What is Switching? And when can a migrant apply inside the UK?

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
Switching is not an official term. Switching simply means changing a visa category while inside the UK, ie switching from one to another, such as from a Tier 4 Student to a Tier 2 General; or from Tier 4 to a Spouse visa. Officially it is called ‘applying for a leave to remain in a Tier 2 General category’ or ‘applying for a leave to remain as a Spouse of a UK citizen’. So, we can simply say ‘Switching from a Student visa to a Spouse visa’.
The significance of switching is this: switching means applying inside the UK and it is only allowed if the Rules specifically allow so. If switching is not allowed then the applicant has to return to their country and apply for a visa from there.
Whether a migrant can switch or not is a matter of the Rules. It has nothing to do with an inconvenience of having to travel to one’s country of origin just to make a new application can come back. If the applicant is trying to switch where the Rules don’t allow so then he/she will be refused a visa just because of being at the wrong place (even if all other requirements are perfectly met). 
Common examples when switching is not allowed even though the migrants are desperate to do so:
-          From a Visitor to a Spouse visa.
 
-          From a Tier 1 or 2 visa to a Tier 1/2 Dependant visa.
 
-          From a Tier 4 Student to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur (with exception of having funds from the specified sources which makes it applicable to only a small minority of the students).
 
-          From a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme (working holiday) to a Tier 2 visa.
 
And now common examples when switching is allowed:
 - From a Tier 5 YMS to a Spouse visa.

- From a Tier 4 Student visa to  Tier 2 General subject to specific requirements, such as that the applicant has completed a degree course in the UK.

- From a Tier 1 General to a Tier 2 General if the migrant cannot score enough points for a Tier 1 extension.

- From any visa to an EEA Residence Card.


For more advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com 

If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CDP website: www.1st4immigration.com/training  

Popular posts from this blog

Updated May 2020: UK visa work continues - latest update

By -
UK immigration authorities continue to process visa applications, albeit not as fast as they normally would. The visa centres are beginning to gradually re-opening from 1 June 2020 in the UK and abroad. Regardless of when your particular centre re-opens, it is still possible to submit your application online. If your visa expires soon, you can apply for your next visa "on-time", i.e. before your current visa expires, by making such an application online and then waiting for the further steps. This keeps you within the Rules and does not make you an overstayer.  Even better, the actual documents (supporting evidence) can be submitted later, thus giving you even more time to prepare while remaining within the Rule on visa expiry dates. We usually have 45 days to provide the documents (ie upload them online to the Government portal) after the online "submission" mentioned above. This is extended for as long as it will take to clear up the backlog.  If you...
Read more

🇬🇧 Spouse vs Fiancée visa: pros and cons

By -
Image
    How are they different? What are advantages of each of them? Our helpful table below gives you the visa options for partners of UK citizens. Spouse visa (including civil partners) Fiancée visa Marital status Have to be married (or get married) and apply for a UK visa as a Spouse. Can come to the UK, get married within 6 months and then apply for a Spouse visa. Where to apply? Can apply outside the UK, in a country where a foreign spouse lives or works (but not visiting). Can switch inside the UK from most categories. Only outside the UK This includes a situation where the current UK visa allows switching to a Spouse visa but the couple has to take the Fiancée route (such as if they need time to meet the Financial Requirement). Duration of the visa 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years. 6 months, then Spouse visa for 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years on Spouse visas only ...
Read more

UK Visas and Immigration plans to go paperless in 2018. If it works, family visas – for spouses, partners, children etc – will be submitted online instead of the current paper forms and supporting documents.

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
Image
How do we know? We, 1 st 4Immigration Ltd,   were chosen by the UKVI to take part in a survey to provide a feedback on the upcoming system. We are very honoured! As can be seen on the Home Office letter (pictured), we were selected as one of only approximately 50 firms in the whole country, following the request of the Home Office to the OISC. We had a visit from 2 Home Office officials in November 2017. What a great day and what a productive visit! The officials informed us they had been trying hard to promote the online application process for in-country applications, such as FLR(M) for spouses and partners of UK citizens. The online applications have existed for entry clearance (when applying outside the UK) for many years now. Yet the in-country online application process has so far been relatively unknown and unused. It can be found here: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes At the moment most FLR(M) and FLR(FP) applications ar...
Read more