond Member
Posts: 1175
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Post by rakeysh.patel » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:22 pm

I accept, sorry i was on my b'berry and didn't see much difference in 2 versions. I think final edit from cuberoot looks far better then some others posted here.

MJNair wrote:
raxs1983 wrote:I do not see much grammatical changes in post by cuberoot. I think the earlier version is better. I say we stop correcting it now and crack on it on spreading awareness about all we intend to do. Anyone with any ideas of how we can take this to media?
Let us not take a half finished petition to Number 10 in a hurry.
If this is the single joint petition from all Tier 1 holders in the UK, let us please put in all efforts we can to make it as best as it can be.

dixey
Newly Registered
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:41 am

difference between parliament speech and ukba website

Post by dixey » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:28 pm

Hi all

I have followed full speech of Theresa may and her reply to questions raised by MPs. To a labour MP's question about earning right to settlement- May replied that initial changes would be looking at criminality threshold, looking at salary level for those who are sponsoring a dependent for settlement and english language requirements. But the information published on UKBA website is quite different with regards to points test for settlement which wasn't mentioned in her speech to parliament.

My question is can we ask her which one is true and if the latter is true than she has held back from parliament.

Thanks

MJNair
Member
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:38 pm

Post by MJNair » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:30 pm

cuberoot wrote:I agree with you MJNair. I prefer the blue version quoted below and it is ready to be sent to Number 10 in my opinion.

However, it seems that the owners of the Facebook group prefer the red version. I've helped tidy up the red version, and it is slowly taking shape.
cuberoot wrote:I prefer this version. Credit for it goes to MJNair, I simply corrected some small mistakes and edited it a bit.

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions have already been acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

The HSMP/Tier-1 (General) scheme was promoted as a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants. Trusting this and an expectation of fair treatment from the UK Government, we uprooted our families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make the UK our main home.

In the absence of clarity and detail in the announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your office to issue us with confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP Visa holders will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK
If most people want the red version, at least can we please note use words like 'punishing', 'bad fortune', 'fate in the hands of the Home Office', and 'flourishing careers'.

Also, please understand that the audience is folks in Number 10 and not ourselves. It should make sense to them.

Again, we need to get the English corrected.

rakeysh.patel
Diamond Member
Posts: 1175
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:07 pm
Location: Basildon, Essex

Post by rakeysh.patel » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:30 pm

@Cuberoot - I manage the version on FB page. I need help admin that, you mind?

Also, your version is short enough to be put through. Last petition was short and did not seem to have convey the message to govt and in response they were blunt. SEE HERE

I think your final edit is good to go :) xxx
cuberoot wrote:I agree with you MJNair. I prefer the blue version quoted below and it is ready to be sent to Number 10 in my opinion.

However, it seems that the owners of the Facebook group prefer the red version. I've helped tidy up the red version, and it is slowly taking shape.
cuberoot wrote:I prefer this version. Credit for it goes to MJNair, I simply corrected some small mistakes and edited it a bit.

Dear Home Secretary,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our views and concerns about the closure of the Tier-1 (General) route and the lack of information about its impact on existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders who are already in the United Kingdom. This petition is a collective appeal from existing Tier-1 (General) visa holders requesting confirmation that no retrospective changes will be applied to those already here in the UK.

We are well educated and highly skilled economic migrants who came into this country through the legitimate HSMP/Tier 1 route. Our positive contributions have already been acknowledged by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), local businesses, think-tanks, Universities and various other public bodies including the National Health Service (NHS).

The HSMP/Tier-1 (General) scheme was promoted as a route to settlement for highly skilled migrants. Trusting this and an expectation of fair treatment from the UK Government, we uprooted our families, left well established businesses, promising careers back home and agreed to make the UK our main home.

In the absence of clarity and detail in the announcement, there is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty amongst us. We therefore request your office to issue us with confirmation that the extension and settlement criteria for Tier-1 (General) and HSMP Visa holders will continue to remain the same.

Respectfully,
Tier 1 (General) Visa Holders currently in UK

LuckyJ
Newly Registered
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 6:44 pm

Post by LuckyJ » Sun Nov 28, 2010 7:56 pm

MJNair wrote:I still stand by my opinion that the petition has to be short and to the point and not emotionally charged.

We have to keep in mind the audience for the petition are the politically motivated people in the govt. If we get media attention too, any statement that we make here may be misinterpreted and projected in a negative sense and may go against our cause.
From your speech, it was noted that there is a minority of Tier 1 arrivals that have failed to find skilled work during this recession and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families, but we believe the existing Tier1 extension criteria will be efficient in dealing with this minority.
I do not think that we have to give any explanation for those not doing highly skilled jobs.... 'and may have been forced to do odd jobs to support their families..' The remaining statement here already conveys what we have to convey.

Also, at this point I do not think that we should use words like 'punishing', 'bad fortune', 'fate in the hands of the Home Office'.

If we give too much stress to the point that we had 'flourishing careers' back in our home country, it may backfire.
Any deterrent to extension and settlement would mean a confirmation that the UK has indeed undermined the legitimacy, importance, positive contributions and efforts that we have made so far. Thus, being pushed back to the proverbial square-one, we would then have to start an emotional, stressful and a risky process of rebuilding our lives elsewhere.
I am not sure that we need this statement here at all. If you still think it should be here, then I suggest we tone it down.

Once again, the audience for the petition is the folks in Number 10.

Could we please have a volunteer to help us with the English grammar for the petition?
I agree with NJNair, I still find the text very emotionally charged.

Also we should not rush the petition, it could really backfire if we give priority to speed over a sound text.

Finally, I think it would be fair to have a vote, regarding when we think the text is ready and on what version we are going to use.

Locked
cron