Highly-Qualified Migrant Program

I currently have a 4-year temporary residency permit that is attached to a specific employer. I want to change that and apply for the HQMP. Based on the requirements I'm pretty sure I qualify. When I called immigration office, they said I would have to return to the US, apply again, wait for approval and then return. I dont relish the idea of going home for 2-3 months or however long that takes to accomplish!  Meanwhile I've seen adverts in local magazines that cater to Aussie and Kiwis that say they can get you a HQMP visa...for a high price...but you dont have to leave the country. Does anyone have any experience with those comapnies or know if its possible to change visas without leaving?  THank you!


Another Option:  Can I just get a spousal visa and would that give me the right to work anywhere in the UK? My wife has a 4-year work permit.  We're both US citizens.

Another Option:  Can I just get a spousal visa and would that give me the right to work anywhere in the UK? My wife has a 4-year work permit.  We're both US citizens.

if you don't end up going the HSMP route you can get a work permit dependent visa based on your wife's WP....it'll give you the right to work anywhere you like in the UK without restrictions.

This should probably be in immigration...


You can switch in country from a work permit to an HSMP, but you can't switch in country to a dependent of a work permit holder.

Victoria