Am I up the creek without a paddle?

[rob]

41 yo male from SA. Ex IT and training (many years).

Been in UK for 14 months, completing MBA. Student VISA till May, then 6 months Tourist VISA. Course finishes in May. Have relationship with UK citizen and would hate to leave - kids and all. Marriage not a "cheat" option. Course overrun by 3 months - due to course management. Did not know this when I signed on and paid. In a sticky situation now.

Want to apply for HSMP, BUT:

- Dissertation only due in May, and exam board in July and... (above-average scores so far)
- Heard application can be made on STUDENT visa under HSMP and MBA.
- University of Hull not on "preferred" list - what [..........]! - language pls..edited by Kayalami

Running out of time....and jobs are not covering expenses anymore - any help out there?

Thanks. I'll take any legal, UK/European option to remain in the area in a survival capacity till papers can be sorted - thank you kindly

[John]

Rob, what does :-

Marriage not a "cheat" option

-: mean? That marriage is possible/desirable? Or is not an option, at least at this time?

Also, you have a current student visa? Now the course has been extended? Why not apply for a renewal/extension of the current student visa?

[rob]

Hi John and Kyalami

Thank you for the response. Sorry about the b[language] thing Kyalami.

John, I cannot marry a lass just to remain in the country. That is a "cheat" option. All right, all right, she does not want to marry me (just yet).

I do have a student VISA, but it runs out as my course finishes, which is next month. There is no option to extend, apparently, due to my full-time course not being extended. However, if I did pay 200 quid to extend my dissertation, it would reflect poorly on my academic record.

I was hoping to try and secure sponsorship for a PhD. So far my merit performance seems on track, meaning good-enough marks, no missed deadlines or extensions. However, it might be easier to get sorted with a Visa and work permit than a PhD sponsorship. We all know how easy THAT is.

The course overrun wasn't a formal extension, just a management surprise. I had arranged an extension till Jan 2006 (graduation ceremony) with the international student office, but when I recently went back to them to activate the "option", I was told it does not exist. Tuff luck.

Anyways, matters seem rather complex at this point in time. Any news on this HSMP and MBA work permit for 1 year? Would Hull University be regarded as good enough?

Is the bottom line the paddleless-creek scenario, or is there a high road out there somewhere?

Thanks again.

Rob

[lynn132]

I think if you apply for HSMP before your current visa expires, you can stay in the country until a decision is made on the application - but I may be wrong because they recently changed the in-country rules about changing status from a student. It's worth checking into.

This is really none of my business, but I have to ask, if you have CHILDREN with your SO, what is the issue about marriage? Does she realize that you will have to leave the country and your children if you do not find a solution? Anyway - no need to answer that question - I just don't personally understand why someone would have a child with someone yet not want to commit to marriage, especially since not making that committment may mean depriving the children of a parent.

[rob]

Hi there

Thanks for the advice. I shall look into it. Still no word on the HSMP and MBA option? I was told by UKOSA that one has to apply whilst on a student VISA. I simply cannot afford professional advice at this stage.

I can handle a personal question, seeing as I made the initial point. Not my kids. I just happen to love them.

[lynn132]

Hi there

I can handle a personal question, seeing as I made the initial point. Not my kids. I just happen to love them.

All the more reason she shouldn't want to see you go. Wish I had some good advice or a solution, but all I can do is wish you good luck! Keep us posted on how it works out.

[lynn132]

Just saw this:

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2005_04_ ... c5dcf9061c