HSMP

Hello All,

I am looking for basically any suggestions or help on the HSMP.  I have done a fair amount of research on it and it looks like by December I will eligible.  I am going to apply for the under 28.  I am 25 now and of course 100% Yankee.  I will be looking for someone to actually do my application for me and present it.  I am currently living in Dubai and my application will not be as straightforward.  We have no taxes here so I am assuming I will have to give multiple support documents for salary.  I am basically looking for an agency to help with this application.  Any suggestions.  I am planning to be in the UK by Feb next year.  Thanks again.

Best Regards,

William

There are agencies who can do this but very expensive. Have you tried doing it yourself first? You may be surprised it is not as complicated as you think. Are you working in Dubai? I believe it is linked to salary not taxes.

http://www.hsmp.uk.com/

Hey jklm,

I am in fact working in Duabi and since there are no taxes it's harder to prove your income.   We don't get a yearly statement such as a W-2, I think that's what it is called in the USA.  I am assuming I could use the following: 

1.My salary is direct deposited into my bank account here in Dubai
2.I do get monthly Salary pay statements from my company
3. Could I ask my Finance department for a letter stating my total package? 

I thought it would be easier to use an agency as it is one thing I won't have to worry about.  Any suggestions.

Best Regards,

Billman 

Hi Bill,

Welcome to UKY.

I am here on a work permit from my company, but HSMP was my "plan B". You certainly can go with an agency if you like, but like jklm says, the paperwork is pretty straightforward. I was going to do it myself had I needed to. Have you downloaded the forms and done a walkthrough? You might find that you can spend that extra money on buying a round of drinks for us when you arrive than an agency. 

It sounds like what you can support you income claim based on what you've said but I'm not an expert. There is a person here named Victoria who specializes in this sort of thing. She will prob see this thread and add her opinion.

Best of luck!

Hello All,

I am looking for basically any suggestions or help on the HSMP.  I have done a fair amount of research on it and it looks like by December I will eligible.  I am going to apply for the under 28.  I am 25 now and of course 100% Yankee.  I will be looking for someone to actually do my application for me and present it.  I am currently living in Dubai and my application will not be as straightforward.  We have no taxes here so I am assuming I will have to give multiple support documents for salary.  I am basically looking for an agency to help with this application.  Any suggestions.  I am planning to be in the UK by Feb next year.  Thanks again.

Best Regards,

William

William,
The HSMP is pretty straightforward.  Going to an agency may cost well more than 1,000 GBP over and above the 335 GBP fee - which would buy more than a few drinks even in London.  Your bank statements showing your monthly income should be more than sufficient - they usually require either bank statements OR salary slips but not both.  To qualify, you just need to demonstrate earnings (based on nationality and age), education, experience and a few other categories and achieve a predetermined score to qualify.  Mine was processed in 3 weeks after submitting but I was already on a UK Work Permit so that's not necessarily the norm.  Could take up to 3 or more months while your passport is held, so don't plan any trips and apply early.

BTW, would you recommend living/working in Dubai?  I visited there on my honeymoon and hold it in high regard...

Best of luck.

Hey Jb007,

Thanks for the tips, it sounds like I should just sort it out myself instead of wasting the money.  I have about six months before I can actually apply, but I will be ready with all the necessary documents.  As for Dubai, well there are good parts and of course bad parts.

First the Good:
-Tax free- We pay zero taxes.  when they say you make 50,000 USD you really make it.
- We are in the middle.  Six hours to Europe, Seven hours to Asia. 
- So easy to meet people as no one is from here. 
Bads:
-the summer:  no one likes 125 degree weather
-the people:  a lot of people are just trying to show off with money and cars.  Really crazy
-Restrictions: From the alcohol to the internet.  it's restrictive.  We have one tax, alcohol, 30%
-Culture:  Next time go to the Dubai museum.  You will laugh for about 20 minutes.
 
Why am I leaving? 3 years, time for a change.  I love England and Europe.  I recommend Dubai only for a vacation, then leave.  Living is tough and with the extreme rents and shady landlords.  Skip it and go to Bahrain or Qatar!

Hiya

Although you may say I am biased, I would consider it a good idea to go via an agency.  Although the paperwork requiirements seem pretty straight forward, 50 per cent of HSMP applications are refused, and this is mainly because the paperwork is not up to scratch.  I have seem some crazy refusals of late, with the Home Office not accepting references as reflecting senior level, or not recognising work experience at all because the job title didn't seem right.  Many agencies charge less than £1000 (we do) and work on a no win, no fee basis, and most of my clients feel that they would rather pay the agency fee than risk refusal and having to pay more to the government for the appeal.

You can get a list of advisors from www.oisc.gov.uk or you can PM me.

Victoria

Hey Jb007,

Thanks for the tips, it sounds like I should just sort it out myself instead of wasting the money.  I have about six months before I can actually apply, but I will be ready with all the necessary documents.  As for Dubai, well there are good parts and of course bad parts.

First the Good:
-Tax free- We pay zero taxes.  when they say you make 50,000 USD you really make it.
- We are in the middle.  Six hours to Europe, Seven hours to Asia. 
- So easy to meet people as no one is from here. 
Bads:
-the summer:  no one likes 125 degree weather
-the people:  a lot of people are just trying to show off with money and cars.  Really crazy
-Restrictions: From the alcohol to the internet.  it's restrictive.  We have one tax, alcohol, 30%
-Culture:  Next time go to the Dubai museum.  You will laugh for about 20 minutes.
 
Why am I leaving? 3 years, time for a change.  I love England and Europe.  I recommend Dubai only for a vacation, then leave.  Living is tough and with the extreme rents and shady landlords.  Skip it and go to Bahrain or Qatar!

billman,
Thanks for the Dubai info and interesting recommendation about Bahrain and Qatar.  I'll have to give those places a try one day.

As for the paperwork, contrary to VictoriaS's comments from my experience, there really wasn't much of a problem or issue but could be down to my personal situation of transferring from a UK Work Permit to the HSMP and having already been in the UK for 3 years...

If you are unsure about anything call the HSMP team at the number on the application and ask them as many questions as possible before sending your info to them.  Take notes, get the name of the person you spoke with along with the day and time, write a cover letter outlining the info you supplied and the process and refer to the guidance supplied by the person you spoke with on the HSMP team.  It really comes down to your qualifications, experience, and income - if you achieve the prerequisite number of points to qualify there's little reason to be rejected if all your paperwork is in order (make sure you provide certified/notarized copies of documents such as your diploma, where necessary).  Also make sure you follow the instructions carefully (e.g., I believe it says to use BLACK ink.  Using blue or red could lead to application being denied.  I wouldn't doubt it).  You're American, have worked abroad, are educated, and have earned a decent income for a number of years so your application should be more straight forward for processing than another's from a less industrialized country.

There's a website with a lot of info and statistics that show Victoria's 50% assertion to be accurate but it accounts for the top 20 nationalities combined.  My guess is US applications would be a higher approval % than 50%.  Link:  http://www.hsmp-services.co.uk/hsmp_approval_statistics.html [nofollow]

You are probably right about the US applicants having a better chance of success.  BUt we have seen some crazy refusals of late - mainly on reference letters not being deemed as good enough - so go in for absolute overkill of everything to be sure of success.

Victoria

Thanks everyone for the comments and the advice.  I have decided to use Victoria's team to introduce my application.  As I am traveling almost once a week around the Middle East, I have little time to even sit down and sort documents.  I want my application to be done properly and be succesfull the first time. I will keep everyone updated over the next several months.  Good Luck to everyone

Billman