People who already hold a valid UK visa can often switch to a Tier 2 work visa in order to remain in the UK and work in a skilled profession. The rules which govern switching vary depending on which type of Tier 2 visa you want to switch to. This section details the rules and conditions for switching to all Tier 2 visas, including the Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion, and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visas.
Sections
- Switching to a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
- Tier 2 Switching Rules for Students
- Switching to a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa
Switching to a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
If you are in the UK and currently hold one of the following visas you can apply to switch to a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa:
Tier 1 visa
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
Tier 2 (Minister of religion) visa
Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa (Established Staff sub-category), if you're applying to change your sponsor
Tier 2 (Intra company Transfer) visa (under the Immigration Rules in place before 6 April 2010), if you’re applying to change your sponsor
Tier 4 visa, or another type of student visa. Please see our Tier 2 Switching Rules for Students section below for full eligibility requirements
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting). You must be switching to take a job as a professional footballer, and you must meet the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) requirements
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
Innovator Scheme visa
Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme visa
International Graduates Scheme, or the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme
Business and Commercial work permit (except multiple entry work permits)
Sports and Entertainment work permit (must not be a multiple entry work permit)
You can also switch to a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa if you are in the UK and you are one of the following:
a Tier 4 visa holder's dependent partner
a Jewish agency employee
ground staff employed by an airline which is based outside of the UK
a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order
a nurse or midwife who gained their qualification outside of the UK
in the process of writing a postgraduate thesis
a postgraduate doctor or dentist
a representative of an overseas business
a representative of an overseas media organisation, including both print and broadcast media
a student sabbatical officer
Tier 2 Switching Rules for Students
Students in the UK can apply to switch to a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa if they are in the UK on a Tier 4 or other type of student visa, and have gained one of the following qualifications from a licensed Tier 4 sponsor:
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PCGE)
Post Graduate Diploma of Education (PGDE)
You may also apply to switch if you are in the UK on a student visa and one of the following:
a short term student
a student nurse
resitting an examination
a nurse who gained their qualification outside of the UK
in the process of writing a postgraduate thesis*
postgraduate doctor or dentist
student sabbatical officer
*PhD/doctoral level students must have completed at least 1 year of doctoral study in the UK
Switching to a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa
Only the Long term Staff subcategory of the the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa can be switched to. If you want to apply for a visa in the Short Term Staff, Graduate Trainee, or Skills Transfer subcategories you will have to make a normal application.
If you are in the UK and currently hold one of the following visas you can apply to switch to a Tier 2 (Intra-company transfer – Long Term Staff) visa:
Intra-company Transfer - Established Staff
Intra-company Transfer granted before 6 April 2010
Intra-company Transfer Work Permit (must not be a multiple entry work permit)
Representative of an Overseas Business visa, including media including both print and broadcast media organisations
In all cases you must remain working for the employer for which you were granted your previous visa.
Those in the UK on a student visa cannot switch to a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa
Further information, help, and advice
Workpermit.com's team of specialists has over 25 years of experience in immigration services, and have helped thousands of people to study and work in the UK and other Countries. We work with OISC registered advisers who can submit your UK visa application to the Home Office to be dealt with on the same day.
For more information and advice on UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com
