My story with getting Tier 1 work visa

Hello there, I just thought I would post my story about how I just got my Tier 1 visa.

I went with the Highly Skilled route - the point based system that allows one to get a visa without any sponsorship or pre-arranged employment.

I was on the fence about it for a couple of months and then suddenly in Nov '10 I found out that this scheme will go away in April '11. I thought that if a few months from now I do decide to go work in the UK, I better just get the visa - and not kick myself in the butt thinking "should have done it when I had the chance.

When I started collecting my paperwork I found a few things confusing. For example, the requirement for authenticating bank transactions which show your pay transfers sounds very exaggerated. TD bank only stamped the printed out electronic statements and I was very worried they might not be accepted. Second, I have a common law spouse and a son. Both would not be going with me to the UK, so when I filled out the application saying they won't follow me I was worried that this might be a red flag (how can that be possible they might ask). Then their English language assessment states you get full points if you are a National of {list of countries including Canada}. Which I am, but I am not born here, so I was not clear and scared they might not accept my claim of being a Canadian National. They also ask you whether the passport you are submitting is your first passport - which in Canada it is, but not worldwide as I am an immigrant here. Again - I put it is my first passport, but worried they may flag me. The last portion was the education - MBA degree received.

I filled out the application, paid the fee - which I found out went up about $100 bucks in the meantime. Scheduled my appointment in Toronto with worldbridge. It is relatively easy to get that appt. I could have gone the next day, but scheduled it at a more convenient time/date. There were no people in that office. The entire intake - with biometrics - took maybe 15 minutes.
I went on Dec 16th and was advised that the quota for that month was done and I will be processed in January. Not a prob! I was also told that the earliest I could apply is 3 months in advance of my travel - so I changed my estimated travel date from end of March to March 15th.

I received an email next week that my papers were received. Then a couple of days later I received an email that my application was processed and that I will be getting my documents back. I freaked out. I knew right away that means I was denied! First because the visas were not available until Jan and that's also the language they use when the decision is negative. I started trying to figure out in my head what documents they may have rejected - and how I am going to appeal the decision.

Then I received another email that said to disregard the previous correspondence. But notifying me that in fact my application was initially denied due to the fact that I did not submit proof of my MBA degree. They stated I needed to submit either original diploma or the transcript with reference letter. I only submitted the transcript. Now, reading the guide referenced - again and a few times at that - I did realize that I misunderstood that requirement. And seeing how on the application the check-boxes only say 1) award certificate 2) transcript 3) reference letter - you can see how one may take it as "transcript alone" would be acceptable. HOWEVER, I am grateful that someone in that office took a second look at my case and obviously knew that I have the degree. And they allowed me to send in additional proof for the degree. Right away I packaged up my diploma and overnighted it.
Because of the holidays it still took a few days to get there between Xmas and New Year's

Then on Jan 4th - first day after the holidays I got the email that my visa was approved!!! So, the entire process took less than three weeks and that's with about a week shut down in the middle.

I got my documents a few days later - DHL had it on the truck for three days and never made it to my house until the end of the third day! When I got the passport, the visa validity days were March 16th '11 - the day after my claimed travel date - to March 16th '13 - 2 years exactly. I was relieved because obviously I have NOTHING lined up there, and not even sure when I will enter, so I have 2 months+ to get that rolling without eating into the 2 year limit on the visa.

I was upset to see my MBA certificate come back wrinkled and even torn, which was the reason I was trying to avoid sending it in at all.

The only problem now - I am actually scared - what to do with this? Do I really want to go and work in the UK? Well, if I don't - I just spent $1300 to find out... and if I do - I won't kick myself after April!

Good luck!

The least we can say is that you were very lucky that someone from UKBA told you to submit another document rather than refusing your application. They don't usually do that.

Thanks for sharing your story!

VisaWise | Immigration Concultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk