Tier 4 to Tier 2, start job before degree is conferred?

[cass12345]

Hello there,

I am here under an extended tier 4 visa, granting 6 months at the end of my course. So my tier 4 visa expires end of December 2017.

I want to start a job and switch to a tier 2 visa. However, the degree conferring meeting isn't happening until end of September, hence no letter to submit for the visa. I finished the course end of June.

Should I still apply for jobs and start working under my tier 4, non-term time working rights -- then when I get the letter in Sept, apply for the visa to stay?

Or, should I work a temporary job until then -- how would I go about doing that?

I'm so confused!! I thought this was an easy switch.

ps: how do you go about telling an employer all of this stuff? Are they non immediately uninterested due to the logistics. I studied at Cambridge, do I have a shot?

[lunallena]

You can start working with your Tier4 up to 20 hours per week. You will need the letter from the University confirming your degree in order to apply for Tier2. You can ask your employer whether you can start working part time and then in September apply for Tier2 and go full time.

[Blattes]

You have plenty of time to switch from september till your visa ends. You can get your documents ready till then, if company does not have licence they should apply for one. Sort out your soc code and job description etc. You can still work 20h per werk with tier4. And then as soon as you get your degree, apply for premium and you can have tier2 most likely in one day. I did the same, it went pretty smooth. You just need to tell your employer that you can only work 20h per week and see how it works out for them, most of the employees are ok with it since it gives them time to know more about you.