Welcome to HSMP Forum
HSMP Forum Limited is an independent, not-for-profit organisation supporting fairness in UK immigration policy and the rights of migrants and their families.
Named after the UK's Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), introduced in 2002, the Forum is known for its successful High Court challenges to retrospective changes affecting existing HSMP participants. Our work has included campaigning, representations and engagement with parliamentary bodies.
Affected by current or proposed UK immigration rule changes?
We understand that changes to immigration rules can cause uncertainty and concern, particularly for people and families who have made long-term plans to live and work in the United Kingdom.
If you are affected, or believe you may be affected, by current or proposed immigration rules or policies, you can email us at info@hsmpforumltd.com, briefly explaining your circumstances and concerns.
We kindly ask you to use email wherever possible and reserve telephone calls for genuinely urgent matters.
We appreciate that immigration matters may be stressful or time-sensitive. As we receive many enquiries and have limited resources, communicating by email helps us review concerns more carefully. Thank you for your understanding. Please do not send passports or other sensitive documents in your initial email.
Our purpose and current immigration concerns
HSMP Forum has consistently argued for fair, transparent immigration policies and appropriate consideration for people already living in the UK when rules change. We are particularly interested in the impact of changes to settlement requirements, transitional provisions and their effects on migrants and families.
Our historic work demonstrates why clarity, reasonable expectations and fair treatment remain important. Each new policy must, however, be considered on its own terms: our earlier court successes do not automatically determine the legality of any present or proposed rule.
Landmark High Court victories
8 April 2008 – Successful challenge to retrospective HSMP extension changes
HSMP Forum successfully challenged the retrospective application of changes to the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme affecting migrants already admitted to the scheme.
6 April 2009 – Successful HSMP settlement (ILR) judicial review
The Forum secured a further High Court victory concerning changes to the qualifying residence period for settlement for affected HSMP participants.
These decisions form an important part of the Forum's history. For full background, contemporary statements and original correspondence, please consult the historical archives below.
Historical records and documents
Historical archive: The following documents relate to earlier immigration rules, campaigns and legal proceedings. They are provided for research and historical reference and should not be relied upon as current immigration application guidance.
- Previous homepage – full historical content and original links
- Archives and historical press releases
- Resources and historical reference material
- HSMP Forum and UK Border Agency correspondence (last updated 2013)
- Documents relating to the ILR judicial review
- 2008 ILR judicial review permission document (PDF)
- Statements from people affected by historic ILR rule changes
- Historical tribunal and appeal material
- 2013 draft letter to MPs (Word document – historical only)
- 2012 press release on income criteria for skilled migrants
Immigration news and policy updates
For current developments and official immigration rules, refer to the Home Office and the UK Immigration Rules. The Forum's older statements and resources remain available in our archives.
To share concerns about a current or proposed immigration policy, please email HSMP Forum. We welcome factual information on how changes may affect people already living in the UK.