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Topic: EC from US ?
I am in process if applying for EC from US (online application) and I have filled online form and would be taking bio metrics on Friday/Monday.
My question is that what docs I am supposed to send to Consulate ?
Do I need to send any form ? I guess I just have to send them Approval letter , all the docs which I sent initially with my HSMP application and proof for 3 months for maintenance fund. Do we suppose to submit VAF9 form too. This form is similar to online form so I guess we do not need it.
So only form we need to submit is pbsappendix1 , right ?
Please let me know if we need to send them any other forms.
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Im looking for clarification on this too. Im appying for EC on monday, been searching through the terrible, terrrrrrible UKvisas.gov.uk website for about 3 hours now...seems all the information is scattered and muddled (perhaps so we will have to call the $12 hotline?).
So far, this is what I have found:
For EC from US you will need:
- Your passport or travel document;
- The application forms VAF9 (which holders of an HSMP letter can skip) and Appendix 1 (which holders of an HSMP letter only need to fill out the maintenance funds section in) with all mandatory sections completed;
- The fee as published on the visa fees page on this website. This cannot be refunded and you must pay in local currency; (paid via the online application on visas4uk.gov.uk I believe).
- Your biometric details (see below); (appointments made after you complete your visa application on visas4uk.gov.uk)
- A recent passport sized photograph (please note that photographs should measure 45mm x 35mm and be:
+ in colour taken against a white background;
+ clear and of good quality and not framed or backed;
+ printed on normal photographic paper;
+ full face and without sunglasses, hat or head covering (unless it is worn for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered)
(If the application is successful, the photographs provided will be reproduced on the visa vignette).
- All documents as specified in the Tier 1 (General) Policy Guidance as stated in the Immigration Rules. If you do not submit relevant documents, your application is likely to be refused as we will be unable to award the relevant points.
This information was taken directly from: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf21pbsgeneralmigrant#3905971
The "Immigration Rules" requirements (last bullet point above) can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/part6a/
It seems (in the case of the HSMP Letter holders) the only required piece is the letter itself.
The requirements for Ec under Tier 1 (General) are as follows:
(b)The applicant must not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal, and if applying for leave to remain, must not be an illegal entrant.
(c) The applicant must have a minimum of 75 points under paragraphs 1 to 31 of Appendix A.
(d) The applicant must have 10 points under Appendix B.
(e) The applicant must have 10 points under Appendix C.
....stated below on the page under transitional arrangements for HSMP letter holders it states:
(ca) If an applicant has made an application other than in India for entry clearance on or after 30th June 2008, and has submitted with that application a valid Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Approval Letter, the applicant will be automatically awarded 75 points under Appendix A and 10 points under Appendix B.
So that means we only need 10 points under Appendix C (which I think is the maintenance funds, no?).
Am I missing anything?
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Oh yea....for the maintenance funds, you will need to supply evidence. Seems like most people go the bank statement route, but i didnt want to chance it so I had my bank write me a letter (*read, I wrote a letter for my bank and had them sign it because they are lazy* ;)). If anyone would like a copy of the letter, send me a PM with your email and I will send it to you (I made a template, planned on posting it somewhere but havent figured out where).
The info about maintenance evidence for Tier 1 can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/general/supportingevidence/maintenance/
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Hi guys does anyone know how many months you need on your passport to apply for EC? I know that most american visas require 6 months validity left in your passport to even get the stamp. Is this the same for Hsmp?
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Hi Nicknaround,
Any chance your bank is Bank of America? Did you get it signed at the branch? I need to get one too, because I will be reaching the 3 month mark mid-October, I dont wan to wait until mid-November for my October statement. Can you send me a copy of the letter (minus your personal info maybe just blanked out)? My email is wanttogotolondon@gmail.com
Where are you applying for EC? I will be applying from NYC.
What did you do for proof of accommodations?
Hope to hear from you soon.
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Hi ricknaround,
Can you please send me your letter format at spattigilli@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Srinivas.
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kiko123:
Yeah, I think it has to be valid for 6 months after you apply for EC. I actually had about 9 months left on mine and ended up getting it renewed just so I didnt have to bother doing it in the UK.
waitingHSMP:
Any chance your bank is Bank of America? Did you get it signed at the branch?
