Tier 1 Visa Extension: Umbrella Company ImplicationsVisa

[mrdonuts]

are all these posters abusing the system?

[administrator]

Thanks for the heads up on the email rd409, have removed it. I send the OP and email yesterday asking to clarify. If no news from him in the next hour or so I will pull the thread.

[rd409]

Guys,
......
Regards,
Neil

Hi Neil,
Just before someone starts flaming, do you really want your work email to be available on public forums? I would rather use personal emails. Also did you try getting the company details from Company house, and have exhausted all the means of getting a refund before labeling them "Cheats". I mean you said that this happened by the end of March, and it is just over a month or so, so clearly you need to try a bit harder.

Dave.

[neil01]

Cheat legal Services - UK Visas and immigration (company)

Guys,

Just for everyone's info, I had used the services of 'UK Visas & Immigration' (http:// www . ukvisaandimmigration . co . uk UK Visa | UK Immigration | UK Visa & Immigration Services | British Visa - [URL disabled by admin]) - to obtain a same-day appointment - PEO appointment services for my Tier1 visa extension.

I hired their services in late november for any dates between Jan 2012 and March 2012 . My visa was running out end of March 2012, and previous was on a work permit and had moved onto tier1 visa so could potentially apply earlier than others.

Despite the advantage of time on their hands, they were unable to get a same day appointment for me. To be honest, they rarely tried for it as I had to pay the full amount upfront!!!

So they waited and then asked me to send my docs for 'postal appointment'.

I had clearly hired their services only on their assurance to get a same day appointment, nothing else!!!

I could do the postal application myself as I had more than enough points and all my docs were straight forward, no complications anywhere, a simple slam-dunk case of tier 1 extension.

Further, when I requested a refund for their inability to get me a same day appointment, they wouldnt call me back or answer my calls.

Its been over 2 months where I have gone for a postal application on my own but this company has not refunded me yet.

Simple case of 'easy to take someone's money, but pains to return it back'.

For all you guys out there, looking for legal services, try avoiding them!!!

If you need to know more, feel free to email me - <snip> to verify if this is genuine or not...yes it is!!!

Regards,
Neil

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

I have a friend who went with an umbrella company who was able to get him a sponsor and was able to switch from tier2 ICT to tier 2 general in just 2 weeks. Went without any glitches.

Are you saying that the umbrella company arranged sponsorship from the company that your friend was contracted to Isabel?

[isabelhunt]

I have a friend who went with an umbrella company who was able to get him a sponsor and was able to switch from tier2 ICT to tier 2 general in just 2 weeks. Went without any glitches.

[rd409]

I need to apply for a teier1 extension this year
A question on the dividends and earnings

- Do I have to be the sole shareholder to claim dividends as my earnings?

Your income = your salary + your dividend.

Your dividend will depend on the shareholding. If you are 50% shareholder, and the company issued a dividend of 20k per shareholder, then your income will only be salary + 20k. You cannot claim your partner's share of dividend as your income.

I guess UKBA website has this information quite in detail. Also if you want further information, go to Immigrationboards.com :: Index

hth.
Dave.

[eek]

I need to apply for a teier1 extension this year
A question on the dividends and earnings

- Do I have to be the sole shareholder to claim dividends as my earnings?

I'll save NLUK doing the needful. If you look at the list of links to the right of this page there is plenty of information available.

You don't need to be the sole shareholder however as you need to meet a minimum income level dual shareholders may be a problem.

[anilmanu]

I need to apply for a teier1 extension this year
A question on the dividends and earnings

- Do I have to be the sole shareholder to claim dividends as my earnings?

[rd409]

ianal. working under umbrella is like being fully employed. working through ltd is also similar to being fully employed with your income coming as only salary in the first case and salary + dividends in the later.

ukba does not take into consideration investments, but dividend can be classed as income.

hth.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

There should be no problem working through an umbrella company with a tier 1 visa

[anilmanu]

I switched from a Tier1 PSW to Tier1 General using an umbrella company in Sep 2010
Was straight forward.

[Kylie]

Hi All,

I am about to delve into the contracting space and have a visa renewal coming up in June 2012.

I have been doing a lot of research on Ltd Company vs Umbrella etc and this site has been extremely helpful,r but my real questions come down to umbrella companies and the renewal of my visa.
vi
I would be very grateful if you could share you experiences on the following:

1) Extending your tier 1 sa (or any visa) while using an umbrella company. i.e. what company did you go though? did you have any issues with HMRC?

2) Has anyone had experiences of extending visas while using an "off shore" umbrella (often considered dodgy?!) was your visa approved/denied?

3) ANy horror stories/happy endings going though an umbrella and renewing your visa?

4) Any general advice for someone looking for an umbrella company with an impending visa renewal.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks

I've renewed a HSMP (old Tier 1) using an Umbrella Company, and a Tier 1 using a Limited Company. Both were successful first time.

Umbrella Company I used an agent, with the Limited application I did it myself.

Last time was Jan-10 though, so it may well have changed - but there is usually so much information in the guidance notes that it's hard to go wrong. Also check out Immigration Boards (Forum) as there are usually heaps of people in a similar boat.

Limited Company is a breeze - Umbrella Company is still do-able, but a little bit more detail required, but still clearly outlined in the guidance. I would avoid off-shore/loans/dodgy completely!

Both times I applied with Salary + Dividends, so I would question the above poster who said it makes it more difficult, I don't agree.

Also, if they make a mistake, you have 1 right to challenge, but can't submit any new evidence, only refer to the documentation you've submitted. So if it's their mistake - you can challenge it.

Hope this helps.

[Jet Setter]

Hi All,

I am about to delve into the contracting space and have a visa renewal coming up in June 2012.

I have been doing a lot of research on Ltd Company vs Umbrella etc and this site has been extremely helpful,r but my real questions come down to umbrella companies and the renewal of my visa.
vi
I would be very grateful if you could share you experiences on the following:

1) Extending your tier 1 sa (or any visa) while using an umbrella company. i.e. what company did you go though? did you have any issues with HMRC?

2) Has anyone had experiences of extending visas while using an "off shore" umbrella (often considered dodgy?!) was your visa approved/denied?

3) ANy horror stories/happy endings going though an umbrella and renewing your visa?

4) Any general advice for someone looking for an umbrella company with an impending visa renewal.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks

With an standard umbrella you should have no issues because the payments you're receiving are for the most part straight PAYE. The most important thing with your visa is to ensure that you've met the income requirement with ordinary PAYE. Dividends can be acceptable, loans or anything else are very risky from a visa perspective.

Bottom line is you need to make it as simple as possible for them to give you your extension. If they make a mistake and reject you, even if it's their error, you still have to pay a second time to reapply. Straight PAYE via an employer (even if this an umbrella) is the best way to make this happen.

Any standard umbrella should be the same. Just check they're sharp on giving you access to documentation when you need it.

[aussiecontractor]

Hi All,

I am about to delve into the contracting space and have a visa renewal coming up in June 2012.

I have been doing a lot of research on Ltd Company vs Umbrella etc and this site has been extremely helpful,r but my real questions come down to umbrella companies and the renewal of my visa.
vi
I would be very grateful if you could share you experiences on the following:

1) Extending your tier 1 sa (or any visa) while using an umbrella company. i.e. what company did you go though? did you have any issues with HMRC?

2) Has anyone had experiences of extending visas while using an "off shore" umbrella (often considered dodgy?!) was your visa approved/denied?

3) ANy horror stories/happy endings going though an umbrella and renewing your visa?

4) Any general advice for someone looking for an umbrella company with an impending visa renewal.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks