If an individual currently has permission to stay in the UK under any of the following immigration categories, they can apply for a Tier 2 General visa from inside the UK:
- Any Tier 1 category
- Any Tier 2 category
- Any Tier 4 category except further education students. The individual must either have:
- Completed their UK degree and received their final results; or
- If they are a PhD student, completed at least one year of a UK PhD.
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker – creative and sporting) – note, you cannot switch from Tier 5 (GAE) into Tier 2 (General).
- dependent partner of a Tier 4 migrant – note, whilst you can switch from this category it will be treated as a restricted CoS.
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- innovator
- Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
- International Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme)
- Business and Commercial work permits (except multiple entry work permits)
- Sports and Entertainment work permits (except multiple entry work permits)
- Jewish agency employee
- Member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline
- minister of religion, missionary or member of a religious order
- overseas qualified nurse or midwife
- a person writing up a thesis
- postgraduate doctor or dentist
- a representative of an overseas business
- a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation
- student union sabbatical officer
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Connaught Law and authors accept no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Connaught Law. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Connaught Law.
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