Confusion with Transitional Arrangements - urgent

[menziec]

Dear all,

I need some urgent help regarding my girlfriends HMSP application.

My girlfriend is a US Citizen and she applied for the HSMP application before 28th Feb 2008 and received the approval letter around 10 weeks or so later.

On the 2nd Aug 2008 she went to have her biometrics done in the US (fingerprints etc).

Our understanding was that the next stage is to apply for entry clearance at the local British Embassy or Consulate using this application form: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx and also supplying passports, photos, bank statements for last 3 months and HSMP approval letter,

However, looking through the various websites and discussions it seems that we should be applying through Tier 1 general: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/ ... sappendix1. Is this correct?

We understood that entry clearance takes 2 weeks to complete and have therefore waited until around 6 weeks before her HSMP approval letter expires. My understanding is that Tier 1 takes a long time to turnaround – well in excess of 2 weeks.

I was hoping that someone could help confirm:

1. Which application we should be using and
2. How long we can expect to wait to get entry clearance through Tier 1.


We are both starting to get panicked by all this!!

Can anyone help clarify things?

Many thanks

Chris

[niw2]

No need to worry, the Tier 1 scheme came into force recently, replacing the HSMP scheme, but that doesnt make your HSMP approval letter invalid. You can still apply for EC using your HSMP letter and there are transitional arrangements in place for applicants with HSMP approval letters. If you look at the British High Commission/Consulate website for your area (eg. US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc) you should find the relevant page outlining the process.

Basically, you will find that, with an HSMP approval letter, your partner is only required to prove that she has held 2800GBP for the past 3 months in order to obtain her visa.

[geriatrix]

looking through the various websites and discussions it seems that we should be applying through Tier 1 general: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/ ... sappendix1. Is this correct?

Yes, but only when one is applying from a country where BHC does not accept online applications. From the US, you can only apply online.

We understood that entry clearance takes 2 weeks to complete and have therefore waited until around 6 weeks before her HSMP approval letter expires. My understanding is that Tier 1 takes a long time to turnaround – well in excess of 2 weeks.

EC applications (and Tier 1 applications from overseas) are processed at the local BHCs in the country where the applications are made. Therefore timeslines can only be advised by the respective BHC/VAC.

As long as you have ensured that application fees has been paid for before expiry of the HSMP approval, there is nothing to worry about.

regards

[niw2]

To summarise the two replies above, including my own, your partner needs to apply to your local British High Commission for a Tier 1 visa, under the transitional process now in place for applicants with a valid HSMP letter.

Assuming her HSMP approval letter has not expired, under the transitional system in place, your partner will only need to prove that she has sufficient maintenance funds in order to qualify for the visa (assuming she has no criminal convictions, terrorist affiliations, or other such issues that might disqualify her).

You will need to contact your local British High Commission to find out about their current waiting times.