Nah, I'm actually at Union Bank of California. I did it at my local branch (the one where I opened my account). To be honest, getting them to do anything that didnt have a prewritten form for (like this letter), was like pulling teeth. I got passed around about 10 times, so finally just went in with a letter prewritten and handed it to the CS manager and she helped me out (and even then, i felt like she was doing me a favor). I guess it all depends on the bank and how much red tape they have behind the scenes.
Can you send me a copy of the letter (minus your personal info maybe just blanked out)?
I will send you the letter i wrote. It's super basic, nothing that should scare any bank, but really all I feel is needed to satisfy the requirements. I should hopefully find out tomorrow whether or not it was sufficient, I will keep you posted!
Where are you applying for EC? I applied today using a visa expediting company called A.Briggs. So far they have been super great and helpful, and their fee is reasonable ($165 for rush service. Many are approved same day). They have a division in NY as well I think if you dont have the standard 5-10 days to wait for EC.
What did you do for proof of accommodations?
I didnt need to do anything for this (as it is not a requirement with an EC application from the US). Judging from personal experience, seems like it would actually be near impossible to sort out a flatshare this time of year before you arrive (at least in London). The students swarm and flats get rented the same day they are put up....ive been trying for about 3 weeks now! Anyhow, yeah, the only requirements for EC are the ones stated in my above post (which was taken from ukvisas.gov.uk)
pats:
Sent! Good luck.
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ricknaround thanks for the info...i may have to renew. Im like you 8 - 9 months! good luck
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So, I have one footnote to add for anyone applying from the US. Although a lot of the information is redundant (found on the online app as well), I was told today that the form VAF9, found http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/vaf9, is actually required. Anyone filing for EC would be wise to included it! :)
Ill keep the play by play going as I receive new information.
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Hi ricknaround
I will also be filing my EC from US in November. Can you please send me the letter format you have prepared.
My back Chase, said they can give me a letter mentioning average balance for last 12 months not for 3 months.
I guess, i will also do the same thing, write a letter and get it signed from them.
Please send me at er_ggupta@yahoo.com
Thanks,
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gg2008: sent!
To all:
Just got word from the British Consulate that my EC was approved. So that means the above instructions are correct if applying from the US (making sure you include the VAF9 form). The letter was also sufficient for the maintenance funds. The visa expediting service I used was called A. Briggs and they were located directly across from the consulate on Wilshire in LA. They have offices all around the states though, so if you have one nearby, i highly recommend them. The application for EC was turned into them this morning at 9am and I heard back from the consulate today at 2pm that it was approved. Amazing!
Best of luck to you all!
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Congratzz.....!!!!!! any thought s of preponeing the flight???
Good Luck...
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thank you :) Sadly, the flight postponement date was so far up because of the cost. Im flying American and when I called they said "hmm, ok, well, if you want to postpone your flight for Wednesday, the fee will be $1200. If you want to postpone your flight until next Monday, it will be $210. I figured I had spent enough money already ;)
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Do we need a confirmed flight ticket to be able to get EC?
flight isnt mentioned in the list of documents for applying for EC but
this site https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/Content.aspx?Tag=HowDoIApply_PAGE
says so:
Biometric Requirements
All applicants must bring the following documents to their appointment:
* Printed appointment confirmation
* Valid travel documents
Ricknaround - did they ask you for flight details at the ASC office where you got your biometric scan done?
What about others who got a scan done?
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no, a confirmed flight wasnt required, but I think it helps to show them. I included my flight documents with my application because it was urgent (and A Briggs said it would help), but it isnt stated on the ukvisa.gov.uk website that you need to include your travel docs (and the official websites are the ones to go by).
Another thing I want to mention is that I included a cover letter with these documents. this wasnt a requirement either, but i wanted to explain how I arrived at the decision to include what I included. I stated almost verbatim what I wrote above, just to make sure that if I was missing anything, that it wasnt stated on their website. I really think this helped as I actually received a phone call from the Consulate requesting additional documentation (the VAF9 form). I dont think they would have done this had I not included that letter.
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I'm not completely sure about the date at which I want to enter UK - it will be 2-3 months from now. Given the high costs of changing flight tickets, I dont want to book a flight.
