what is best way for HSMP payment?

[andy2007]

Hi,

I am applying for HSMP from India. I have account in ICICI bank. I wanted to know what is the best option to pay : UK postal order, Cheque OR Credit card?

I thought of cheque option and I read in the guidance notes that "Cheques drawn in sterling on a UK bank account" are accepted. Does this mean I have to have an account in a "UK Bank". Initially I thought of contacting my sister in UK as she has an account in a UK based local bank. I asked her to issue a cheque of 400 pounds and send it to India which I tought of sending as a part of my application. Is this correct procedure?

Alternatively my sister suggested , I get a UK postal order done from ICICI account from ICICI bank branch in India and send it. (Apparently DD in India is same as Postal Order in UK). Would the Postal Order issued by ICICI branch in India be accepted by home office?

What is the most popularly used method for payment?

Please help.Thanks in advance.

Andy

[nikunj_dal]

Andy, my personal views/experience as below:

1) Local UK Cheque is fine but takes 8-10 days time for clearing.
2) DD is also fine but again time invloved (4-5 days)
3) You can use your credit card.( But please inform your bank as well in advance as some applications returned w/o receipt of payment)
4) And the best option use any local (UK) credit/debit card. This is very quick. Even I opted for this.

Trust this will be helpful.

Nikunj.

[andy2007]

Hi Nukunj,

Thanks for the reply.

The best option , you say is to use any local (UK) credit/debit card. But my problem is that I do not have a local (UK) credit/debit card. I only have an ICICI debit card.

Hence I am thinking of sending a UK postal Order (Demand Draft) issued from local ICICI branch in India.

Still the question persists.
Is this method reliable? Is it recognized in UK Home office? Would it be accepted by home office?

If anyone has used this option then please share your experience. Senior members, your help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

[raghuraman]

I am not sure if the demand draft issued by ICICI bank is the same as UK postal order. Please check on it.

UK Postal orders can be got from the post offices in UK and are the best option for a fast turnaround time.
But there is a charge (I paid around 20 pounds - but I think now it might be slightly higher)
But if you cannot get it your best bet would be to pay by a international debit or credit card, even if it is from issued by an Indian bank. Please check with the issuer if they will allow this transaction.
If your bank does not allow this; try a prepay credit card - wherein you can pay the money and use it upto that limit.

As far as I know cheques and demand draft take more time to clear and hence delay the process.
best of luck

[SYH]

Any credit card is good, it doesn't have to be local
Next is debit card as long as it designed to work out of the country of origin. Nowadays most are and have the visa or maestro logo, if yours does then it is a good chance it will work in the uk but checking with your bank first is always best.

[andy2007]

Sincere thanks to all for the replies.

I called the Customer Care and they confirmed that DD will be accepted. Further they clarified that if I send a DD then I should tick on the "Cheque" option on payment slip.

Furthermore I enquired with ICICI bank and they said that they would be issuing a DD of HSBC bank. (not ICICI bank). That ensures that it will be payable in UK. Also this transaction would be done electronically so the money has actually reached UK even before our application lands there.
ICICI staff told me that once the DD reaches there HO will be able to encash it in 1 or 2 days.That takes care of speedy payment. And being a DD payment is also assured. DD option looks quite ok.