Switching from WHM to Tier 1

Anyone familiar with this process yet?
I'm not sure if it's feasible at this stage, but I am considering just going to the UK on a working holidaymaker visa and switching to HSMP/Tier 1 early next year.

I understand I'd have to return to NZ for a while next year? Or would I just have to leave the UK? What are the time-frames?

From what I gather the changes they are making will include the need to leave the UK to apply for a HSMP, also I believe the cost is going up by a fair bit too. I doubt you'd need to return to NZ but bear in mind you're going to be without your passport whilst it is being processed.

This is all second hand info though so don't take my word for it.

Any word on when the new Teir 1 scheme will open up for applications?

I'm getting close to booking flights, one way to the UK with a 12 month stop in Canada.

Will be doing visa application while in Canada and would prefer to go striaght for the Teir 1 rather than faf arround like PFunk is having to.

Rumour is 30 June.

If you're hoping to apply from somewhere other than New Zealand, you might be shit out of luck

It's all pretty messy at the moment.




At this stage I think I'll have to return to NZ for a period next year. Not sure what that period will be, but I'm thinking of applying for HSMP as soon as I get my docs back and hoping I can just return for entry clearance in the NZ summer. Maybe fit in a road trip to kill some time or something.

I'll be applying from Canada, I know that I can apply for a WHM from there.

Hopefully they'll let me do Teir 1 from there too..

Where do you send your WHM application to from within Canada?

Oh and WHM won't exist after the northern autumn this year :-/


They don't make it easy

Try these forums
http://www.ukresident.com/forums/index.php?showforum=2406
http://www.immigrationboards.com/index.php?sid=cba992f6f9488f6252039a8cf23d59dc

UK Resident seems to be a bit busier.

Pfunk, my house mate is going through the same process at the mo, he said if you can get your HMSP then get it, otherwise you will definitely have to go home.

Also other dramas here are if you are contracting through a Limited Company (on a working holiday), once you go to apply for your HMSP, you need to take into account there could be issues on the count back on the tax etc you have paid.

Do they not have a High Commission there? It's part of the Commonwealth.

Sounds like it's a 'mare to switch to HSMP I knew it was going to be difficult... but not quite that difficult, heh. Hmmm.

Jono - I found out overnight you have to apply from your country of legal residence, which could be Canada if you're on a work visa there I guess.

Same place as the Canadians, their High Commision is in Ottowa http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1106750638169



They do accept applications from kiwis in Canada there plus I'll be on my WHP visa there, already approved, so I should be golden.

Oh AFAIK and the WHM visa becomes a Teir 5 at the same time that they open up Teir 1 for worldwide applications.

Nah Tier 1 goes global on the 30th of June apparently. Tier 5 not until Octoberish?


I certainly hope your visa processes are a lot less stressful than mine, RO!

Mmmm I think this may end up fucking me. What a nightmare!

Cheers PFunk

If all goes to plan we may wind up in the UK at the same time.