Re-Entering UK after Studies are Completed

Hi all,

I'm currently on a Tier 4 (General) visa and want to go visit my family in South Africa. I have already completed my studies at Masters level, awaiting final grades. I received a job offer and the company is in the process of obtaining na unrestricted CoS. My question is will the CoS be sufficient evidence to re enter when I return from South Africa?

When does your tier 4 visa expire?

24th of January 2020.

The company wants to pay for the priority service for the actual visa application. We should receive the CoS in this week and the visa application will be submitted next week at the latest. We are aiming to fly out on the 22nd of Nov and return on the 7th of Dec. I know my Tier 4 (General) visa will still be valid. However, on all the guidance notes it states that one should not leave the UK before the switch to Tier 2 (General) is completed as the border force officer may deny entry unless you have sufficient evidence to show that one would not overstay or break any immigration rules. Will the CoS be sufficient evidence?

CapeStorm wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:19 am

My question is will the CoS be sufficient evidence to re enter when I return from South Africa?

See the Tier 4 policy guidance, paragraphs 273 and 274:

273. Once your sponsor has confirmed that your studies are complete, and you are therefore in your post-study period, you may do the following:
• Enter and leave the UK
...
• Apply to remain in the UK under an appropriate alternative route (e.g. Tier 1 and Tier 2).

274. Please be aware that if you do travel during your post-study period, Border Force officials will need to be satisfied when you are entering the UK that you will either complete the activity you intend to carry out and leave the UK before your visa expires, or that you will submit an in-time application to extend your leave in the UK. You should carry any documentation relevant with you when you travel to show to the Border Force officer if required.

The guidance for border force officers at https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... sed-system does not say what specific evidence they are looking for of making a Tier 2 application, but it would be wise to at least have a print out of the CoS. It's up to you what else you want to carry anything else. Maybe evidence that you will meet the 90-day maintenance requirement for Tier 2 on or before the date your Tier 4 leave expires would be useful, if you have it, although it seems unlikely to be asked for.

Hi,

Some feedback. We re-entered the UK without any problems. The border officer didn't even wanted to see my CoS. He said my current visa is still valid and that is more than enough evidence, this might differ from border officer to border officer. This particular border officer only wanted to know where and what I studied.