I went to one such seminar today; it dealt with the procedure as to how to stay in the UK after our courses end. Currently the way out is to wait until our results come out (mid- to end of November 2010) and then apply for a Post-Study Work Visa which extends stay in the UK for another two years after which one can transfer to another tier in the visa list and AFTER completion of which one gets the option of becoming a resident. Of course this all implies that we do actually work in the UK as opposed to not!

Anyway, apart from that, the requirements revolve around money, of course, and having specific documents.

And one other thing.

I cannot travel out of the UK from the end of September 2010 if I want to apply for this visa from within the UK. If I do travel out, there is a very high chance that I will not be allowed entry again even though my student visa is valid till end of January 2011. It's a bit too lengthy to explain so I won't get into it (once the PSW visa is approved though, I can travel in and out whenever I like).

But the implied ban on travelling raised many questions, doubts and problems for me.

Do I want to work in the UK after my Masters? Is it worth it? Do I take the effort of keeping a constant amount of £800 in my bank (if ever in the 3 months prior to my application, my bank balance goes even a penny below this sum, I get refused a visa. Oh and if I do leave UK and apply for this visa from Dubai, I can do it, but instead of showing £800, I need to show £2800!!!)? Do I construct my trips to Dubai in such a way that my UAE visa doesn't get cancelled? Do I want to spend the £500 TO apply for the PSW visa? Logistics and money questions are spinning in my head.

I'm coming to Dubai in December and going back to UK in January. If I decide that yes, I want to take the effort to work in the UK for a bit, then the only way out is to come back to Dubai in July before 6 months are up, and hope that my UK visa gets sorted by Jan 2011 before 6 months are up for my UAE visa to get cancelled. And I need to figure out if my family can afford my stay in the UK for a few additional months (rent, living costs!) PLUS the £800 that needs to stay constant in my bank.

I'm lost...

And to add to this, potentially the Tories will come to power in the May general election here, which means>>>>>>>>>>>> potential policy changes! They could become stricter with these visas to be honest... what do I do then?

Much to think about and much to discuss with my family in a few days.