The provision to allow Tier 4 students to switch to this route under paragraph 245DD (e)(xxi)(1) of the rules was
removed on 29 March 2019 from the immigration rules. There was no limit on switching from within the UK as long as you fit the criteria mentioned. You can see this paragraph in the archived rules in place before this date.
(xxi) as a Tier 4 (General) Student and, in respect of such leave, is or was last
sponsored by:
(1) a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a higher education institution from the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, the Office for Students, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the Scottish Funding Council or any other provider registered with the Office for Students; or
(2) an overseas higher education institution to undertake a short-term study abroad programme in the United Kingdom; or
(3) an Embedded College offering Pathway Courses, or
(4) an independent school,
Table 4 of Appendix A of the rules used to show the attributes:
(a) At least £200,000 is available to the applicant or their business, or has been invested in their business due to their activity, or
(b) At least £50,000 is available to the applicant or their business, or has been
invested in their business due to their activity, from:
(i) one or more registered venture capital firms regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA),
(ii) one or more UK Entrepreneurial seed funding competitions listed as
endorsed on the Department for International Trade pages of the
GOV.UK website, or
(iii) one or more UK Government Departments, or Devolved
Government Departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and
made available by the Department(s) for the specific purpose of
establishing or expanding a UK business, or
(c) At least £50,000 is available to the applicant or their business, or has been
invested in their business due to their activity, and the applicant:
(i) is applying for leave to remain, and
• (ii) has, or was last granted, leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Migrant.
Archived rules from March 2019:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 2-2019.pdf
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