a complex case : need urgent advice from moderater please

[maj]

Hi,

I have been in UK for the past 4 years.

I came here to do masters in 2002 and then started a PhD degree in 2003 which was funded by the university and UCAS, from a private grant.

In May 2004 I applied for HSMP and successfully got it for 4 years. I then consulted with the university HR people about my status and they put me on their salary roster as a 'postgraduate research associate' instead of 'research student' - I have a letter from them as evidence of this. I also took up two part time jobs (on their suggestion) - one as a demonstrator at the university and the other in the university computing services. In my pay slip from the university the salary for the part time job was fully taxed but that for the research position was shown as scholarship and was NOT taxed - as it was from the grant. I recieved separate pay slip from the university computing services which was fully taxed.

Since May,2006 I am working full time in another job and the salary here is fully taxed. I have never applied for nor recieved any public funds or benefits whilst my stay in the UK.

Recently, I was having a chat with an HR person in my new company adn she said that I should make sure whether I am satisfying the clause of being 'economically active' which is a requirement for HSMP extension (I am due for one in May,2008).
As evidence of my economic activity from May'2004 - April'2006 I have all bank statements, pay slips, contract letters for the two part time jobs and a letter from the research school stating I was working as a research associate for the period May'2004 - April'2006.

I am quite anxious now and would be most grateful if anybody can give me some advice on the above.


Best Regards,
Maj

[artcodex]

Hi maj,

I am not sure fully understand your circumstances. you say in 2004 you got an HSMP for 4 years, and can extend it in 2008. As far as I know you only get an HSMP for 1 year, and can extend it for 3 years after that.

Another matter is that after 5 years living in the UK you should be elligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I am also wondering, are you currently studying while working?

[maj]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

No I meant my HSMP is valid till 2008 but then I have to extend it for another year to satisfy the 5 year requirement. That is where the query about the tax free salary for some part of the HSMP period of 4 years comes in (as detailed in my original post).

I am not studying since OCtober 2004.

Regards,
Maj