working holidaymaker into a highly skilled migrant visa

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working in the UK on a Working Holidaymaker visa and am looking to convert it into a Highly SKilled Migrant visa. I have a few questions regarding this process. On the official websites they say that I need to apply send the HSMP form to the Home Office in the UK and once that is approved and then submit that form to receive entry clearance from Ottawa.

Am I allowed to submit the first HSMP form before the 1st year of my working holidaymaker expires? (because it will still be another step before I receive actual clearance to enter the UK and work)

Once I do this, do I need to physically go back to Canada to get the entry clearance?

Does anyone know how long approximately each of those steps take so that I can plan when to go back to Canada? (assuming I have to)

I would appreciate any guidance that people have as I find the official websites very vague and unclear.

Thanks a lot!
Mary Beth

Hello Mary Beth,

I'll answer as best I can however I can't be precise as I haven't done the HSMP visa.

Yes you can apply before your WHM visa has expired but not before 12 months have elapsed.

As for obtaining entry clearance. It's dependant on whether or not the profession you are working in is one of the 'in demand' professions. There are provisions in place which will allow you to switch your WHM visa but only if you are involved in one of those specific professions.

As I recall one of the conditions of the WHM visa was that if you wished to apply for another type of visa you needed to return to your country of origin. At least that was what was included in my information pack when I first did WHM.

This is taken from http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Can I apply to extend my stay once I am in the UK?
You cannot extend your stay as a working holidaymaker. However, you may be eligible to switch into work permit employment after 12 months in the UK if your occupation is on the list of ‘shortage occupations’. Working holidaymakers can also apply to stay in the UK as ‘Innovators’. You can find out more about these schemes and a list of shortage occupations on the ‘Working in the UK’.

Hope that helps.