So, wanted to know if at any stage in the process, do we need flight ticket? Does the Uk Consulate ask for one?
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no, a confirmed flight wasnt required, but I think it helps to show them. I included my flight documents with my application because it was urgent (and A Briggs said it would help), but it isnt stated on the ukvisa.gov.uk website that you need to include your travel docs (and the official websites are the ones to go by).
Good to know..
I really think this helped as I actually received a phone call from the Consulate requesting additional documentation (the VAF9 form). I dont think they would have done this had I not included that letter.
Hmm..thats a bit strange because the online application form already covers most of the things asked in VAF9.
I just called the hotline and paid 12$. They are going to email me what I need to submit - let's see what they come up with. |
Beware of the hotline. I called them a few times and they werent even knowledgeable enough to give me suggestions (one time they actually gave me what i found out later was bad advice and I had to email to get my money back). They actually told me during one call that they didnt know something because Home Office hadnt updated the website yet (which makes me think they really dont know more than what we can all see on the site).
I thought including the VAF9 was a bit off as well, but the consulate called me requesting it, so i obliged. He even said on the phone that he knew it was mostly redundant, but that they still needed it. Best of luck.
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Hi,
I have got HSMP approval and am planning to apply for EC. My question is regarding funds maintenance. I have funds maintained in two seperate accounts - one account is in my name and another account is in my wife's name. I am planning to go with my wife and my son. So I have been maintaining GBP 2800 + 1600 in my account and another 1600 in my wife's account. Is this OK for EC? I mean having funds in my account and my wife's account? Or do they all need to be in my account only?
thanks,
Advait
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ricknaround,
Thanks again.
I found the following in one of the pdf documents on HO site -
If the Tier 1 migrant (the main applicant) is outside the United Kingdom or has been present in the United Kingdom for less than 12 months, the family member of the Tier 1 migrant must show that he/she, the main applicant, or (for children) his/her
other parent who is also legally present in the United Kingdom has at least £1600 to support the family member in addition to any funds the main applicant needs to prove he/she has enough money to support himself/herself.
As I understand the above, as long as she (i.e. my wife) is able to show funds in her name. As I have my mainteance funds in my account and she has additional amount to take care of her maintenance funds, I think it should be OK. Am I right in assuming so?
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks,
Advait
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my us visa is going 2 expire in october but i got I95 extension up2 three years from now..do i have to apply for my visa stamped on my passport befor i apply for my EC..help will be appreciated..
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Hi pkseepat,
I think you've accidentally posted your question in the wrong forum! This thread is a UK visa based thread relating to Entry Clearance to the Uk from the US. :) Might want to try the USA discussion forums.
Sorry!
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Hi pkseepat,
I guess you have your VISA extended, in which case you a legal resident in US.
EC requirement is you need to show your legel resident document, which is your extended Visa document.
In this scenario,I think you can need not get your US Visa stamped inorder to apply for UK Visa, it is enough if you have your extended visa document.
Seniors - correct me if I am wrong.
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hey pats thanks a lott for the reply, in which case i need to send extended visa document with my EC application..
ricknaround-planning to applying for my EC hsmp, i have my H1B VISA stamped on my passport till october and extended visa document till 3 yrs..
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Hey ricknaround, can you please send me your letter format at pks.java@gmail.com thanks
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hey rickaround I hope all is well. I am expecting an approval any day now. Can you send me your letter template to kiko19401@hotmail.com. thanks
The other questions I had were
1) For biometrics, how long does the process take to get an appointment.
2) the Passport size photos they want Two passport-size photographs (45mmx 35mm)....this is L x W correct? (i know this is stupid question) but i want to make sure.
thanks!
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guys another question for you....whats the difference between VAF9 and pbsappendix1......??? Im not getting it....pbdappendix 1 says VAF9 on it????? can you guys clarify! thanks
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kiko: letter sent!
1) I applied for my biometrics appt on a Monday and wasnt able to get in until Thursday. I really think it depends on the facility and how busy they are. I wanted to go back and try and switch my appointment (later that same monday) and the Thursday appts were all booked. I actually just walked in on Tuesday _right when the facility opened and they let me do it same day because of my situation (but i wouldnt recommend trying that unless you are desperate).
