Post Study Work
Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 General after your studies
Although Post Study Work closed on 6 April 2012 you may still have opportunities to stay on after your studies. Most students receive around four months after their course finishes before having to leave the UK. If your course has formally ended you are allowed to work full-time in a temporary job until your visa expires.
You can also consider making the switch into Tier 2 General (if you have obtained at least a degree at a UK institution) at any time between your course ending and your visa finishing. Unfortunately those graduates who have an HND will not be able to switch into Tier 2.
Tier 2
To be considered for a visa in Tier 2 General a company must be prepared to sponsor you.
Basic criteria a job must meet
To consider filling a post under Tier 2 the job must:
- Be on the Shortage Occupation List; or
- Pass the Resident Labour Market Test (this will be waived for those switching from Tier 4 if you have recently graduated from a UK institution) or the applicant must be a Post Study Work Transferee; or
- The job must also be at least graduate level and pay £20,000 per annum or the appropriate level for the job whichever is higher; or
- The job must be paying a salary of at least £150,000
Please see the UK Border Agency's Codes of Practice for more information on graduate level jobs and appropriate salary levels
Please see the UK Border Agency's List of companies registered to sponsor international workers
If these conditions are met then the company can issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (you need this to apply for your visa).