I made an application but it was not decided before my previous visa expired. Am I an illegal immigrant?
If you submitted your application before your current visa expired then your previous visa automatically extends for as long as it takes to make a decision on your new application, however long it will take. This happens under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. In this case all conditions of the previous visa continue to apply until decision has been made on the new application. Switching from Tier 2 to a Spouse/Partner visa , such as if you don’t want to work for your Tier 2 Sponsor anymore. Until decision has been made, your status remains Tier 2, so you have to continue to comply with its conditions. Many choose same-day service for such switches because there is no risk of an employer finding out earlier than you want them to. Switching from Tier 4 to another visa: your conditions of stay remain as on Tier 4 until decision has been made on your next visa. If your Tier 4 visa allowed to work then you could keep working, same as before (usually part-time during the te