Should my friend go for Tier 1 Visa or stay in Tier 2????

My friend is on a 5 year work permit for the last 4 years. He has a gap of 32 days between his visa expiry and his 5 years completion in UK due to which he will need to apply for an extension to his work permit under Transitional Arrangements for gbecoming eligible for PR.

With the cap on CoS imposed on organisations, he is a bit wary that his his organisation may not get the CoS required from UKBA. In this case and to avoid any potential issues later, he is contemplating applying for a Tier 1 Visa from within UK. He has carried out the points test and he will fulfill all the criteria by December this year. Getting this visa will give him 2 years stay which will guarantee his PR, provided rules do not change next year.

However, with the recent announcement by UKBA to grant CoS for extensions to all Tier 2 applicants

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... tional-cos

he is caught in two minds whether staying on the work permit will be a better option?

Seniors, can you please advise?

I personally was in this situation, and decided to switch to Tier-1. Looking at the uncertainty with the Immigration rules. I think it would be sensible to switch to Tier-1 as soon as you qualified.

It will cost your friend quite significant amount of money, but I guess it is worth it.

My friend understands the costs envolved, however, with the current focus on Tier 1 most likely to face even stricter conditions, or be done away completely by the government, my friend does not want to be in a situation where he gets Tier 1 and the government makes it tougher for Tier 1 holders to move to PR.

Seniors, moderators, please advise on this situation and the way forward keeping in mind the Tier 2 COS relaxxation for existing work permit holders.

What you are asking anyone / everyone is to speculate for the benefit of your friend! And speculation, one way or the other, is not going to help you or your friend!

The decision is for your friend to make, depending on the information available / known at the time regarding immigration reforms.

No one can tell you today what the govt. policy will be in the future.


regards