HSMP and WP

[Kittu]

Hi,

I've submitted my hsmp from in-country(London) on 20th May '04.Till now i've not got any correspondence from HO.
My ref# 018***.
When I contacted them, they said it will take another month and half to assign my case to a case worker.
My problem is my WP is getting expired on 30 Aug 2004.
Now, if my decision letter is not received by Aug '04, can I apply for my WP extn. while my hsmp is not decided..?
Also, is hsmp and WP are treated as one entity or 2 different entities..?
I mean if in case of USA, there are different Work permits like L1 and H1. Each one is treated as differently.

Suppose in my case:
Case1:if my hsmp is successful,the from date will be from Aug 31st '04..? or later date..if its later date, then is my legal status here in London valid..?
Also,as i'am processing hsmp personally, if I(my employer) sent my passport for my WP extn., will this HSMP becomes invalid..?

Case2:If my hsmp is unsuccessfull, can I send the passport for WP extn. even if I receive my passport after aug 30th '04..?

Can anybody clarify pls..I'am a new member here.

[afzalasm]

Hello,

Well, HSMP is something a letter of approval that you are eligible to enter UK as an individual without any sponsorships and can work on your own either job or self employment. In your case, you must get the Work permit ext application initiated by your employer so as to make your presence legal. My Ref is around 016xxX and I expect my case sometime next month but yours is far away so you can guess it will take another 2 months min. for sure. If after getting WP Ext., your HSMP got approved, you can change your status that time and it will not become invalid if you send a WP extension request through your employer.

Currenlty, you will only get an approval letter after u got approved and then you have to apply for entry clearance etc etc. I dont know whether an in country applicant needs to re-enter UK (Hope not) for changing his status. I think it shoud be done within UK.

So in any case, dont bank on HSMP result, go ahead with what you have easy to do that is; WP Extension via your employer. If you will be lucky enough to get HSMP, you can change your status.

Hope this help.