Switch from a Tier 2 to a Tier 5 (Government Sponsored) Visa

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice on my situation. I’m a post-graduate doctor from Australia pursuing further sub specialty training in the UK. I currently have a tier 2 visa by my UK sponsor for the duration of 6 months. Following this I have to change to another employer who has told me they can’t offer me Tier 2 sponsorship but they will support an application for a Tier 5 sponsorship through the Medical Training Initiative.

My question is, do I need to go back to Australia to apply for a switch to Tier 5 from my current Tier 2 visa? If I do, am I eligible to apply for a Tier 5 in the Tier 2 cooling off period?
- I am currently not pursuing any post-graduate research or a degree during my stay in the UK and the work is purely clinical.

My other question is, if my wife and kids comes to visit me during the period I will be on a tier 5 visa, are they able to come on the Visa Waiver program as we all have New Zealand passports? My understanding is that they can be in the country for up to 6 months without a visa.

Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.

Doesn't seem possible to switch from Tier 2 to tier 5 within the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-government-au ... -this-visa

Switch to this visa
You can apply to change (‘switch’) to a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange) visa.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility
You can apply if you’re a:

student, whether studying, resitting an examination or writing a thesis
student union sabbatical officer
student nurse
postgraduate doctor or dentist
Tier 4 visa
sponsored researcher who came to the UK on a work permit and you want to continue in the same job with your sponsor.

If I do, am I eligible to apply for a Tier 5 in the Tier 2 cooling off period?

There is no cooling off period to apply for Tier 5 from abroad. The cooling off period only applies to tier 2 to tier 2 applications if you apply abroad to change sponsors.

are they able to come on the Visa Waiver program as we all have New Zealand passports? My understanding is that they can be in the country for up to 6 months without a visa.

If they are able to convince the IO that they are genuine visitors and their stay is of a short duration (6 months isn't a visit it is classes as trying to reside). If you are in the UK on a Tier 5, the IO might expect to see evidence of their ties to their home country etc.

Thanks for your help!
Appreciate it.