11171735
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« on: August 07, 2007, 03:10:32 PM » |
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I have a work permit visa for a position as a sponsored researched at a British university for the period Sept 1, 2007 to July 31, 2008. I have been informed that in addition to the visa, which I have in hand, I need an entry clearance before I travel. When I visit the relevant websites of the Embassy and the Consular Service, it sends me to visa applications, as if I didn't already have a visa. What is the difference between a visa and an entry clearance? Can I get an entry clearance at the UK Embassy (which would be my preferance as I live in the Washington D C area) or do I have to go to one of the consulates that specialize in visas (these are in LA, Chicago and New York). And is there a fee for entry clearance over and above the fee for a visa, which the University already paid? None of this seems very clear from the website guidance, and I hoped those who had gone through this process might be able to give me some guidance, for which I would be very grateful.
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the_walrus
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2007, 03:51:04 PM » |
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Are you perhaps confusing your work permit with your visa? These are two separate things. In my own experience, you need the work permit in order to get the visa, which also seems to go by the name "entry clearance" (at least that's what the sticker in my passport, which I know as a "visa" is entitled). In my case, once I had the work permit, I sent that along with my passport and some other stuff to the nearest UK embassy, which placed the visa/entry clearance in my passport and returned the whole package to me within days. Unbelievable efficiency...
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doctorwho
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« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2007, 11:56:12 AM » |
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And don't forget the $432 that you'll need to send along with your passport and supporting docs, in exchange for which you will receive unbelievable efficiency and a shiny insert into your passport. A word to any novice expat considering a job in the UK, negotiate the cost of your entry clearance visa (and work permit) into your salary package! For my family of 4 we're shelling out $1600 (that's like 40p, right?) for our visas. Thankfully my university is considering that a relocation expense.
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brummagem
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« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2007, 08:56:53 AM » |
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The entry clearance/visa was $162 + $12 shipping for me (in 2006 for a 5 year work permit). This site http://www.britainusa.com/will ultimately lead you to the application and instructions here: http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/As a sidenote, my passport with entry clearance was returned to me the day before my flight, a situation which is apparently pretty common (they have your flight date on file). In case you find yourself in similar circumstances, there's no need to panic. |
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johnalex157
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« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2009, 10:45:50 AM » |
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Dear Walrus....
I had been given an offer and i am waiting for work permit... you had mentioned something about supporting stuff... It would be very much helpful for me if you give some details about those supporting stuff....
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square
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« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2009, 07:37:31 AM » |
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You need both the work permit and the visa to enter into the UK. Once I received my work permit, I had to send in an official visa application with different supporting documents (passport, original work permit, bank account information, etc.) and a cashier's check for $432 to the consulate and they returned all of this a few weeks later with the visa in my passport. This gives you entry clearance into the UK. They normally stamp it the first time you come in and you are expected to also show the official work permit (so bring this all together with your passport when you go through customs). I was able to negotiate reimbursement for the cost of the visa. It's worth asking!
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lurkergirl
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« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2009, 07:40:29 AM » |
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Supporting stuff may be a little different now because they have changed the rules, but something like proof of earning the degree, documentation for any dependents, etc is what I'd expect to be asked to provide for getting the work permit.
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jasdeep
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« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2009, 10:44:14 PM » |
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I recently received my Tier-1 entry clearance. Can someone tell me what is the frame within which i would have to enter into the UK post receiving the entry clearance?
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« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2009, 07:39:00 AM » |
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drbeeper
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« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2009, 02:37:14 AM » |
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I recently received my Tier-1 entry clearance. Can someone tell me what is the frame within which i would have to enter into the UK post receiving the entry clearance?
I do not think that there is a time limit on how long you can wait for your first entry. If you want to continue to live in the UK after the Tier 1 expires, then waiting too long can cause problems for meeting the requirements of FLR. Weeks/months are probably not a problem, year+ probably will be a problem. Over the past few months there have been changes to a number of different visa programs making them harder to obtain. From my understanding this has resulted in surges of people trying to get visas under the old rules who are not quite ready to move right now. This could result in a glut of people barely meeting the time in country requirements of the next stage. |
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