And now the other shoe drops...

Late breaking news on this one:  

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=39609.msg545617#msg545617

and my formal complaint.

Apologies from the BBC.  And they have reworded the whole article so as to clarify that family visitors are NOT the same thing as bogus asylum seekers.  

You need to keep an eye on these people every minute.  

You need to read the document carefully.  There are some VERY positive points in there, such as the introduction of special visitor categories, and standard document lists for application, whcih would hopefully make the whole thing less arbitrary.  And although I don't liek the bond idea, I have less of a problem with the idea that if the visitor absconds the sponsor can't sponsor again.

I doubt that any of this, either than the reduction to three months, will have much impact on those there though.  I am sure the US will stay as non-visa nationals, although we might need clarification of this.

Vicky

Hypothetical situation:

I come up with £1000 to get a tourist visa to enter the UK.

Despite what I have told immigration, I intend to stay in the UK permanently, working illegally.

How long before I can earn back my £1000?

And can the same person who "helped" me get the money for the bond "help" me get a job and a place to live in the UK?

How long before I can earn back my £1000?

I would've thought they would give it back once you depart the UK, but I could be wrong?

I think she meant how long would it take for someone working under the table to earn 1,000.    Not that long I suppose, especially if you aren't paying taxes.

I think she meant how long would it take for someone working under the table to earn 1,000.    Not that long I suppose, especially if you aren't paying taxes.

Yes, that's what I meant.
I was looking at the cost-benefit side of things, and whether it would actually deter people from staying in the UK illegally.

oh! I figured thats what you meant! Sowry

Here's a new one.  I'm just now informed by ILPA that starting in January, entry clearance applicants on Tier 2 and below are going to be required to clear the maintenance hurdle *BEFORE* the entry clearance is issued.  The ECO can set the hurdle to anywhere from 1 to 6 months.  That's new.

 

We are not so worried about Tier 2 apps here in UKY, but holy ravioli, that's a totally new concept. 

What's a Tier 2 applicant?

work permit holders filling in shortage jobs. 

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_03_07/uk/government_reveals_immigration_points_system.htm

There's a strict maintenence test in with the tier 1 criteria.

I think it's a good thing.  *runs and hides from Garry*


Vicky

Here's a new one.  I'm just now informed by ILPA that starting in January, entry clearance applicants on Tier 2 and below are going to be required to clear the maintenance hurdle *BEFORE* the entry clearance is issued.  The ECO can set the hurdle to anywhere from 1 to 6 months.  That's new.

 

We are not so worried about Tier 2 apps here in UKY, but holy ravioli, that's a totally new concept. 

Could you clarify a bit on this? I'm curious how this might affect recent PhDs applying for postdoc positions, not necessarily on the shortage list.

Looking at the Tier 1 regs on this, it means that you will be told how much money you need in advance of applying for entry clearance. 

This means that you will need some money in hand before applying, and evidence of a place to stay, and you can't just rely on saying that the employer will accommodate you and that the salary on your work permit will be enough to accommodate you.

For HSMP applicants they are expected to have £400 for business start up costs, plus £800 per month for living expenses, and enough for three months.  I imagine that tier 2 (WP) applicants will need £800 to tide them over until they get paid.

Vicky

Looking at the Tier 1 regs on this, it means that you will be told how much money you need in advance of applying for entry clearance. 

This means that you will need some money in hand before applying, and evidence of a place to stay, and you can't just rely on saying that the employer will accommodate you and that the salary on your work permit will be enough to accommodate you.

For HSMP applicants they are expected to have £400 for business start up costs, plus £800 per month for living expenses, and enough for three months.  I imagine that tier 2 (WP) applicants will need £800 to tide them over until they get paid.

Vicky

Ouch. That's going to hurt people applying for postdocs. I don't think I'd have made it, especially since my grant ran out about three months before I landed a job.

I kinda think it is fair enough that they want to make sure that you can afford to live here until you get paid.

Also, I think it is better that they have the figures set out rather than leaving it up to the discretion of the ECO's.  We are likely to see fewer bad decisions (hopefully).

Vicky