[Lilly]

I've been looking into the HSMP which seems pretty time-consuming, expensive, as well as being a bit of a gamble becuase the exact information you need to supply seems to be shrouded in secrecy. I've asked loads of questions only to be told "a caseworker will assess each case on its merits". And if you get refused and want to submit extra information, you have to pay all over again.

I'm wondering if anyone out there knows whether it's a great advantage, in terms of employment prospects, to be on the HSMP as opposed to a working holiday visa?

Also, does anyone know how easy it is to transfer from a working holidaymaker visa to the HSMP when you're in London?

Thanks!

[Bipolar Bear]

Obviously a HSMP visa is better than a WHP visa, as it leads to residency after 4 (or now possibly 5) years. A HSMP visa is easy to get if you fulfil the criteria. The requirements are not "shrouded in secrecy", there is no reason you should need to call workpermitsuk and ask loads of questions. The procedure is clearly explained on their website, and the forms are available for download and are very simple. And yes it is an easy process to transfer from WHP to HSMP while in the UK - I did it about a month ago. But I stress, FOR HSMP YOU MUST BE SURE YOU CAN MEET THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA, or you are just wasting £300. They are really cracking down on this visa now. Using an agency might help if you are borderline.

[Lilly]

I have read the guidelines and don't think they are all that clear on a few things e.g. how much money you need in a bank account to show you can 'maintain yourself whilst in the UK', whether, as an Aussie-qualified lawyer, I can work in my chosen field in the UK not having done the (very expensive) QLTT. I don't think it's unreasonable to want answers to these questions before I fork out over AUD 700 when, if my bank balance is beneath the 'magic amount', I get refused.

And an obvious advantage of the HSMP is that it allows you to stay in the UK for a lot longer than the WHV. What I am interested in, however, is whether it is difficult to get a decent job only having a WHV i.e whether the HSMP 'opens doors'.

[Bipolar Bear]

For the HSMP application I dont remember ever having to prove I had available funds to support myself. All I had to do was show proof of earnings for the previous 12 months. This might be different if you are applying from outside UK. I think when I got my WHP visa I had to show something like that, but it was only some nominal amount you had to have. I remember I needed more cash to open the bank account (£1500 or something).

Yes you are correct about employers being suspicious of the WHP since they have recently restricted it to only 1 year employment over the 2 year period. Basically if you are a single professional with a degree, 5 years exp, and have earned £40K in the previous 12 months (might be difficult in australia) you should apply for HSMP.

[Lilly]

Thanks, that's all useful. Applying for the HSMP outside the UK is a 2-step process. You have to be found eligible for the HSMP (which is where past earings are relevant) and then also apply for entry clearance (which is where you have to demonstrate you can maintain yourself in the UK).

[itmarketingpro]

is there any sort of strict procedure of verifying past employers when dealing with hsmp

[Bubble]

On the working as a lawyer front you dont necessarily need to do the QLTT. I work for a local authority (Council) and we employ Kiwi and Oz lawyers, we just give them an authority to represent us in Court and as long as they just call themselves legal assistants, or have a note to say where they are qualified in their signature, it has been cool.
Im not sure if it is the same in private practice though.

[Bipolar Bear]