Is it worth trying?

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

I have the necessary points to qualify for HSMP, in terms for degree, earnings etc.

But I am wary of trying for an HSMP, because in the past, I have a record of staying for 3 and 1/2 months after my job on a WP ended in the UK.

Moreover, my previous employer in the UK is refusing to give me a letter of experience. All I have as proof of having worked there are my salary slips. ( I was treated quite unfairly by the employer. I mean what kind of an employer would refuse to give a letter of experience?)

The salary slips stop 3 1/2 months before my return to my home country.

Assuming even if I do get the HSMP, entry clearance might still be tough won't it?

Would appreciate answers from people.

[meggles]

why do you need an employer letter? so that they provide contact detilas & state that you worked in the UK? (points for UK experience?)

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

Yes. Do they not need prrof of all previous employers?

[meggles]

under the new HSMP rules (valid from 5-Dec), there is no "experience" section. there are the following sections:

1- Education
2- Previous Earnings
3- Age
4- UK Experience as Student or Employee
5- English proficiency.

For 2- Previous Earnings they need to see your salary for (12) out of the last (15) months. You need to show salary slips AND income tax returns for these months. If you can't show both of these you need to also show letter from employer verifying salary & bank statements.

In the "previous earnings" section of the application it states that you need to provide contact details for all employers that you're claiming earnings from.

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

Oh ok. thanks for the info. What about the problem of 'overstaying'? I don't know if it can be classified legally as overstaying because I did have a visa afterall.

[meggles]

did you previous employer inform the home office that you were no longer working for them? i must admit, this is out of my league, and i'll let more experienced/knowledgeable people comment on this.

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

No. They din't inform them.

[HSMP5thDec]

the question would be: is it still allowed to stay with a WP holder visa once you are not working with the same company with whom your WP was connected with? if not, probably you need to consider some other ways...

No. They din't inform them.

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

Yes. That is what I am worried about. Does anyone know how this would work?

[meggles]

a Work Permit is tied to a particular company. you cannot change employers and stay on the same WP.

[Cherryblossom_kyoto]

I did not work for different employers on the same wp. When my job with the first employer ended, I stayed on but did NOT work during the period.

Can any experiences senior member advise me with this one?

[lanr3e]

I really don't understand why or what you are worried about. If you are sure that your former employers did not inform the home office about your not being with them anymore, then there is no way the home will know. The new HSMP rules don't necessarily require and letter from your employers (as long as you have ur payslips for tha last 12 months and d bankstatements/Tax returns). And if in the event that the HO will want to contact ur employers, they will only do so just to verify if your earnings. They will not be interested with your current situation.

So go ahead and apply for HSMP...as long as your current leave to remain in the UK (under ur work permit) has not expired, you will be fine