Another visa question - supporting docs

Those who have done an HSMP visa application, what did you have to include?

I didn't see a list of docs when I did the online application and an inquiry to the wellington office pointed me to the list below. Is that really all I need to include??

http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1087554498054

Entry Clearance Requirements/Checklist

a.


Completed online application Non-Settlement Form (VAF 2)
b.


A passport photo of applicant. The photograph should be taken against a light background, be clear and of good quality and printed on normal photographic paper.
c.


Applicant’s current and any previous/other passports.

d.


Original HSMP approval letter issued by Work Permits (UK).

e.


Last three months of full bank statements to demonstrate financial support until you begin employment.

f.


Fee: See How much does it cost?

g.


Please enclose a return courier pack or add $7 to the total application fee.

When I did it (to my knowledege this hasn't changed), the HSMP visa consisted of two parts: the HSMP itself and the Leave to Remain. Once the home office had approved part 1, only then did you send off your passport for the leave to remain to be approved. The checklist you posted here looks like it relates only to part 2, hence why there is no mention of income evidence.

For part 1 (HSMP), everything you need to know about which supporting documents to include is outlined in the link I posted in your immigration consultant post.

Cool, cheers. I missed that link as I don't tend to download PDFs at work, but will have a look now

I am waiting on one document in order to send my application to the Home Office in the UK to get accepted in to the HSMP programme.
Aparently takes quite a bit of time ... 5-6 weeks just for stage one.
You have to supply evidence of your qualifications, income in last twelve months, age, and english fluency. All have to be originals, no photocopies.
Then once you are approved you apply for the entry visa with the British high commission using the approval letter & other documents.

Sweet, supporting docs pretty much all sorted, biometrics done tomorrow

Hopefully it comes back swiftly (and approved!) and I can then get onto the Entry Clearance.

Anyone know how long Entry Clearance takes from NZ?

All sent in

A nervous wait ahead...

GL!

I've just sent in my Visa application for UK Ancestry this morning. I wonder if we'll have the same processing time

It will be interesting. I know someone else who sent an HSMP on Saturday too.

My friend who sent her ancestry visa off the same weekend as you guys received it yesterday! I'm guessing your's wont be too far away if you haven't got it already.

Excellent!

How is your HSMP application going, mine was sent in April 10th, still haven't heard anything back apart from the waiting times have shot up to almost the maximum 14 weeks! I am looking at having to return back to NZ instead of going on the one-way original plan because it won't be ready in time.

mine's been with them for 4.5 weeks. No word yet...

mine took the 4-5 weeks they said it would 20-25 working days!

And by god i was stressing as it arrived the day before i flew out

I'm still waiting for mine too

How long have you been waiting?

my mate has re scheduled flights 6 times.

This may link may be of interest if you haven't seen it already

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=2

what date is your flight pete?

I haven't booked one for this very reason

They received my courier package on Tuesday 22nd April :/

We're not leaving NZ until the 6th July, so that may be why its taking that long for ours to be processed??

Ah sweet - they got mine on the 23rd
Are you applying for HSMP?

My application says I'm supposed to be in the UK on the 5th of June, heh.

It's just taking a long time because they've apparently had the biggest influx of applications ever.

Nah, going for UK Ancestry. I'm not actually due to arrive in the UK until the 30th July, as we're travelling through the states beforehand. I need my passport to do that first!

One thing I would advise is getting onto a National Insurance number as soon as you can. Not sure if they have an overseas contact number but you need to make an appointment to visit a Job Centre for this and mine is still over two weeks away. Then they have to process the application and send you your number.

Not that not having one makes any real difference in the short term though.

Yeah, I had been working for about 4-5 months before I bothered making the appointment. You still pay NI from day 1, just under an "emmergency" NI number. At least that's how I think it works... More importantly, if you think you might start off in a temp job paying £12 p/hr or more, make sure you set up a limited company. It will save you a significant amount of £'s...

I just received an email from the Visa office saying that my visa has been approved.

They've even given me a tracking number for the courier package

yay

Awesome! Fingers crossed mine is not far away either then

Pete! got the visa yet?

Don't ask.



Looking at leaving later in the year now - October or November.

Oh Bummer.

oh noes, what happened?

My friend from melb got there application rejected and it looks like they are being really tuff now!!

Rejected for? They've always been tough on stuff like authenticity of payslips and such.

Don't ask what happened My mistake...

ummmm i think he applied for a highly skilled and then his visa consultant guy told him to apply for a working holiday aswell and they got the working holiday one almost through and they said that they didnt believe him or sometthing i dont know, was a tad complicated but yes now he has to reapply and it will take 4-6 months or something

I'm sending my ancestry app off next week. This thread is making me nervous.

Don't be, I think it's only the HSMP that's taking ages. My friend applied for Ancestory in April and it only took 3 weeks.

Yeah, it's the Home Office leg of the HSMP journey that is currently taking about 4 months.
I would leave as much time as you can to get ancestry though, as some wait times with the high commission in Wellington have stretched out to 5-6 weeks or so despite still quoting 20 working days.
Note that they upped the expected processing time from 15 to 20 working days in late April - I'm not sure if they've cleared the back log yet.

My HSMP took 21 weeks in total. (well over the maximum 14 weeks)

Apparently it was a bad time of year to apply, with the rules changing and all.
It is with the High commission now awaiting entry clearance. How long does that normally take. I wouldn't expect it to take that long, 4-5 weeks maybe??

How long is a piece of string...?

If you're lucky, it'll be back in a couple of weeks. If not, maybe 4-6. They have quotes for waiting times on their site.