October 2003
Alexey Patsko ([email protected])
Following
my promises to share my experience in obtaining work permit for UK, I'm sending
you few notes which I hope can help you in deciding on the feasibility of your
application and making the application (if you decide to make it) successful.
General:
High
Skill Migration Programme is available for the qualified workforce willing to
obtain a self-sponsored work authorisation for the UK. The details of the
programme can be found at http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/default.asp?PageID=2754
If
successful, the applicant receives the entry clearance for UK valid for 1 year
since issued. It allows you to entry the country and to stay in UK for any
purpose including employment - generally, any type of employment (as I was told
in the embassy). You can also obtain the permit for your spouse or partner (if
you can prove your relations). As of November 2003 the application review fee
is GBP 150, visa itself is EUR 112. The total budget of the project also
includes costs for document translation and mailing costs.
Some
advices:
1.
Start preparing your papers early - you need certified translation of all the
evidences your are willing to submit. You do not need any additional proofs
like legalisation - in general, brits do not ask for legalisation of the
documents but french guys sometimes do.
2.
The more evidences and proofs of your qualification you can provide, the
better. Do not hesitate to attach the newspaper clips and publications you had
if you wish to demonstrate "achievement" you had. I made it but have
no idea whether they have counted my points in this category.
3.
Send originals of the documents - this is crucial. However, they accept
certified copies - I asked them about it explicitly and they said that they
could ask for the originals. In any case, the copy of my INSEAD diploma with
the green INSEAD seal and the hand-written certification (something like
"Certified copy" with the signature of my promotion administrator)
required no additional proves. If you are applying from the UK you even have to
send your passport (scaring, huh?). However, if you are applying from outside
UK, you do not have to send your passport.
4.
If you are not sure about your application or need the result ASAP, go to
advisor. A friend of mine used www.workpermit.co.uk - they managed to obtain
the permit for him in two weeks. They charge somewhat about 1000 pounds (add to
your budget!) and work on "no win - no fee" basis. If they take your
papers you may be almost sure they will do a permit.
5.
Demonstrate decent amount on the bank account. Nobody could tell me how much I
should show, I borrowed about 10.000 to inflate my bottom line, put them on the
account and asked the attestation (they make it in French banks even before the
transaction occur - right after you gave them cheques) on your current balance.
Mine was about 13 000. Apparently, it was enough.
6.
If your pre-MBA income was "white" (i.e. legal) try to get
attestation from the tax administration. In developed countries they call it
tax returns. HSMP office also accepts payment slips, so if you can make such
kind of papers (no idea on how they look like), it is better than the
attestation from the employers. I have been asked for additional evidences but
since I paid my taxes back in Ukraine it was not hard to get a proof of my
income from tax authorities.
The
timeline of my application:
over
the summer - prepared the certified translation of my diploma, transcript with
grades, marriage certificate (you'll need it for visa application if successful
with HSMP), copies of income attestation from my employer.
September 15
- sent the application by DHL
September 17
(fast, huh?)- they sent me back the request for additional evidences, which I
received only in a week. I have found out what they were asking me about and
launched the document preparation
remotely (I have somebody who helped me in
Ukraine) even before receiving the letter. I just
called them and asked what is the status (the phone number is +44 114 259 1113)
and they put me in touch with the guy who reviewed my application and explained
me what he wants
September 24 (or 25) I sent them additional
evidences with the certified translation. Called them almost every week after
it to find out the status
October 23 -
received the approval and all my document back via the mail
October 24 -
received a visa
You
may notice a huge gap between the submission of the additional evidences and
the approval, the agent whom I spoke to said they are dealing with primary
application first and only then (if they have time) they make secondary
reviews. Since the number of applications is growing, you may expect the
secondary review delayed even further.
Hint
- they said, you can ask for the priority review. You should send them a letter
with the explanation why you need the priority review (e.g. job offer, etc..),
but you should be credible and attach the evidence as they may inquire it.
Bellow
is the list of the documents I have provided them with:
The documents included in the package:
- Completed HSMP Application form
- Two
passport sized photographs
- Copy
of the passport
- Original
of the University diploma with certified translation (with copies)
- Original
of the University transcript with certified translation (with copies)
- Certified
copy of the INSEAD MBA diploma
- Copy
of the email certifying the scholarship
award
- Copies
of the reference letters from the employers
- Original
and copy of the reference letter from the last employer
- Original
and copy of the reference letter of the business partner
- Originals
and certified translation of the income statement at the last employer (with
copies)
- Reference
publications supporting the “significant” achievement in the chosen field (part
4)
Documents demonstrating my ability to continue work successfully in the
UK:
- Certified copy of the TOEFL test statement
- 2
copies of the CV
- Attestation
of the INSEAD Career Management Service (with copy)
- INSEAD
Career choice and salary report
- Fax
copy of the Internship offer
- List
of positions in T-Mobile International from the T-Mobile career site
- Emails
of the companies which I have been interviewed with
Documents demonstrating my ability to support myself:
-
Bank statement attestation of the BNP Paribas bank
(France) and copy
The
text of the attestation from CMS (prepared by Magalie and signed by Claire):
_______________
(name, surname) is a ___________ (month, year) MBA graduate from INSEAD, the
leading European business school, and is currently actively seeking employment
in the United Kingdom.
A
significant portion of INSEAD graduates is employed in the UK at highly
regarded specialist and management positions. With the MBA and his previous
professional experience, we are certain that _________ is in a good position to
find a high quality employment in the UK. We also confirm that Career
Management Service at INSEAD is supporting ________ in his job search through
our strong relationships with top UK-based companies.
We
kindly ask the concerned authorities to facilitate his job search by giving
appropriate work permissions
If
successful, you have to apply for your visa within 3 moths. At the embassy I
asked for the visa validity from about a month after the application (to make
it last longer) so the general conclusion - if you have enough points you can
apply for HSMP yet while studying. INSEAD MBA will not give you any additional
points over the master or PhD degree you have obtained in your home country. If
you wish, you can receive a letter from the administration saying that you are
"likely to obtain the MBA", but I doubt it can help you much.
Final
note. My remarks are based on one experience and though successful may be not
representative. You can visit the discussion board to ask your questions there
and listen to other stories. The link:
http://www.workpermit.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi