Volunteering in Olympics 2012

[PinkFloyd]

Hello People,

I am on Tier 1 (G) visa valid until 4th July 2012. I have enrolled myself for volunteering in the 2012 Olympics (under the very basic assumption that I can if I am allowed to work under this Visa category than I can volunteer as well). But as you can see, My visa expires just a month before the big event. I will go for my ILR near that time but I need to prove to the organising committee now that I have the permission.

Can anyone please suggest any alternatives that they know off for this purpose (Volunteering) ?

The most obvious thing to do if to apply for Tier 1 ext now so that it covers the duration of the olympics. (If I get 2 years from now that will take me to Nov 2012... good enough). With this intention I was going through the Tier 1 application form and navigating the if....then...else structure I got the impression that rules for this extension will be same as of last time (25 May 2009) i.e. points for BE degree and Max points for earnings at GBP 40000+. Please tell me if I have managed to delude myself. My timelines are

HSMP letter 3rd May 2007
EC cleareance 4th July 2007
Tier 1 (G) Extension on 25 May 2009

Cheers!

[geriatrix]

Reading the policy guidance should help.


regards

[PinkFloyd]

Thanks Sush ... I did go through the guidance and the forms but my confidence took a hit comprehending the complexities and a palpable fear that I cannot now ever get a extension under tier 1 so I looked up to higher powers here to just give me nod or a wink.

I still googling out about volunteer visa or such like but don't know what I can get 2 years in advance. Would love to hear your or anyone else thoughts on this one.

Thanks again...

[geriatrix]

You make it sound like rocket science!

There's no specific visa for volunteering in the UK. Anyone with leave to enter/remain may volunteer in the UK unless their immigration status prevents them from doing so.

Therefore, the only options for you are that you either extend your Tier 1 visa or return to home country and apply for visit visa (volunteering under visit visa will only be possible if there is no expectation of payment - as income or expense related - for the volunteer work you do. Also remember that if you apply for any other visa (e.g. - visit visa) and are granted, then your Tier 1 visa will become invalid.



regards

[PinkFloyd]

Thanks again for your advice...

If only it was rocket science, I could have handled it but I didn't want to make it sound complicated. The thing is with my application for volunteering I needs to prove that I have a valid visa right now that covers the period august - september 2012. So was wondering how can I have visa now with that long a validity apart for the tier-1. But as you pointed out that early extension of tier 1 is my best (only) recourse and I will follow that.

Cheers!

[geriatrix]

See also Early application for Tier 1 extension


regards