Really need help !!

[eyerobin]

My company applied Tier 1 visa for me three years ago, and it already expired at the begining of September. Because of the changes of the staff, company asked a new Admin colleague to apply the Tier 1 extension visa for me and she knows nothing about the visa application. She said she submitted my application online in the middle of Auguest (Is that a proper way?) and asked me to give her all my support documents at the end of Auguest (She said HO informed her). However, until today, I still haven't got any reply from Home Office.

I tried to ask her if there is anything update, she just said that she tried to ask HO, but nothing replied.

It's been more than 3 months now, what shall I do? I'm so worried about it. Can you please give me any advice? Thanks in advance.

[geriatrix]

First, ascertain whether or not an application was in fact submitted - ask how exactly how was the application and supporting documents submitted.
If by post, ask for documentary evidence to confirm. Check if payment has been taken and acknowledgement has been received.

[eyerobin]

First, ascertain whether or not an application was in fact submitted - ask how exactly how was the application and supporting documents submitted.
If by post, ask for documentary evidence to confirm. Check if payment has been taken and acknowledgement has been received.

Thansk for your reply. Payment needs to be confirmed till next Monday. Accountant is on holiday this week.

What's the format of the acknowledgement? She said she didn't recieve any paper format letter from HO since my application had been sent out, except emails.

[geriatrix]

What's the format of the acknowledgement?

A letter from UKBA sent by second class post. Because it is sent by second class post, it is prone to be lost in transit.

[eyerobin]

Have you ever heard to apply online? I checked the Visa4UK online system, I can't find within UK option and only available for outside of the UK.

Did she lie to me? or she try to cover her mistake?

[geriatrix]

Why don't you ask her what she exactly has she done ..... rather than asking people on the forum to speculate on what she may have done and why?

As already suggested above, ask her to explain exactly how she submitted your application (each and every step of the process) and check if payment has been taken. Unless either is known, no one can comment if an application has indeed been submitted.

[manojk005]

Have you ever heard to apply online? I checked the Visa4UK online system, I can't find within UK option and only available for outside of the UK.

Did she lie to me? or she try to cover her mistake?

I never heard of any online T1 visa extension application! Normally, I would submit application with all required documents such as salary slips and bank statements. Bank statements are personal so have you given to her? Did you give passport to her? Have you got biometric letter and gave to HO at either post-office or PEO? These do not take very long time. So better check thoroughly in your company.

[ScopeD]

Pardon me if I am being ignorant, but are you not supposed to sign the Tier 1 form as well? Not sure if your application was for Tier 1 General, but assuming it was, I thought you would be required to include things like original bank statements, payslips for the past 12 months, as well as meeting the maintenance requirement among other things (as stated by manojk005 above). Did you provide your Admin person with all the required documents (if your application was for Tier 1 General)???

[eyerobin]

My application is Tier 1 General and I gave her all my supporting documents which include passport, payslips and bank statements etc. at the end of Auguest. She also told me that she already sent them out. she didn't ask me sign anything!

Yesterday, which is Friday, I went to her office and tried to ask her what exactly she has done.

1. After I point out that online application can only be used from outside of the UK, she said she applied online first, and filled the paper work later, and send them out using Royal Mail recorded delivery. There is a record number can be used to track.

2. She said even if she made the mistake, HO should inform her. But none of the paper letters received until now.

3. She promised me that she will gave me all the related copies and emails so that I can have a look during the weekend. However....she left before me and didn't talk with me at all!!!!

4. Everytime when I tried to talk with her, she always pretended to be very nice and because we're colleague, I can't be too harsh to her.

Next Monday, I will try to ask accountant to check if the money has been taken. But I really doubt it as I didn't receive the acknowledgement letter.

[ScopeD]

I guess if I was in your position eyerobin I would have taken more ownership of the application process as this does affect you rather than this admin person. I think you are better placed to understand the rules than her when it comes to Tier 1 General.

My application is Tier 1 General and I gave her all my supporting documents which include passport, payslips and bank statements etc. at the end of Auguest.

What about the Tier 1 General Application form??? Did you fill one for her to send with the application???

1. After I point out that online application can only be used from outside of the UK, she said she applied online first, and filled the paper work later, and send them out using Royal Mail recorded delivery. There is a record number can be used to track

From what you say, I am not sure that the admin girl can correctly fill in the Tier 1 General Application form for you without your input as some of the questions require answers which would definitely need your input. Did you assist her to fill in this form http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... l-form.pdf. This is the form for Tier 1 General.

