Switching ICT Tier 2 to Tier 4

[ProfessorRambo]

Hello Everyone,

Trust everyone is well. I would like to get some guidance on my case. I am currently in UK and have been offered a masters course for sep 2020 session. I have an ICT tier 2 dependent visa until May 2022 with my husband as main visa holder and would like to switch to tier 4 for which I have below questions, please :

1) UK government announced 2 years job search visa last sep 2019. Provided my course is for 1 year, Does that mean students will be granted for (1+2) 3 years Tier 4 visa in this case?

2) Please guide if its possible to switch to Tier 4 whilst in the UK or is it mandatory to go to Home country and get it converted? If this cannot be done in UK, what is the reason since below link does offer to switch to Tier 4 within the UK

https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/ ... -this-visa.

Thanks
Shraddha

[sah10406]

1) UK government announced 2 years job search visa last sep 2019. Provided my course is for 1 year, Does that mean students will be granted for (1+2) 3 years Tier 4 visa in this case?

No. Tier 4 for the course, then a separate Graduate route application for working. The only current information on the proposed new Graduate route is here:

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/201 ... ion-route/

2) Please guide if its possible to switch to Tier 4 whilst in the UK or is it mandatory to go to Home country and get it converted? If this cannot be done in UK, what is the reason since below link does offer to switch to Tier 4 within the UK
https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/ ... -this-visa.

You cannot switch in the UK. You seem to have misread the information at that link if you think it confirms that a PBS Dependant can switch to Tier 4. There is a short list of types of visa that can switch, and PBS Dependant is not one of them.

Given that you already have leave to May 2022, by which time your proposed studies seem highly likely to be complete, I am not clear what is the point of wanting to apply for Tier 4 leave anyway.

[ProfessorRambo]

Thanks for your reply and sharing that link. I really appreciate it and its really helpful information. I was not clear that we will have to apply with a new application.

For your question, Tier 4 is required because :

I am on tier 2 dependent and since the current market is not stable there is a possibility the main visa holder could be asked to repatriate (and along with that - all of us as well !!). This would jeopardize my study midway and I don't think not sure its legal to continue with tier 2 dependent. Switching to tier 4 will further enable my husband to continue within UK.

As the link mentioned (from point #1), it wont be possible to apply for a graduate immigration with a tier 2 dependent ..The prerequisite states having a tier 4 and this will further enable me for a job search for well beyond May 2022. wouldn't it?

Please provide your suggestions if there is any other alternate route or if there is a gap in my understanding ?