update - the BIG plan

i think i have finally sorted out how the international graduate scheme works and how i need to go about applying for entry clearance under it. for those of you completely uninterested in immigration rules and/or extending leave to stay as a student, disregard this post. ACTUALLY, just skip down to the bottom where i will outline my updated plan to return to the UK (assuming you're interested in that. after all, you did open this post).

so, the international graduate scheme goes a little something like this: if you have graduated from a recognised UK institution after may 2007 you are eligible to apply to become a participant in the IGS. once a participant you may work, permit free, in any type of employment you like (including self employment) in the UK for up to 12 months. the idea is to encourage people studying at UK universities to contribute some of their brain power and talent to the UK before leaving.

applying for the IGS:

if you are already in the UK AND have valid entry clearance as a student, you can apply to extend your stay as a participant under the IGS. this is probably the easiest way to go about getting into this programme, because you do not need to re-apply for entry clearance: obviously, you're already in the country.

if you have left the UK but still have valid entry clearance it is still fairly easy to apply to the IGS... as far as i am concerned. if i am not mistaken, you would just have to return to the UK within the period for which you already have entry clearance and state that you are back to complete the duration of that granted period. while in the UK you apply for the IGS as though you never left the UK and presto you can extend your stay.

if you have left the UK and no longer have valid entry clearance, which is where i stand after 31 january 2008, you need to go through a few more steps. basically if you're out of the country you need entry clearance to stay in the UK more than six months - duh. but, because the IGS denotes that its participants do not require a work permit, it gets confusing as to which entry clearance visa to apply for. the answer: PERMIT-FREE EMPLOYMENT (form VAF2). the UKVisas website has the IGS hidden in its FAQs and guidance on applying for employment based visas... you just have to poke around a bit. once you've completed this form, secured proof from the university that you have in fact completed a course, and have paid the massive 200 pound fee you should be set.

FINALLY, i made some sense out of a lot of confusion - and no thanks to the folks at the british embassy or high commission i might add.

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AND NOW, THE updated BIG PLAN

as most of you know by now, i have only just started work... and it's part-time work that doesn't pay too much so i am not going to be able to move back to the UK before my visa expires. not to worry. i am still going over for my graduation at the end of january and, funds permitting, will stay about a month to catch up with friends and scout potential jobs.

upon my return i am hoping to go back to an old job (more information on that to come at a later date) to make some better money and get the hours i'll need to save the cash i'll need to afford the big move.

my goal at the moment is to be in england (either london or brighton area) by the end of september 2008. this goal seems very realistic to me, but at the moment rides very heavily on getting my old job back for five months or so... fingers crossed! all of this has me feeling really good at the moment and hopefully things will continue to work out.

i have my first special event at work tomorrow night: jamie oliver (aka the naked chef) is going to be signing copies of his latest cookbook for 300 adoring fans. i have no idea what my role will be throughout the course of the evening, but i am certain you will hear about it by the end of the week.