I believe that you can apply for both at the same time, as the IGS is an application for further leave, the HSMP is only an immigration employment document which has no effect on your visa status.
I assume that you went home to apply for the WHM, as they cannot be applied for from within the UK. So you definitely have a gap in 2003, and would not be eligible for ILR until 2013 at the earliest.
Sorry to jump in this thread. I am on a work permit. I wanted to know what if my employer wants to change my job title as I am doing all that was in my job spec for my original post but additional responsibilities inc. management as well and give a pay rise. Can they do that or will they have to go...
The solicitor is right. Look at the the rules carefully and you will see that, in order to switch, you must have graduated from a UK university in your current period of leave. So, if you graduated and then got a new student visa for a new course, and haven't completed that course, then you can't sw...
Is the 14 year rule still going to apply, whent he changes to the general grounds of refusal will also apply to in-country applications for leave to remain?