[eyerobin]

I really don't know what shall I say. Just want to say thank you all for your advise.
1. This morning, she said she already printed out all the docs and forgot to give me on last Friday and ask me to wait again.

2. This afternoon, I can't wait any longer and sat into her office, asking her tell me exactly what she has done.

3. She showed me several emails that she sent to the HO, date from the middle of Auguest. Just asking how to apply the Tier 1 extension visa, etc.

4. The most important part is she showed me the Tier 1 application form which she sent out. She just simply took my previous form and changed little information and left lots of part blank!!!!!! Also, my previous Tier 1 application was made at 2008, that version of application form already expired and she still used it!!!!!

5. Now I understand why she never tell me the truth, because there is no truth at all. I just can't understand why she didn't ask me to confirm all the info, even didn't ask me to sign the form. There is a fault on my side as well, I trust her too much!

Well, the HO must thought it was a joke and this applicant did't want to get the extension at all. Can I submit the application form again? I know my visa already expired more than 3 months, but I still haven't got my supporting documents back, or I don't even know where they are

[manojk005]

I really don't know what shall I say. Just want to say thank you all for your advise.
1. This morning, she said she already printed out all the docs and forgot to give me on last Friday and ask me to wait again.

2. This afternoon, I can't wait any longer and sat into her office, asking her tell me exactly what she has done.

3. She showed me several emails that she sent to the HO, date from the middle of Auguest. Just asking how to apply the Tier 1 extension visa, etc.

4. The most important part is she showed me the Tier 1 application form which she sent out. She just simply took my previous form and changed little information and left lots of part blank!!!!!! Also, my previous Tier 1 application was made at 2008, that version of application form already expired and she still used it!!!!!

5. Now I understand why she never tell me the truth, because there is no truth at all. I just can't understand why she didn't ask me to confirm all the info, even didn't ask me to sign the form. There is a fault on my side as well, I trust her too much!

Well, the HO must thought it was a joke and this applicant did't want to get the extension at all. Can I submit the application form again? I know my visa already expired more than 3 months, but I still haven't got my supporting documents back, or I don't even know where they are

This is very difficult situation. First thing you should do is to find out where your passport is? I will not suggest to trust that admin girl. Rather escalate this to higher management as her act might has made your employer liable for huge fine! And simply being nice to her in this regard is no good! If she is holding your passport for whatever reason without your knowledge then it may be crime. As your visa is expired, UKBA can easly treat you as overstayer and you know better what does it means and what consequence it may have.

One lesson from your experience for all is that do all paperworks on own and make sure it is posted with all documents whatever help anyone is providing.

[ScopeD]

4. The most important part is she showed me the Tier 1 application form which she sent out. She just simply took my previous form and changed little information and left lots of part blank!!!!!! Also, my previous Tier 1 application was made at 2008, that version of application form already expired and she still used it!!!!!

To be fair to the admin girl, I really think you should have filled the Tier 1 General form yourself (or at least you should have spent some time with her to help her answer the questions) as most of the questions on the form require answers that can only be known by you (hence the reason the form keeps referring to you as "The Applicant"). Even where one is making use of a representative, you will find that the rep will take time to discuss the questions with you so that the questions are answered correctly. The company is not the applicant here. They may provide administrative assistance etc but you really have to take ownership of the process because it largely affects you.

From what you have said, it appears that you did not sign the form that was sent to the UKBA as this was sent by this girl, and the first time you got to see the form is when she showed this to you yesterday??? What information is in the emails and HO correspondence she has printed out for you? Are there any reference numbers or something that shows UKBA have received your application?

[eyerobin]

I asked her if everything is ok before, and she never raised a question. If she can let me know that she got any problem, or if she can let me know early, I will definitely work with her or will finish the whole procedure by myself.

1). I phoned the HO, and they can confirmed that there is no record for my application. She sent my application and supporting documents to the follow address: UK Border Agency, PO Box 3973. Sheffield. S1 9BH

2). She can't find the reference number for the recorded delivery as well. Nobody knows where are my passport, payslips, degree certificate etc.

3). Phoned the local post office that she sent the application out and they said only up to three months reference no. will be stored in their system.

4). A seperate online inquiry form has been filled through Royal Mail website. No guarantee has been made that I can get my personal supporting documents back.