Changes Very soon in Tier 1

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/tele ... uture.html

"The Home Secretary also says she is considering banning migrants' families from coming to Britain, although how she could do so is unclear: the right to family reunion is one of the most fundamental in Labour's Human Rights Act, and any legislation which abrogated it would be struck down by the courts."

I am afraid itz gonna be long battle...

bonvivz wrote:thanks confusedhsmp.

I was wondering if we can all appeal in a uniform way, would it advisable to have a template for every1 who would like to appeal both HO and the parliament?

Lets see how the situation develops over this week.

We may have to create our own website and guide others on how to bargain collectively in future and register member.

Just in case, is there any IT expert in similar position who can help us out in our web requirements should we need in future? Please Private Message me.

confusedhsmp wrote:Read this report below especially Page 3 (of report not SUN!) and paragraph 52-56.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 73/173.pdf

Thanks PAK UK for your support. We have to put a stop to this inhumane act by Home Office and need more people like you………………

Very interesting, thanks Confused HSMP for letting us know about this document. I suggest we should also create a nice online petition on number10.gov.uk website asking government not to change rules for resident immigrants. How many are we here in the UK may be more than 100000, if even half of us sign a petition, UK government will consider our concern before amending immigration rules for us.

On the contrary here someone has created a petition stating that “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to .Stop all immigration into Britain for the next 5 years so the economy can get back on its feetâ€

Hello Friends,

We all are horrified at the unwarranted and unfair changes to the HSMP. But we are living in a democratic country and we should raise our voice where it is heard. We need to write to our MP's and councillors.

Please visit www.writetothem.com, use it to write to your local MP's and this will hopefully make the lawmakers more aware of the trouble facing us.

Spread the word in the media as well. The power of information is tremendous. I am already in the process of creating a petition on www.number10.gov.uk.

I will post the link for you to support when it gets approved.


Encl: Message which I have sent to my local MP.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF:

****** local MP


Sunday 22 February 2009

Dear ************,

I am a resident of <town name>, and I have been in the UK for *** years as a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSMP). As you would be aware we HSMP Holders have made enormous contributions to the economy of the UK. We work very hard, pay our taxes and do not depend on doles/benefits.

As the MP representing my area, I want to bring to your urgent attention my apprehension at the changes announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith with regard to Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrants / HSMP Visa Holders. She has proposed raising points required under the Points Based Immigration System, increasing the level of qualification from Bachelors to Masters and increasing the salary levels to a minimum of GBP 20000. This is in addition to the increase being proposed in the time limit for indefinite leave to remain from five years. The impact of banning the dependents of immigrants from working will hit us very badly, as the cost of living in this country is very high. Many of us have already taken mortgages etc and intend to make the UK our permanent home.


The principles of justice and equality demand that the human rights of us immigrants are respected. Changing the rules of the game in between amounts to unfair play and cheating. The changes proposed are horrendous. We are being treated like slaves, whose fate is contingent upon the whims of the government which changes immigration policy once every few months. There is absolutely no consistency.

I request you to kindly raise these issues with urgency and ensure that receive justified treatment.

The rules should not be changed for people who are already in the UK. True, the government can change the rules of the PBS to control the numbers of immigrants who plan to come in future. But changing the rules for existing immigrants who left well established careers back home to work here and made UK their home is unjust and against all rules of fairness.

I hope the Labour party in general and those in power in particular will take a logical and compassionate view of this and exert their influence to ensure the new changes are fair.
We have served this country, worked legally, paid taxes, N.I without any liability for the state in terms of benefits. It is time that the country is fair to us.

Yours sincerely,

*************
_________________
Rohit the Purohit -- HSMP Qualified Banker

rkrohela wrote:
Many of us have already taken mortgages etc and intend to make the UK our permanent home.
....

The rules should not be changed for people who are already in the UK. True, the government can change the rules of the PBS to control the numbers of immigrants who plan to come in future. But changing the rules for existing immigrants who left well established careers back home to work here and made UK their home is unjust and against all rules of fairness.

Very valid argument indeed. Many have taken mortgages and face tough times. Many have lost thousands of pounds due to housing slump. Selling the home, even with lower price, in the current market is very difficult. So leaving UK also is very difficult for some migrants.

alokchamp_f1 wrote:Hi All,

I have already got my tier 1 visa this jan and im planning to travel on 2nd march, is this going to effect my visa will i have to reapply since i only hold a bachelors degree, can u guys please suggest on this

thanks,
alok

How can it affect you if you have already got the visa???

hsmp28122006 wrote:

alokchamp_f1 wrote:Hi All,

I have already got my tier 1 visa this jan and im planning to travel on 2nd march, is this going to effect my visa will i have to reapply since i only hold a bachelors degree, can u guys please suggest on this

thanks,
alok

How can it affect you if you have already got the visa???

This may affect, if at all, only when you apply for extension.

rkrohela wrote:Hello Friends,

We all are horrified at the unwarranted and unfair changes to the HSMP. But we are living in a democratic country and we should raise our voice where it is heard. We need to write to our MP's and councillors………

Thanks rkrohela, I look forward seeing your petition, please don’t forget to put human rights side in it. Cheers

Thanks rkrohela,

E-mail sent to MP via

http://www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/

Please everyone find MP related to your area on above link and write your concerns.

