HSMP Extension and partner

[shoegazer]

Hello all,

I am currently on HSMP which will expire March 2005. I've just moved to a new employer who are expecting me to do some traveling in the near future. I also have a partner who was not in my original HSMP application and is currently under a 1-year student visa. Here are my questions:

1. Given the frightening lead times being published on WorkingInTheUK I am worried that my extension application will tie up my passport. Is there an option not hand in your passport for extension applications? Or will I have to grin and bear it?

2. Similar to this, how early can I hand in my extension? The note from May 2004 says 2 months prior but is this still valid information or are people handing them in much earlier?

3. Can I apply for my partner as a dependent under HSMP and does this affect the evaluation of my application? Will this convert her student visa into a 3-year HSMP dependent one?

thanks for your advice. Hope someone in the know can help me out

[MWazir]

1. Given the frightening lead times being published on WorkingInTheUK I am worried that my extension application will tie up my passport. Is there an option not hand in your passport for extension applications? Or will I have to grin and bear it?

You will have to submit your passport when you apply for your extesion i.e the FLR application. It does unfortunatly tie up your passport.

If your employer wants you to travel, then fill up the urgent treatment form and mention the date by which you need to travel and fax it to the incountry team. As far as possible the HO will try to meet your deadline.

2. Similar to this, how early can I hand in my extension? The note from May 2004 says 2 months prior but is this still valid information or are people handing them in much earlier?

2 months is what most people are following.

3. Can I apply for my partner as a dependent under HSMP and does this affect the evaluation of my application? Will this convert her student visa into a 3-year HSMP dependent one?

Married partner or unmarried? I dont know the requirements of an unmarried partner, but if you are married then all you need to do is submit the marriage documents when filing your application and she should get a 3 year depedent visa

You can also ask the HO about this. You may not get a prompt reply but they do reply in a two or three days,

[shoegazer]

Married partner or unmarried? I dont know the requirements of an unmarried partner, but if you are married then all you need to do is submit the marriage documents when filing your application and she should get a 3 year depedent visa

You can also ask the HO about this. You may not get a prompt reply but they do reply in a two or three days,

Thanks mwazir!

Unmarried partner for 4 years... for now anyway... am getting "the heat" from relatives and in any case we plan to be married in our home country (Philippines)

The form says "you should provide document(s) showing that you and your partner have been living in a relationship akin to marriage which has subsisted for 2 years or more." Unfortunately all the bills are in my name (for proof of residency purposes), and we spent 8 months apart during my first HSMP stint.

I'll send an inquiry to the HO but was wondering if others had some insight into what constitutes a "relationship akin to marriage" - i.e. is an affidavit sufficient.

[MWazir]

shoegazer,

What about the time spent before you got your HSMP, where you living together. Any bills, insurance papers together. That might be of some help.

One option
Also when does your partner's visa expire? If there is still time then you can go ahead and apply for extension on your own. Once you are married in the near future your spouse can apply for FLR as your dependent. She will be granted the same leave to remain as yours.
You can also obtain the entry clearence from your home country of your marriage. Unfortunatly that means coughing up the extra £121 or the sum required for EC.

If the student's visa is near its end, what are the chances of getting an extension of the student's visa?

[shoegazer]

Also when does your partner's visa expire? If there is still time then you can go ahead and apply for extension on your own. Once you are married in the near future your spouse can apply for FLR as your dependent. She will be granted the same leave to remain as yours.

You can also obtain the entry clearence from your home country of your marriage. Unfortunatly that means coughing up the extra £121 or the sum required for EC.

Her student visa is still valid for quite some time - until June or July 2005. It's really not urgent, just thought it would be convenient if she moved to dependent status. I see it's really quite hard to prove cohabitation without marriage.

I'll probably do what you suggested and get FLR myself, and worry about it when we get married.

Thanks mwazir! This is a great board and is really helpful.