Tier 2 general -->PhD Student---> Tier 2 general? PLEA

Hello.
I am currently on a tier 2 general visa, employed with a university in an academic based role. I am also pursuing a PhD (registered as a student, but departmentpays the fees) within the same university. My visa runs out in July. However, My PhD doesn't finish until Feb 2014. Can I switch to a Tier 4 student visa to complete my PhD? and can I switch back into Tier 2 after that if I have a job offer after my PhD ( I have a job offer already)? Is there a minimum time requirement, to be on a student visa before I switch back to tier 2 ? HELP PLEASE
THANKS

pearl11 wrote:Hello.
I am currently on a tier 2 general visa, employed with a university in an academic based role. I am also pursuing a PhD (registered as a student, but departmentpays the fees) within the same university. My visa runs out in July. However, My PhD doesn't finish until Feb 2014. Can I switch to a Tier 4 student visa to complete my PhD? and can I switch back into Tier 2 after that if I have a job offer after my PhD ( I have a job offer already)? Is there a minimum time requirement, to be on a student visa before I switch back to tier 2 ? HELP PLEASE
THANKS

According the current immigration law, you can switch from Tier 2 to Tier 4 student from inside the UK. If you are a PhD student under Tier 4, you need to finish 12 months towards your study in order to switch back to Tier 2 from inside the UK too.

Thanks for your reply. But in my case, My PhD will not last 12 months. I really need to be on a student visa just to write up my thesis, which may last only 6 months maximum.

pearl11 wrote:Thanks for your reply. But in my case, My PhD will not last 12 months. I really need to be on a student visa just to write up my thesis, which may last only 6 months maximum.

You are allowed to switch once you graduate. 12 months is only for PhD students who are not graduated.

Thanks so much. So I can switch as soon as I complete my PhD even if that is 5 months?

pearl11 wrote:Thanks so much. So I can switch as soon as I complete my PhD even if that is 5 months?

Yes you can ...