Regards,
Tipu

****** local MP


Sunday 22 February 2009

Dear ************,

I am a resident of <town name>, and I have been in the UK for *** years as a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSMP). As you would be aware we HSMP Holders have made enormous contributions to the economy of the UK. We work very hard, pay our taxes and do not depend on doles/benefits.

As the MP representing my area, I want to bring to your urgent attention my apprehension at the changes announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith with regard to Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrants / HSMP Visa Holders. She has proposed raising points required under the Points Based Immigration System, increasing the level of qualification from Bachelors to Masters and increasing the salary levels to a minimum of GBP 20000. This is in addition to the increase being proposed in the time limit for indefinite leave to remain from five years. Further the impact of banning the dependents of immigrants from working will hit us very badly, as the cost of living in UK is relatively high. Many of us have already taken mortgages etc and already declared to make UK our permanent main home.

The principles of justice and equality demand that the human rights of us immigrants are respected. Changing the rules of the game in between amounts to unfair play and cheating. The changes proposed are horrendous. We are being treated like slaves, whose fate is contingent upon the whims of the government which changes immigration policy once every few months. There is absolutely no consistency in immigration policy where bars are raised retrospectively.

This policy of government equates to modern form of slavery where on one hand migrants are invited to work but then thrown out in times of crisis. These new bars should only be applied prospectively so as to be fair as already observed by Joint Committee on Human rights in their report of July 2007.

I request you to kindly raise these issues with urgency and ensure that receive justified treatment.

The rules should not be changed for people who are already in the UK. True, the government can change the rules of the PBS to control the numbers of immigrants who plan to come in future. But changing the rules for existing immigrants who left well established careers back home to work here and made UK their home is unjust and against all rules of fairness.

I hope the Labour party in general and those in power in particular will take a logical and compassionate view of this and exert their influence to ensure the new changes are fair.

We have served this country, worked legally, paid taxes, N.I without any liability for the state in terms of benefits. It is time that the country is fair to us.

I hope that you will raise my concern directly with the Home Secretary.

I urgently await hearing from you on this and thank you for your kind consideration.

Yours sincerely,

*************

I have amended the letter slightly. Please feel free to use any version though.

Thank you rkrohela

Letter sent to my local MP (Islington).. these changes are very unfair, and will affect the majority of HSMP holders. Hopefully if enough of us raise the issue through the correct channels we will get heard.

Email sent to my MP in Walthamstow and a letter to PM Gordon Brown going out tomorrow.

Need more people doing the same.

Email sent to Maria Miller (conservative MP) with necessary amendments.

confusedhsmp wrote:

****** local MP


Sunday 22 February 2009

Dear ************,

I am a resident of <town name>, and I have been in the UK for *** years as a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSMP). As you would be aware we HSMP Holders have made enormous contributions to the economy of the UK. We work very hard, pay our taxes and do not depend on doles/benefits.

As the MP representing my area, I want to bring to your urgent attention my apprehension at the changes announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith with regard to Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrants / HSMP Visa Holders. She has proposed raising points required under the Points Based Immigration System, increasing the level of qualification from Bachelors to Masters and increasing the salary levels to a minimum of GBP 20000. This is in addition to the increase being proposed in the time limit for indefinite leave to remain from five years. Further the impact of banning the dependents of immigrants from working will hit us very badly, as the cost of living in UK is relatively high. Many of us have already taken mortgages etc and already declared to make UK our permanent main home.

The principles of justice and equality demand that the human rights of us immigrants are respected. Changing the rules of the game in between amounts to unfair play and cheating. The changes proposed are horrendous. We are being treated like slaves, whose fate is contingent upon the whims of the government which changes immigration policy once every few months. There is absolutely no consistency in immigration policy where bars are raised retrospectively.

This policy of government equates to modern form of slavery where on one hand migrants are invited to work but then thrown out in times of crisis. These new bars should only be applied prospectively so as to be fair as already observed by Joint Committee on Human rights in their report of July 2007.

I request you to kindly raise these issues with urgency and ensure that receive justified treatment.

The rules should not be changed for people who are already in the UK. True, the government can change the rules of the PBS to control the numbers of immigrants who plan to come in future. But changing the rules for existing immigrants who left well established careers back home to work here and made UK their home is unjust and against all rules of fairness.

I hope the Labour party in general and those in power in particular will take a logical and compassionate view of this and exert their influence to ensure the new changes are fair.

We have served this country, worked legally, paid taxes, N.I without any liability for the state in terms of benefits. It is time that the country is fair to us.

I hope that you will raise my concern directly with the Home Secretary.

I urgently await hearing from you on this and thank you for your kind consideration.

Yours sincerely,

*************

I have amended the letter slightly. Please feel free to use any version though.

Thank you rkrohela

Thanks Guys for drafting this letter.

I would urge everyone to include little bit history about how you left your home giving up careers well paid jobs, relatives/friends/families , etc.

