T4-T2 switch, startup in middle of licensing process: URGENT

[teafortwo971]

Hi All
Hope you are having a nice holiday season
I am looking for some advice/reassurance and my question is 4-fold

I am currently on a Tier 4 Student Visa that expires 22 January. I have been granted a job offer [signed temporary contract already] with a start up that does not yet have Tier 2 Sponsorship license. The job meets the level and salary requirements [have not yet sorted out the SOC code but it is 25k and a very highly skilled position]

My company began the sponsorship licence application process the week of 27 November and my boss is confident that he has ample time to secure my visa--I called UKBA yesterday and they said at this time of year the process takes 4-8 weeks. My questions are:

1/ is it possible this will all get worked out in time? I read so many horror stories on here about the licensing taking up to 6 months. Is there anyway to expedite it on my end? The company is tiny [2 people, no HR structures officially in place] though they have been operational for a bit and it is not the owner's first business-does their start-up status cause a major issue? I am not entirely sure if my company has hired a lawyer or not though I do trust he is doing everything in his power as I am now crucial to the company.

2/ If the process is finished at the very end of my T4 Visa's terms [say, the 18th?] can I still apply for the T2? Will I count as over-staying? I know UKBA will have my passport making it impossible to leave whilst they are processing my T2; am I overstaying if I am waiting for their answer for say, a month after my T4 expires?

3/ Is it at all possible to apply for the T2 if my company is still in the process of being licensed? I asked UKBA who said no but I have read here that it can be done.

4/ if everything is completed after my T2 visa expires, how hard will it be for my company to issue me a CoS from overseas. I am currently eligible for RLMT exemption but won't be after the 22nd; do they need to re-list the job to prove RLMT at the point or can they use evidence from the first time the job was listed, before they applied for sponsorship?


Thank you so so so much,
this has all been worrying me horribly and weighing on my mind so anyone with experience that can offer some advice or reassurance would be truly a gift.

[arts99]

what study course did you get your Tier 4 visa for? Have you completed the course successfully? Thank you

[Zack1234]

Hi All
Hope you are having a nice holiday season
I am looking for some advice/reassurance and my question is 4-fold

I am currently on a Tier 4 Student Visa that expires 22 January. I have been granted a job offer [signed temporary contract already] with a start up that does not yet have Tier 2 Sponsorship license. The job meets the level and salary requirements [have not yet sorted out the SOC code but it is 25k and a very highly skilled position]

My company began the sponsorship licence application process the week of 27 November and my boss is confident that he has ample time to secure my visa--I called UKBA yesterday and they said at this time of year the process takes 4-8 weeks. My questions are:

1/ is it possible this will all get worked out in time? I read so many horror stories on here about the licensing taking up to 6 months. Is there anyway to expedite it on my end? The company is tiny [2 people, no HR structures officially in place] though they have been operational for a bit and it is not the owner's first business-does their start-up status cause a major issue? I am not entirely sure if my company has hired a lawyer or not though I do trust he is doing everything in his power as I am now crucial to the company.

2/ If the process is finished at the very end of my T4 Visa's terms [say, the 18th?] can I still apply for the T2? Will I count as over-staying? I know UKBA will have my passport making it impossible to leave whilst they are processing my T2; am I overstaying if I am waiting for their answer for say, a month after my T4 expires?

3/ Is it at all possible to apply for the T2 if my company is still in the process of being licensed? I asked UKBA who said no but I have read here that it can be done.

4/ if everything is completed after my T2 visa expires, how hard will it be for my company to issue me a CoS from overseas. I am currently eligible for RLMT exemption but won't be after the 22nd; do they need to re-list the job to prove RLMT at the point or can they use evidence from the first time the job was listed, before they applied for sponsorship?


Thank you so so so much,
this has all been worrying me horribly and weighing on my mind so anyone with experience that can offer some advice or reassurance would be truly a gift.

@teafortwo

Have you got any update regarding your application?