APPROVED - Just submitted HSMP Application - Feb 2, 2006

I'm a new user to UK-Yankee, and hopefully will be around for a while (if my HSMP is approved).  I submitted my HSMP with confidence, but have since (naturally) become nervous that it will be refused. 
Details
Submitted: Feb. 2, 2006

Points:

• 35 points for Work Experience
• 25 points for Past Earnings
• 5 points for under 28

Total: 65

Evidence:

• Letter from my current employer (5 years as Database Administrator) for work experience
• 12-months of payslips (Jan 2005 - Dec 2005) and my original W2 for past earnings
• Color photocopy of my passport for proof of age

I realized that I forgot the "Covering Letter" after the application was mailed. 

I guess the reason for writing is just to say hi, pass the time while I wait for a response, and hopefully continue to outline  my experience with the HSMP.

Hello---and Good Luck!

As long as the references are originals and in the right format, and contain all the evidence necessary, then it sounds okay.

Good luck.


Victoria

As long as the references are originals and in the right format, and contain all the evidence necessary, then it sounds okay.

Good luck.


Victoria

The employer reference letter is the piece of evidence that brings me the most anxiety.  The opening paragraph stated that I have been working for said company since Oct. 1999 and that every position I have held with them requires "a Bachelor's degree at an accredited University or equivalent work experience"... it then goes to outline Title, Dates Worked, Description and Job Duties and Responsibilities for the three different titles I have had. 

From what I have read, whether or not a position qualifies as "Graduate Level" is up to the discretion (with some guidance) of the the caseworker.  Hopefully it will satisfy their requirements.

Thanks for the encouragement.

It sounds okay, but yes, it is up to the discretion of the caseworker.  However, don't worry if it is refused initially, as in these cases they sometimes are and are then overturned on appeal.


Victoria

Just for clarification, do you also need to have a Master's or Bachelor's degree to qualify for the HSMP?

Just for clarification, do you also need to have a Master's or Bachelor's degree to qualify for the HSMP?

You do not "need" to have a Master's or Bachelor's degree to qualify, though they certainly will help with acquiring points.  You just need to meet the minimum point requirement (65 for under 28, not sure what it is for over 28) and provide evidence, as outlined in the HSMP Guidance, that proves you earn the points claimed.  There are numerous ways to acquire the points (Age, Education, Work, Earnings, Partner's Achievements) and if the sum meets the points requirement you qualify.

Hope that helps.

Welcome to UKY. Hope your application process goes smoothly!

You do not "need" to have a Master's or Bachelor's degree to qualify, though they certainly will help with acquiring points.  You just need to meet the minimum point requirement (65 for under 28, not sure what it is for over 28) and provide evidence, as outlined in the HSMP Guidance, that proves you earn the points claimed.  There are numerous ways to acquire the points (Age, Education, Work, Earnings, Partner's Achievements) and if the sum meets the points requirement you qualify.
Hope that helps.

jola, thanks for the info.  I appreciate it. 

I'm a new user to UK-Yankee, and hopefully will be around for a while (if my HSMP is approved).  I submitted my HSMP with confidence, but have since (naturally) become nervous that it will be refused. 
Details
Submitted: Feb. 2, 2006

Points:

• 35 points for Work Experience
• 25 points for Past Earnings
• 5 points for under 28

Total: 65

Evidence:

• Letter from my current employer (5 years as Database Administrator) for work experience
• 12-months of payslips (Jan 2005 - Dec 2005) and my original W2 for past earnings
• Color photocopy of my passport for proof of age

I realized that I forgot the "Covering Letter" after the application was mailed. 

I guess the reason for writing is just to say hi, pass the time while I wait for a response, and hopefully continue to outline  my experience with the HSMP.

----
Update: 2/24/06
It turned out that they were not able to process my application because of a problem with the payment form.... (For those of you who are curious): I was paying by credit card and I was suppose to specify the valid to and valid from dates.  I obviously had valid to dates, but my valid from was simply a year on the credit card.  I did not specify a month in the valid from date on the form so they sent back everything with a letter to resubmit. 

This was actually a blessing.  It allowed me to review all the evidence and include the "Covering Letter" that I forgot in the first submission, all without charge.

I FedEx'ed the application (with a month included on the payment form) on Feb 20.  They received it on Feb 22 and my credit card was billed on Feb 23.  I have not received a confirmation e-mail yet.  Hopefully I will have a decision in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck.  I read that there is no refund of the application fee even if it is denied.  I hope that doesn't happen to you but just curious if they would actually do that.  From what I remember, the fee is close to $600.  That's a lot of money to lose. 

Yes, they keep your fee, even if you're denied.  My FLR was denied the first time and they kept my £350.

Welcome and goodluck Jola!

Yes, they keep your fee, even if you're denied.  My FLR was denied the first time and they kept my £350.

That's so not fair.  I could see if it was like $100 or less but even then.....

----
Update: 2/24/06
It turned out that they were not able to process my application because of a problem with the payment form.... (For those of you who are curious): I was paying by credit card and I was suppose to specify the valid to and valid from dates.  I obviously had valid to dates, but my valid from was simply a year on the credit card.  I did not specify a month in the valid from date on the form so they sent back everything with a letter to resubmit. 

This was actually a blessing.  It allowed me to review all the evidence and include the "Covering Letter" that I forgot in the first submission, all without charge.

I FedEx'ed the application (with a month included on the payment form) on Feb 20.  They received it on Feb 22 and my credit card was billed on Feb 23.  I have not received a confirmation e-mail yet.  Hopefully I will have a decision in the next couple of weeks.

Final Update
I was a bit concerned that my credit card was billed and I had yet to get a confirmation that they had received my application, so  I emailed them to confirm that my application had actually been received.  They immediately responded that my application was received on Feb 22 and that as of Feb 24 a decision was made and dispatched via the post.  They also gave me a number to call to get the decision (as it could not be emailed).  I called and found out that I was approved 

Now on to entry clearance....