I am on a Tier 4 visa and had completed my adaptation programme in UK. I have now been offered an employment as an RGN. My friends say that I cannot transfer to Tier 2 visa from adaptation student visa. Is it correct? What should I do in these circumstances?
Lini

Dear Lini,
The Tier 2 guidance was changed recently and it states that you need to successfully complete a course with duration of 1 academic year to switch into Tier 2 visa. They will only consider courses with a minimum duration of 8 months as a course completed in 1 academic year. As adaptation programme is less than 8 months it will not be possible for you to switch into Tier 2 category from UK. In these circumstances the options available are either to get an out country COS ( Restricted COS) and go back to India and apply from there. Otherwise you can join for a new course of more than 8 months duration and apply for the Tier 2 visa on successful completion of the same.
If you are married another option is to bring your husband as a student for Level 7 in a public college or university. Return to India and come back as a Tier 4 dependant of your husband and then you apply to switch as Tier 2 migrant from Tier 4 dependant visa as this is permissible under the rules.
Paul John

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