A question for all HSMP holders in UK

I have read somewhere that those who are on HSMP in UK for initial 2 years are having problems getting jobs, as the companies are not exactly interested because they consider it as only a 2 year visa and not a path to immigration. On the other hand recruitment agencies are also not of much help. My question is , is there reluctance from the employers in UK to employ someone on HSMP, Please comment??

I had no problems whatsoever...I made it a point that I have the right to work in the UK and described my HSMP status as a 'path to permanent residence'.

I suppose it also depends on the employer. Large, well-established ones may not have any issues with HSMP applicants.

Agreed on the size of the company argument. Also it might have to do with which industry you plan on entering.

I was looking in both specialist finance as well as consulting. I found doors flung open after I got my HSMP (I got no responses when my CV read "HSMP pending"). Even though my plan is to continue working in Sri Lanka till July, I opted to get my EC early (in May), and do a quick job-hunting trip to London. Everything worked out well, and I ended up with 3 offers.

There is also a discussion on this on another read
Suggest you do a search to get the benefits of other people's experience.

My experience - you will find some companies are averse to hiring anyone one with any kind of work visa. Some companies will do it, but want you for a better rate (they are happy to hire you, but want something in return for what they see as a favour to you), and some companies don't care at all and will hire you without considering your visa status.

It's just a numbers game. You may need to work harder than a brit citizen with the same skill set to get a job in the UK.

LondonBlonde

big companies such as Royal Mail has a policy for their graduate programe that you could only be considered candidate if you have 3 year valid leave to remain on your passport. mean initial (2 years) hsmp visa holder are discouraged.

Thanks a lot for your response, I belong to the IT field, how open are the employers for this particular field??

hsmp07 wrote:Thanks a lot for your response, I belong to the IT field, how open are the employers for this particular field??

It's better with IT I think as less Brits are interested in this field. They would all like to be Managers or Directors of IT people, rather than a hands on IT grunt.

I once heard on a brit talk show that IT is considered the most boring of all trades in Brittian. For some reason this work is beneith many people here.

LondonBlonde