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ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Only for UK Student Visas, formerly known as Tier 4 (General) student visa

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hahahaha1234
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ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Tue May 21, 2019 11:04 pm

Hi All,

I am currently on a one year ACCA Tier 4 Visa, and would like to switch to a Tier 2 Visa. (I have already gotten a job offer that is willing to sponsor my Tier 2 Visa)
I do not hold a UK Bachelors Degree nor a masters.
I have already got a bachelors degree from another country, meaning i wont qualify for the Oxford Brooks Degree.
My Tier 4 Visa was to study the last 4 advanced level ACCA Papers, a UK Masters Equivalent.
Prior to this i have never been granted a leave to remain in the UK.

My worry is that my visa application to switch from tier 4 to tier 2 would not be approved.
Is this likely?
Anyway i can get around it?
Appreciate the advice.
Thanks.

sah10406
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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Wed May 22, 2019 6:48 am

hahahaha1234 wrote:
Tue May 21, 2019 11:04 pm
I do not hold a UK Bachelors Degree nor a masters.
I have already got a bachelors degree from another country, meaning i wont qualify for the Oxford Brooks Degree.
My Tier 4 Visa was to study the last 4 advanced level ACCA Papers, a UK Masters Equivalent.
Prior to this i have never been granted a leave to remain in the UK.

My worry is that my visa application to switch from tier 4 to tier 2 would not be approved.
As you appear to already know, you cannot switch in the UK, only apply in your home country.

See the Tier 2 policy guidance, paragraph 106:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... r-2-worker

See also UKCISA's guide to switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2:
https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information-- ... layer-6617 > "Applying in the UK"
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

hahahaha1234
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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Wed May 22, 2019 9:52 pm

Thank you for your reply.

As I have already gotten the job offer, from your suggestion i understand that i should apply for a Tier 2 visa from my home country?

Would this mean i would be subject to the RLMT? What are the odds that a RLMT for an auditor to be approved tho?

Has anyone with no UK Degree/Masters on a Tier 4 ACCA visa been successful in getting a Tier 2 Visa? :(

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Thu May 23, 2019 6:36 am

Is the role as an accountant or in another field?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Thu May 23, 2019 4:13 pm

Its for an auditor graduate role at one of the major accounting firms.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Thu May 23, 2019 6:57 pm

So you will be joining on a graduate entry scheme? Or as a full time trainee / professional practice basis?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Thu May 23, 2019 7:02 pm

Yes, a graduate entry program as i have already gotten a degree from another country and just doing my acca here

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Thu May 23, 2019 11:29 pm

Interestingly the only way you can be offered a tier 2 COS is if you are already fully qualified. The SOC is very clear in that you have to be either a chartered or a certified accountant/ auditor to be given a COS. As you are not qualified you can’t actually be given a COS.

So I am bemused why one of the top firms is recruiting you.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Fri May 24, 2019 11:42 am

Thank You for your reply.

Im thinking its because i currently hold a tier 4 visa, which generally means i should be able to change to tier 2.

Now i feel like its a dead end road, because i dont qualify to switch.

So technically, does this mean there is absolute no way (besides the RLMT) for ACCA Tier 4 students to be able to work in the UK?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Fri May 24, 2019 3:28 pm

Tier 4 to tier 2 switch without RLMT only applies to degrees and above. ACCA is not a qualifying course for RLMT exemption.
The issue here is what the training path is for those that are part qualified accountants, the SOC is very clear it does not cover trainees.

Ask for a written confirmation that your employer is able to offer you a COS under the SOC 2421 for accountants. I have the legal advice from the Home Office that the SOC does not apply to part qualified accountants.

2421 Chartered and certified accountants

Example job tasks
• plans and oversees implementation of accountancy system and policies;
• prepares financial documents and reports for management, shareholders, statutory or other bodies;
• audits accounts and book-keeping records;
• prepares tax returns, advises on tax problems and contests disputed claim before tax official;
• conducts financial investigations concerning insolvency, fraud, possible mergers, etc.;
• evaluates financial information for management purposes;
• liaises with management and other professionals to compile budgets and other costs;
• prepares periodic accounts, budgetary reviews and financial forecasts;
• conducts investigations and advises management on financial
• aspects of productivity, stock holding, sales, new products, etc.

Related job titles:
• Accountant (qualified)
• Auditor (qualified)
• Chartered accountant
• Company accountant
• Cost accountant (qualified) • Financial controller (qualified)
• Management accountant (qualified)

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Fri May 24, 2019 7:50 pm

Appreciate the info,

At this point i dont think i can get a written representation from the employer.

