Tier 2 ICT to Tier 4 dependent Visa query

[anandpathak]

Hello Experts ,
I have a query from my friend and I hope forum inputs would be a great help to him.
He is on Tier 2 ICT Visa and his family ( Wife + kids) are on Tier 2 Dependent visa. He is in UK from last 1.5 years and his assignment is expected to complete in next 6 month thus he would be forced to go back to india by his employer.
He is trying to find some way he can continue his stay including various possiblilities.
1. Getting Tier 2 General sponsership - Easier said then done as its catch 22...Employer ask for Visa and Visa sponser asks for employers.

SECOND option.
As his kids are grown up now and his wife is pretty well educated, He thinks that if his wife enroll for a Full time degree course , she can get a Tier 4 general Visa (switching from Tier 2 dependent) where as He can then switch to Tier 4 dependent allowing his work rights.
My queries :
1. Is this a Leagal and Feasible route?
2.How complicated is this and how rigourous the Admission process is?
3.Is there any specific type of coourses to be registerd for getting TIer 4 Visa allowing work rights for Tier 4 dependents.
4. Will this Visa process need any Professional help or could be done personally without any agent. If no ..Pls suggest some Immigration Consultant in Reading.
5. Is there minimum duration of such a course and some categories of College which are allowed to give Tier 4 Visa and tier 4 dependent Visa

Looking forward to your help
Cheers
Anand

[Greenie]

It is not possible to switch (ie make an in country application to change one's immigration status from tier 2 dependent to tier 4 and from tier 2 to tier 4 dependent. The applications would need to be made from home country.

She would only be able to bring dependents if studying a postgraduate course of at least 12 months duration at a university.

[anandpathak]

It is not possible to switch (ie make an in country application to change one's immigration status from tier 2 dependent to tier 4 and from tier 2 to tier 4 dependent. The applications would need to be made from home country.

She would only be able to bring dependents if studying a postgraduate course of at least 12 months duration at a university.

Hi Greenie,
Thanks for your response.
Sorry to ask but are you sure about this as below is the snippet from UKBA guidence from applying within UK section
=============================
More information
Can you switch into the Tier 4 (General) student category?
You can switch into Tier 4 (General) without leaving the UK if you have, or were last given, permission to stay in one of the following categories:
Tier 1 (Post-study work)
Tier 2 (General)
Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
Tier 4 (Child)
==============================

Please let me know if i got this wrong in understanding

[physicskate]

UKBA guidence from applying within UK section
=============================
More information
Can you switch into the Tier 4 (General) student category?
You can switch into Tier 4 (General) without leaving the UK if you have, or were last given, permission to stay in one of the following categories:
Tier 1 (Post-study work)
Tier 2 (General)
Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
Tier 4 (Child)
==============================

Please let me know if i got this wrong in understanding

You have answered your own question. There is nothing on this list about PBS dependents. Therefore, they are ineligible to switch in country.

[anandpathak]

UKBA guidence from applying within UK section
=============================
More information
Can you switch into the Tier 4 (General) student category?
You can switch into Tier 4 (General) without leaving the UK if you have, or were last given, permission to stay in one of the following categories:
Tier 1 (Post-study work)
Tier 2 (General)
Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
Tier 4 (Child)
==============================

Please let me know if i got this wrong in understanding

You have answered your own question. There is nothing on this list about PBS dependents. Therefore, they are ineligible to switch in country.

Wonder... is Tier 2 (ICT ) and Tier 2 (ICT) Dependent considered two separate categories for switching?

[physicskate]

UKBA guidence from applying within UK section
=============================
More information
Can you switch into the Tier 4 (General) student category?
You can switch into Tier 4 (General) without leaving the UK if you have, or were last given, permission to stay in one of the following categories:
Tier 1 (Post-study work)
Tier 2 (General)
Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
Tier 4 (Child)
==============================

Please let me know if i got this wrong in understanding

You have answered your own question. There is nothing on this list about PBS dependents. Therefore, they are ineligible to switch in country.

Wonder... is Tier 2 (ICT ) and Tier 2 (ICT) Dependent considered two separate categories for switching?

Yes.