Work Permit -> Entry Clearance -> Residence Permit?

[Da8thMonth]

Hi,

I'm new to the board and hope that someone can help me out.

A bit of background information:

I'm American with legal residence in Germany. I've an employer in the UK who is sponsoring my work permit (regular permit, no special scheme) and we are still in the application process. I've already signed the work contract and as far as I know my application for a work permit was made in June 2005.

Its now been about 10 weeks and still no decision or documents from the Home Office regarding my application. My employer sponsors many work permits every year and is optimistic that my permit will come through any day (week?) now.

I am not as optimistic at the moment, as I believe the application/ decision process should not be taking this long.

I have the following questions:

- does the amount of time that has already past since my application speak badly for me actually obtaining a work permit?

- assuming I obtain a work permit, can anyone comment on approx. how long obtaining entry clearance takes? approx. how long must I surrender my passport to the British consulate in a foreign country (Germany in my case)?

- once I obtain Entry Clearance, is there anything further I must complete before I enter the UK with my work permit?

- after I obtain Entry Clearnace, must I then apply for a residence permit in the UK or is this already contained in the work permit application?

- Must I register with the police when I arrive and find an apartment?

I ask as this was pretty much the process that I went through when I originally applied for my German work and residence permits.

Thank you very much for any responses in advance and good wishes to those still in the application process!

Da8thMonth

[try-one]

Hi,
does the amount of time that has already past since my application speak badly for me actually obtaining a work permit? You need to remember that during the summer period many UK workers leave for a long period of time (including government employees), the delay could be due to that fact. But, you should have a response any day now, more is not normal.

- assuming I obtain a work permit, can anyone comment on approx. how long obtaining entry clearance takes? approx. how long must I surrender my passport to the British consulate in a foreign country (Germany in my case)? Entry clearance should be a one day issue; you bring the WP letter and some additional documentation and you will be fine; during the interview for EC try to show that you will not be a charge for the government ( you will not request money from the government) this can be done by showing that: You have some funds, you have accomodation planned (google.co.uk) and you have a stable job (contract.)

- once I obtain Entry Clearance, is there anything further I must complete before I enter the UK with my work permit? No, EC and Airline ticket...that's it...

- after I obtain Entry Clearnace, must I then apply for a residence permit in the UK or is this already contained in the work permit application? WP includes your right to live in this country as long as: The EC is valid (hasn't expired) and you do work for the same company doing the same job. If you change jobs inside the company or plan to leave for another company TELL the HOME OFFICE, or ask your employer to tell them. You should get a 1,2,3,4,5 year EC WP; after working in the UK for 4 years you can apply for a residence permit...Indefinite Leave to Remain ILR...and 12 months after that you can apply for naturalization-passport...etc

- Must I register with the police when I arrive and find an apartment? The EC official will tell you that...or the EC will have it writen, not all people are required...ask them

[Da8thMonth]

Hi Immigration Board,

I just received news today that I have been denied in my work permit application. Perhaps you can shed some light as to why this happened, as I do not properly understand it.

Background information is I've 1.5 years work experience as a consultant in Germany and applied for a graduate training position in the UK to persue accountancy. As the company that I worked for in Germany also does accountancy in the UK, I applied internally for the position and accepted the job in the UK.

The Home Office has denied my application because:

- the salary I am offered in the UK is not "commensurate" to what I earned perviously in Germany
- I graduated in 2003
- I have 1.5 years of work experience
- my title in Germany was "senior associate"

I don't understand why the Home Office is comparing my previous position in Germany with the new position in the UK. They are not in the same. I was a consultant in Germany and will train to be an auditor in England.

As for the salary, of course it would not be commensurate. It is an audit trainee salary, not a consultant salary. Consultants always start out at a higher salary. Why are they comparing the two?

I also don't understand why 1.5 years of work experience is "enough" to make me not eligible for an accountancy "graduate" trainee program. Again, I have received no training in Germany in accountancy. I did not work in accountancy in Germany (no accountancy experience). There are no formal training programs at all in Germany, hence, coming to the UK.


I am unaware of any law in the UK regarding a time limit one has in applying for a graduate trainee program. I don't understand why graduating in 2003 should have any effect on my work permit status when applying for a graduate trainee position.

I also don't understand why the title in my previous position has any bearing on this decision as well. I was "promoted" to senior associate (one up from the bottom, so to speak) 8 months after I started the position in Germany due to internal restructuring of the staff in Germany. Usually, one spends 2 years as an associate. However, others with only 4 months of work experience, also became "senior associates". We would then consequently stay 3 years at the next level instead of 2 years due to this restructuring.

Can anyone shed some light? Or does this seem a bit of a drastic decision from the home office? My company is currently trying to appeal the decision, but I just don't understand it at all.

Thanks,

Da8thmonth

[Da8thMonth]

Is anyone aware of any internal guidelines the home office may have that are not made public?

It seems to me that if they rejected my application on the grounds of my graduation date that there must be some internal guideline that is new regarding such things.

I've also heard of other applicants to the same graduate scheme as I were rejected because their university diplomas and final marks would not be made available until December. Even though they finished their coursework, the Home Office denied them permits as well.

I personally can't say for sure that myself or these others would have received permits last year. However, the company that made the applications on our behalf has never had problems with the home office before. Surely, one can conclude that the company hires the same type of people every year for this program and as they have been doing this a long time they would not offer employment contracts to people they thought they wouldn't be able to secure a work permit for.

Any thoughts?