Awkward gap inbetween masters and PhD not covered by Tier 4?

[mjhennessy]

Hello

I suspect this is a fairly common question. The Tier 4 visa I obtained for my masters last year expires on the 2nd of April. However I've been offered a PhD position that begins in september. As I have a job, apartment and life in the UK I am fairly loath to drop all this to move back to the USA for 4 months. Getting another job and another apartment for only 4 months is going to be a waste of my time and money not to mention flying me and all my things back to the US (or storing them here?) is going to be another financial drain

Has anyone had experience with applying to bridge this awkward gap? It seems as if the Home Office will only allow you to extend if your new program starts within a month of the expiry of your old visa but that seems a bit silly

Please let me know!

Meagan

[sah10406]

Has anyone had experience with applying to bridge this awkward gap? It seems as if the Home Office will only allow you to extend if your new program starts within a month of the expiry of your old visa but that seems a bit silly

Your only option for applying in the UK is, as you say, if your new Tier 4 sponsor will bring the start date of the new course forward to within 28 days of the end of your current visa. It is also worth checking if the end date of your current visa is correct.

Otherwise, you will need to apply in your home country.