Changing from student visa to visitor visa

I apologize if the answer to the following is posted elsewhere, I could not find.

I am on a student visa which expires soon. However, I have quite a bit of stuff and also my friend just got a new job and asked if I could help her move to London.

Is it possible to change from the student visa to a visitor visa? Will I have to leave and come back?

As I do not know how long it will take to pack up my stuff and make the arrangements to have it shipped home, I have yet to book a flight out of here. Will I be accused of anything because I cannot show when I am leaving?

Thanks for your help.

tjrouill wrote:I apologize if the answer to the following is posted elsewhere, I could not find.

I am on a student visa which expires soon. However, I have quite a bit of stuff and also my friend just got a new job and asked if I could help her move to London.

Is it possible to change from the student visa to a visitor visa? Will I have to leave and come back?

As I do not know how long it will take to pack up my stuff and make the arrangements to have it shipped home, I have yet to book a flight out of here. Will I be accused of anything because I cannot show when I am leaving?

Thanks for your help.

Generally, you have up to 28 days after your leave has expired, to leave the country without possibly being marked as an overstayer. But BEST to leave BEFORE the visa actually expires! Doubt you can change from student to visitor in country.

This is what the Immigration Rules say:

"44. .... The requirements for an extension of stay as a general visitor are that the applicant:

(i) meets the requirements of paragraph 41 (ii)-(vii) and (ix)-(xii); and

(ii) has not already spent, or would not as a result of an extension of stay spend, more than 6 months in total in the United Kingdom or not more than 12 months in the case of a person accompanying an academic visitor as a general visitor. Any periods spent as a child visitor are to be counted as a period spent as a general visitor; and

(iii) has, or was last granted, entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain as a general visitor or as a child visitor."

Having been here as a student, you are disqualified from LTR as a visitor on both of the grounds highlighted in bold above.