I think the type of SOC it would qualify as would be the same as any big4 graduate program. Fresh uni grads arent qualified accountants so what type of SOC would that fall under?
I think thats the same type SOC i am after.

Is it likely for the HO to be able to make special exceptions for cases like mine?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Sat May 25, 2019 10:03 pm

The HO does not make exceptions for SOC issues. It would not surprise me though if your employer issues you with that SOC On a COS in the belief they will not be tackled on the matter.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Sat May 25, 2019 10:45 pm

Thank You for your reply Frontier Mole, really appreciate the insight.

But back to the main issue, can they even issue me a COS because i dont qualify for in country tier 4 to tier 2 switch. And its unlikely that RLMT will be fulfilled?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Frontier Mole » Sat May 25, 2019 10:51 pm

At this juncture and given the circumstances you are stating it is not pointing to a successful outcome.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by hahahaha1234 » Sat May 25, 2019 10:57 pm

Thats unfortunate :(
So technically ACCA TIER 4 visa cant work in the UK as an auditor/big4 graduate positions as theyre not exempted from RLMT.
But thanks for your opinion anyway.
Really appreciate the thoughts.
I’ll let you know if the outcome is otherwise :)

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Sun May 26, 2019 9:20 am

Fact is, under the current rules you won't get a COS for a switch from Tier 4 to Tier 2.

In the December 2018 white paper on a post-Brexit immigration system, the government has proposed abolishing the RLMT from January 2021. So you might want to revisit your plan after that.
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Purity » Tue Sep 10, 2019 7:55 am

oh no im also doing ACCA at the moment thought it was an actual degree. Would you consider doing MSc?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by Ashish9 » Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:24 am

Yes u can. ACCA is equivalent to UK Masters Degree. U just need to contact with UK NARIC to get ur Masters equivalency . And then apply for visa.
Hope it works.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Fri Feb 21, 2020 9:11 am

Ashish9 wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:24 am
Hope it works.
It won't. The eligibility is a degree, not an equivalent qualification.
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by premsaikatta » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:10 am

hi all

I have completed F1-F9 in ACCA and BCOM in my country and want to pursue my masters in uk . So simultaneously I will try to complete my ACCA.Do you guys think there is opportunity to get job for me after completing my masters in UK and Will the employer sponsor tier-2 visa for non EU students like us in uk.?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:36 am

premsaikatta wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:10 am
Do you guys think there is opportunity to get job for me after completing my masters in UK and Will the employer sponsor tier-2 visa for non EU students like us in uk.?
Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 is in theory relatively straightforward, and will continue to be so under the new immigration system for skilled workers from 1 January 2021. Students will also also the option of the new Graduate Immigration Route from summer 2021, which will not require employer sponsorship.

Whether eligible skilled jobs will be available with sponsors in your industry is a different matter, and more about the economy or job market than immigration.
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by premsaikatta » Tue Apr 21, 2020 2:32 pm

Thank you so much.And what is graduate immigration route is there any requirements.?

Actually I have a offer in hand from the university for this september intake.In all uncertainty I will not be able to go in this intake due to covid-19 situation ,so probably I will be landing in UK for january 2021 intake and I will complete my Masters in Accounting and Finance in January 2022 .So do you think is it right time to go to UK..? so that I can get the job in the post study visa time of 2years i.e from january 2022
I am really worried whether investment in uk for masters is really worth it or not because accountants are not in skilled workers list in uk and whether employers gives the sponsorship for the job..?

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Tue Apr 21, 2020 2:46 pm

premsaikatta wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 2:32 pm
And what is graduate immigration route is there any requirements?
It does not exist yet but the government has published a detailed factsheet about their plans.

Google “Graduate immigration route factsheet”.
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by premsaikatta » Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:59 pm

thank you so much for my answer to my 1st query.But I think you did not answer to my 2nd query.waiting for the reply

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Re: ACCA TIER 4 VISA SWITCH TO TIER 2

Post by sah10406 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:35 pm

premsaikatta wrote:
Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:59 pm
But I think you did not answer to my 2nd query.waiting for the reply
That is my answer to your whole post. I gave a link to the detailed information about the Graduate route, so you can plan accordingly.
I do not give immigration advice. I refer you to Immigration Rules, guidance, other online content and to your sponsor.

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