Point-based calculator on the website - very strange

[priya_bhosale]

Hello,

Does anybody know if the point based calculator on the home office website is reliable?

I was just concerned because as per my knowledge it doesnt take the circumstances into consideration. It just goes by the figures.

For example, just out of curiosity, I entered my earnings (from UK and from India separately) and those earnings were claimed over a period of 2 years; Jan 2007 to December 2008 (the criteria is 12 continuous months within the previous 15 months). I entered my Indian earnings as from Jan 2007 to Dec 2007 and my UK earnings from Jan 2008 to Dec 2008

It still gave me the points which were relevant to that particular income band! Very perplexing!

Can anyone throw some light on this please?

Thanks,
Priya

[geriatrix]

It is important to note that it is country where you live and work that determines your income band and not the country where your salary gets credited! Lack of understanding of this "key" point is the most common reason why some people make mistakes in calculating "previous earnings" .

Also, Tier 1 takes into account full-time study and maternity / adoption related absences from work (and earnings) wherein the applicants can claim income points from a (15 month) window that falls "outside" the 15 month window immediately preceding the application". E.g. - for a student who left gainful employment and became a student in 2005, the points-based calculator will still calculate points for income in the year 2004-2005. It is not for the points-based calculator to decide whether the income period is valid or not, that is something the applicant has to decide (manually) based on the policy guidance! Points-based calculator does just what it is meant for - calculate points - without deciding on the accuracy/validity of the input!

This said, it is difficult to say if you made an error in entering data / interpreting the results in the points-based calculator, unless you can explain your income details in length and how you answered each of the questions in the previous earnings section of the points-based calculator.


regards

[priya_bhosale]

It is important to note that it is country where you live and work that determines your income band and not the country where your salary gets credited!

Thank you for your reply sush. Yes, I understand this. So the income I am earning from an Indian company, credited into my Indian bank account, paid to me in Indian rupees will still be considered as my UK income as I am physically present and working in the UK.

It is not for the points-based calculator to decide whether the income period is valid or not, that is something the applicant has to decide (manually) based on the policy guidance!

The above statement of yours explains fully why the calculator still gave me points.

This said, it is difficult to say if you made an error in entering data / interpreting the results in the points-based calculator, unless you can explain your income details in length and how you answered each of the questions in the previous earnings section of the points-based calculator.

I dont think I made an error entering the data. Heres what I entered:

UK income (earned between 01 Jan 2008 to 31 Dec 2008) = £16,000

Indian income earned between (01 Jan 2007 to 31 Dec 2007) = Rs. 330,000

(Pls note the UK and Indian earnings combined, are over a period of 24 mths not 12 mths)

Indian income converted into GBP @ rate of 0.01244 GBP/ 1 Re =£ 4,104

Total income = 20,104

Points awarded = 15

[geriatrix]

Thank you for your reply sush. Yes, I understand this. So the income I am earning from an Indian company, credited into my Indian bank account, paid to me in Indian rupees will still be considered as my UK income as I am physically present and working in the UK.
I dont think I made an error entering the data. Heres what I entered:

UK income (earned between 01 Jan 2008 to 31 Dec 2008) = £16,000

Indian income earned between (01 Jan 2007 to 31 Dec 2007) = Rs. 330,000

(Pls note the UK and Indian earnings combined, are over a period of 24 mths not 12 mths)

Indian income converted into GBP @ rate of 0.01244 GBP/ 1 Re =£ 4,104

Total income = 20,104

Points awarded = 15

But where is the error or what's wrong (as you perceive it)??

If you mentioned UK as country of earning for period 01-Jan-07 to 31-Dec-07 (in other words, you were present in UK in 2007), then your income in INR (330,000) is not subject to uplift factor! So the points-based calculator has given you the correct result.

regards

[priya_bhosale]

If you mentioned UK as country of earning for period 01-Jan-07 to 31-Dec-07 (in other words, you were present in UK in 2007), then your income in INR (330,000) is not subject to uplift factor! So the points-based calculator has given you the correct result.

Yes I understand that. I am not even doubting as to why the uplift ratio was not applied. I understand well why it is so.

The only thing was that the income I entered (Indian+UK) was earned in 24 months and not 12 months. But as you say it is not for the calculator to decide whether the income is valid or not, this should end the matter I think.

Thank you for your comments...