Date of First Entry in UK (Under Work Permit Visa)

[kamart]

Hello Everyone,
I have a query with regards to my date of first entry into the UK - I have a work permit which is valid from 16th Oct 2007 to 16th Oct 2012. My appointment with a PEO is on the 24th September 2012 at Croydon.

My problem is that the first date I entered UK is 16th September 2007 under my Student Visa which was valid until 31st October 2007 as I was attending my own graduation. During this time, my Work Permit was being processed and issued to me while I was still in the UK, starting 16th October 2012. I have definitely been in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years, however my entry date falls out of the Work Permit timeframe.

What would be the best way for me to explain my situation to the PEO?

Thanks in advance for your help. Yanti

[wpilr_nov12]

What valid visa/leave did you have on 1/nov/2007?

[kamart]

Hi! That would be my Work Permit, which starts from 16th Oct 2007....

[wpilr_nov12]

Hi! That would be my Work Permit, which starts from 16th Oct 2007....

If that is your leave start date, then your 5 yr starts on this date.

And going back to your first question, there is nothing unusual that needs to be explained to the CW

[kamart]

Thank you...so for the date of first entry into the UK within the SET(O) form, I should put down 16th Oct 2007 even though I have no stamp to validate that as my passport was only stamped on the 16th Sept 2007 when I entered with my Student Visa?

[wpilr_nov12]

Thank you...so for the date of first entry into the UK within the SET(O) form, I should put down 16th Oct 2007 even though I have no stamp to validate that as my passport was only stamped on the 16th Sept 2007 when I entered with my Student Visa?

Then where do you get that date from?

[kamart]

Hi Sorry I think I might have confused you. Basically I have a Work Permit Visa in my passport dated 16th Oct 2007 to 16th Oct 2012. However I entered the UK on the 16th Sept 2007 using my Student Visa as it was still valid then (expires on the 31st Oct 2007). My Work Permit was issued to me whilst I was still in the UK hence I do not have a date of entry into the UK at the beginning of my stay with the Work Permit visa....does that make sense?

Thanks.

[wpilr_nov12]

Hi Sorry I think I might have confused you. Basically I have a Work Permit Visa in my passport dated 16th Oct 2007 to 16th Oct 2012. However I entered the UK on the 16th Sept 2007 using my Student Visa as it was still valid then (expires on the 31st Oct 2007). My Work Permit was issued to me whilst I was still in the UK hence I do not have a date of entry into the UK at the beginning of my stay with the Work Permit visa....does that make sense?

Thanks.

No, you have not confused me at all, this is a very common scenario on this forum where the initial question and expected answer are from two different realms.

Anyway, in your case, you entered on your student visa, once in UK got the work permit 'visa'.

Once you get your work permit related leave to remain, your student visa ceases to have any validity (experts??)

Page 13 of Set_O, question 6.1

When did you (the main applicant) first enter the UK? This
refers to the date of your first entry into the UK at the beginning of
the period of stay on which this application is based.

Although it asks for the date of entry, in your case you 'switched' categories, so the date on your work permit 'visa' is the one you need.

[kamart]

Thank you so much for your help!

On a separate note, for Section 6 (Immigration History), would you recommend bringing along an Excel spreadsheet of absences from the UK? Or do you fill in the form within SET (O) - it's just I don't have sufficient space for my entries as I've been doing many short trips over the last 5 years.

Regards,
Yanti