Also include hows your wife and kid would suffer if they are forced to quit
like that.

Last time i sent email to my MP , he called me and said i got tens of same emails but he was more concerned about how it will affect me in terms of my family etc

thanks

Well I would also be affected if the changes (Masters degree, 20k salary, dependents not allowed to work, etc.) are applied retrospectively.

My inner feeling is that the changes would not be retrospective, because if applied retrospectively, from the people who are applying for extension:
- 25-50% of people would be ineligible to apply because they DO NOT have a masters degree.
- 25-50% of people would be incapable/uninterested in staying here because their spouse is not allowed to work (pure speculation on my part about "spouse not being able to work" rule).

And above 2 points are enough to create an uproar in the existing migrant community. So unless the govt. people are out of their mind (which they often are), they would not think about applying the changes retrospectively.

Even if the changes are not retrospective, the Minister plans to make immigrants stay harder in the country. The news says:

The 10 milestones in the UK Border Agency delivery plan are:
....
* April - start charging migrants to create a multimillion pound fund to reduce the impacts of migration on local services;
....

These changes and the attitude of UK govt seriously harms its reputation as an meritocratic and immigrant welcoming country.

CoolestGuyC wrote:Even if the changes are not retrospective, the Minister plans to make immigrants stay harder in the country.

Let us hope the changes are not retrospective. Already the situation in the country is very tough for migrants due to deep recession.

Email sent to MP, milton keynes with amendments with personal details

h19 wrote:

confusedhsmp wrote:

****** local MP

Sunday 22 February 2009

Dear ************,

As the MP representing my area, I want to bring to your urgent attention my apprehension at the changes announced by the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith with regard to Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrants / HSMP Visa Holders. She has proposed raising points required under the Points Based Immigration System, increasing the level of qualification from Bachelors to Masters and increasing the salary levels to a minimum of GBP 20000. This is in addition to the increase being proposed in the time limit for indefinite leave to remain from five years. Further the impact of banning the dependents of immigrants from working will hit us very badly, as the cost of living in UK is relatively high. Many of us have already taken mortgages etc and already declared to make UK our permanent main home………

Please note that proposed plans of Master degree etc are only for immigrants entering into the country not for residents.

Please note that proposed plans of Master degree etc are only for immigrants entering into the country not for residents.

We cannot be certain about it PakUK. The Home Office has a bad history of applying rules retrospectively to residents as well as new entrants.

HSMP FORUM JR included some of the most highly skilled migrants who came as doctors/lawyers etc and Home Office didn't care about them even though their strength was around 50,000 + despite they not having the disclaimer about future rule changes.

In our application we signed the declaration that we would be abiding by any new future extension rules. So why would the Home Office care about us logically?

Its only when the rule comes out you get a shock!

I hope our future bonds/funds to Home Office are not used to pay Jacqui Smith's Housing Allowance.

Just on another note, if you are in Scotland or Wales you should write to your representatives for the Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly as well. They may not have as much sway as the MPs but they still have plenty to say. Scotland in particular has been trying to get people to immigrate and take on skilled jobs for years and this is exactly the sort of policy that would go against what the SNP (and probably a few other parties in Scotland) stand for.

I am personally not effected by the changes, but I am well aware that more changes could be made that might effect me. So I'm in! I will write to my MP, MSP, the PM and the First Minister.

The problem is that these changes, especially ones so drastic (that could effect the majority of people on Tier 1 visas) should not be allowed to affect people who already reside in the UK. I am single and originally came over here as a student. When I was going through my swap over to Tier 1 I couldn't even comprehend moving back home after almost 5 years... I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like with a family involved or after leaving a great career and life in my home country.

End of the day I could almost understand raising the bar to 80 points but excluding bachelors and people who earned less than £20k and making it retroactive is ridiculous.

Hi Freinds,

Sending emails to local MP to hear our voice is a good idea.

I have sent the email as well!

MP: Dr Doug Naysmith
Location: Northwest Bristol

Hi,

I and my wife got tier-1 visa starting from 20th March. I have bachelor degree and I am planning to go to UK in last week of April.

Will I be affected by new degree rule?
Will my wife be allowed to enter in UK? If yes, then will she be allowed to work in UK?

Please give me urgent reply. I am getting tensed as I have put my papers in the current company.

Thanks,
Puruwannafly

How this 20000 pounds will be calculated? what will be the actual Indian Salary in order to equal this? and pls let me know how do they calculate?

CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT WITH A EXAMPLE /SALARY STRUCTURE

tvn_ramesh wrote:
The qualification and minimum salary levels for Indian and non-EU professionals will be raised to masters degree and 20,000 pounds from the current requirement of undergraduate degree and 17,000 pounds.

Those having visa should be allowed to enter UK. So far HO hasn't barred dependent from work. Its yet not clear how extension will be applied for those who are already on Tier1 in UK and have graduate degree.

I'm not sure, if this applies people, who already are in UK?

Because in her statement Ms Smith clearly said, "who want to enter UK".

Plus, it's not easy to apply this rule to existing T1/HSMP holders, as it already backfired them once. And imagine trouble employers will face to replace and train thier employee.