TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS-Do I come under this for my extent

[ravi30]

Hi,

I think I qualify for my settlement visa in May but not sure. It's been close to 5 years on my work visa and my situation is a bit tricky and couldn't find appropriate information on UKBA website. In hope of getting proper information I'm posting this thread.

I'm on work visa and the below are my VISA details. I would like to know if I qualify to apply for 'Settlement VISA'/'PR'.

I've received my HSMP approval letter before Feb 14th 2008
I've sent my passport for visa stamping in June 2008 and I've been issued TIER 1 GENERAL visa(as HSMP is changed to TIER1 GENERAL between my approval letter and stamping) for 3 years period(30/JUNE/2008 to 27/JUNE/2011)
I've applied for extension on 27/MAY/2011(exactly one month before expiry) and it's been granted extension from the date I've applied instead of expiry date, overlapping my existing visa period (27/MAY/2011 to 27/MAY/2013) and this has shortened the 5 year period by a month.
Now this makes my entire work visa period rounds to 4years 11months, short of 1 month for a settlement visa.

Below are the questions regarding my application:

Can I apply for Settlement VISA on my current 4 year 11 months status, if yes when can I apply and please provide some information on this, that I can use to support my application.
If I'm not qualified to apply for settlement visa, will I come under new transitional arrangements rules for tier 1 general extension(with HSMP approval letter before 29 Feb 2008) which allow me to pay £700 for the extension application instead of £1800 or something(in person fee).
Ref- http://www.ukba.home...gementsforhsmp/

If someone can point me in the right direction, that would be much appreciated.

Regards
Rav

[kiranchinnu]

Hi,

I think I qualify for my settlement visa in May but not sure. It's been close to 5 years on my work visa and my situation is a bit tricky and couldn't find appropriate information on UKBA website. In hope of getting proper information I'm posting this thread.

I'm on work visa and the below are my VISA details. I would like to know if I qualify to apply for 'Settlement VISA'/'PR'.

I've received my HSMP approval letter before Feb 14th 2008
I've sent my passport for visa stamping in June 2008 and I've been issued TIER 1 GENERAL visa(as HSMP is changed to TIER1 GENERAL between my approval letter and stamping) for 3 years period(30/JUNE/2008 to 27/JUNE/2011)
I've applied for extension on 27/MAY/2011(exactly one month before expiry) and it's been granted extension from the date I've applied instead of expiry date, overlapping my existing visa period (27/MAY/2011 to 27/MAY/2013) and this has shortened the 5 year period by a month.
Now this makes my entire work visa period rounds to 4years 11months, short of 1 month for a settlement visa.

Below are the questions regarding my application:

Can I apply for Settlement VISA on my current 4 year 11 months status, if yes when can I apply and please provide some information on this, that I can use to support my application.
If I'm not qualified to apply for settlement visa, will I come under new transitional arrangements rules for tier 1 general extension(with HSMP approval letter before 29 Feb 2008) which allow me to pay £700 for the extension application instead of £1800 or something(in person fee).
Ref- http://www.ukba.home...gementsforhsmp/

If someone can point me in the right direction, that would be much appreciated.

Regards
Rav

Your ILR clocks starts at 30th June 2008 not from the time of HSMP Approval letter.
So you will eligible for applying ILR before 28 days of 30th June 2013 .

So as per your post your visa is expiring on 27th May 2013, you will have shortfall of 5days over there. You need to extend the visa and then apply for ILR.

This is very unfortunate and costly situation .You are not eligible to pay £700 for extn as your already transferred to Tier(1) General .

Hope this helps

[ravi30]

Thanks for the reply. No disrespect but I'm aware of the fact that the 5yr period starts from visa issue date but not letter date.

But I'm a bit convinced reading 'If you applied for an HSMP approval letter on or before 28 February 2008' section on this page

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... tsforhsmp/

It reads - If you applied for HSMP approval letter then you are eligible. Correct me if am getting it wrong but why would they say letter if they are referring to the type of visa issued on passport?

[kiranchinnu]

Thanks for the reply.

But I'm a bit convinced reading 'If you applied for an HSMP approval letter on or before 28 February 2008' section on this page

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... tsforhsmp/

It reads - If you applied for HSMP approval letter then you are eligible. Correct me if am getting it wrong but why would they say letter if they are referring to the type of visa issued on passport?

What fee and how much did you pay for extn ?

[ravi30]

The fee I've paid was around £1150 or something (that was in person same day service) in YR 2011

[kiranchinnu]

The fee I've paid was around £1150 or something (that was in person same day service) in YR 2011

So , you should understand that your have already paid Tier(1) genaral Visa fees there , so same applies now...