2) hah, i didnt know either so I included both formats! When I got to A.Briggs in LA, they told me that the consulate isnt very picky about that (and i actually saw an application for EC on the desk that had a passport size photo). They ended up using the portrait size photo (45mm tall by 35mm wide).
VAF9:http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/vaf9
Appendix 1: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/pbsappendix1
They might be similar, but sadly, both are required ;/
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thanks!! your the man I got my application approved! i just found out! In your opinion did A briggs make a difference in getting your EC approved so quickly..?? How much do they cost???
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A. Briggs was my savvvior. I couldnt recommend them enough, seriously (and im not affiliated with them at all). I got my EC the same day it was submitted, craziness! It was $165 for expedited service (same day). To be honest, I think that they can actually sometimes get Tier 1 applications back in a few days. Had I known!!!
Congrats on your approval! :)
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My HSMP got Approved...am planning to go for EC on August 2nd week...but the prbs is my company is forcing me to go to US for a year....Can i apply from US....what are all the documets that we have to submit if we can apply from US...can anyone help me in this case..
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Hey guys,
Does anybody know what is the fee for EC from USA? On the website it is little confusing. I guess it is either 205 or 600.
I got my approval today and i am under HSMP applied on 16 june.
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Hello,
I had called the help line twice and I am not sure how all the documents will be returned back.
The person on the phone asked me to submit money order worth $12.00 so that my documents are couriered back safe. The person asked me to send 3 DD of $12.00 each (for myself, my wife and my son). It does not make any sense because all three of us are applying together.
Does any one know about the $12.00 Demand Draft required for having documents returned.
Thank you,
Vexa
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You can pay that with CC in the online application. Paying fees is the last step. As ricknaround also experienced, the help line guys dont know much. I wasted my 12$ too with them.
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If you are applying under the transitional arrangements (you applied HSMP), then you pay $400 I believe (£200 on HSMP vs £600 on Tier 1). I didnt doubt check, but from the US, you do the application, make the biotmetrics appt, and pay all online (visas4uk.gov.uk). If you read the beginning of this post, it should pretty much be step by step. Let me know if I left anything out!
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Hi doesn anyone know where the biometric centers are located in the US. I have been told they are 120, but until you finish the application it doesnt let you know. Im waiting for my papers and cannot seem to find a site that lets you know where the nearest biometric center is? thanks for your help!
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Strange :? when i finished my online application, the very next step was to make an appointment. They dont tell you that it is for Biometrics, but that is indeed what it is for.
Im not sure you will be able to make an appointment any other way to be honest, but if you are just looking for your nearest office, you should be able to find it here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC
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Hi,
does anyone know how long it takes for EC from Los Angeles office? My documents were received on 29th Sep and still no response from them.
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turn around time can take up to two weeks I believe, you should be hearing from them soon Im sure.
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Hi ricknaround I may be pushed for time...can A briggs speed up the turnaround in any office (I will be in chicago) to 24 hrs? Do i need a plane ticket and does it have to be close to the date of submission? If i do not have a plane ticket aldready brought can i still use A briggs? thanks
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It really depends on how busy the consulate is, but they should be fine now (all the students are in the UK and have started Uni ;)). I was told that a plane ticket does help, but isnt necessary. If you arent trying to make a flight though, I might suggest doing a 2 day service or something similar (also done by A Briggs). Costs less and is still fast :) The reason I requested same day service was because of a tight flight situation (which I didnt end up making, but it was still nice to not have to worry I guess).
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awesome thanks....im not sure how they can turn stuff around so quickly....I mean do they have contacts in the embassy. I have a lawyer but even she cant do it as quick.
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Yeah, i didnt know either, but my guess is that they (and others like them), pay a fixed fee per year to have priority access to the consulate. As far as I know (at least in LA), applicants aren't even allowed to hand deliver their application, has to be mailed!
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Hello!
First, I have to say thank you for being so helpful to all of us here!!!
When you get a chance, can you please email me the bank template you have created?
Many thanks!
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my pleasure! sending now :)
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Hello!
Do we need to include the documetns we had originally enclosed with the HSMP application?
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No. Only approval letter.
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