Photographs

One may face problems, when the photographs are not to the specifications from HO as mentioned in the link below:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/pbs/193059


Lessons Learned:

1. The photograph should be as per specifications 
2. They should not be older than a month, before the application is made
3. Should ensure that one does not attach the photographs, which were used previously(For instance initial HSMP/Tier 1)
4. Advisable to take the photographs from a local photo shop, such as Jessops, Thomson, etc.,
5. Place the photographs in a small sealed envelope, together with those of anydependants included in section F, and attach it across this space with a staple or paper clip at the right-hand side of the  page/envelope.

How can you pay?

Home office would first attempt to take the Fees for the application consideration. If the Fee payment fails for any reason, the application would not be considered.

Here are the fee payment methods and some of the lessons learned as follows:

Methods of Fee Payment:


There are 5 different options specified by home Office.

1. Cheque/Bankers Draft
2. Postal Order
3. *Credit card - Mastercard or Visa (including Electron)
4. *Debit card - Delta, Maestro** (including Solo)
5. Cash – but only for applications made at a public enquiry office; please do not send cash by post

* If you applying in person at a Public Enquiry Office and wish to pay by credit or debit card, the cardholder must be present in order for the payment to be taken.

** Maestro - We can accept any Maestro card if you are applying in person at a Public Enquiry Office but only Maestro cards issued in the UK if you are applying by post.

Lessons learned:

1. Cheque/Bankers Draft:

Considered to be a safe way, if you have a bank account.

2. UK Postal Orders:

Considered to be the safest mode of payment, but comes out with a price. One has to shell out around £10 for £250 of Postal Order. In total, for £820 one has to spend around £35.

3. Credit card:

• One has to ensure that there is enough credit in the card. 
• Good to keep the company informed about the payments that are supposed to happen, so the frauds department does not block the transaction

4. Debit card:

• Similar to credit card, but should ensure that you have enough money in your account
• Inform the bank regarding the transaction

When one has decided to use credit/debit card for fee payment, one of the safest way to ensure safe payment for multiple application at the same time, is to provide different credit/debit card details for each application. So the possibility of blocking the card is eliminated.

Objective

Learning from others mistakes is considered to be a valuable one than experiencing himself. So I thought to summarize some of the lessons that the HSMP/Tier1 guys faced, while extending their visa.