College Failed Me Whats next

[Nyamiti]

I arrived in UK just over a year ago. I submited my passport (and all the neccessarydocumentation) for a student visa to a college, little did i know that it was a 'bogus' college.
Everytime i enquire about my visa application i was told to relax and concerntrate on college work. We closed for Xmas 2004 and told to report for the new term on 24 Jan 2005. And the college was closed by the Home Office!
During the holiday i got a job offer ( iam a qualified Electrical Engineer).
My new employer is willing to get me a work permit. The Home office has confirmed that my passport was mailed to the College, and i have failed to contact the owners of the college. Furthermore, the Home office has told me that they never received bank statements and letter from my sponsor and as a matter of fact i was refused a student visa and i cannot appeal aganist this decision. Currently i am an illegal immigrant. How can i prove to the Home office that i submitted everything to college staff and how can i regain my passport and as a person from a commonwealth country, i can change my visa ststus whilst within the UK; how can i procced with the work permit applicatrion? Please help asap.

[Chess]

Nyamiti,

I am afraid there is no gonna be an easy way roud this one. Try to gather as much information and then make an appointment with an advisor from immigration advisory service:

http://www.iasuk.org/

or UKCOSA

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/pages/advice.htm