Tier 2 Questions please

[ItsAWonderfulLife]

I am in the USA and intending to apply for the Tier 2. (I missed the Tier 1 general when it was open).

appreciate in advance for all the help!

Cynthia

Tier 1:
does anyone know if Tier 1 PBS will or similar concept will ever be back?

Tier 2 General
1. I want to time the job start date with the UK employer as to the processing time etc. How long will the Tier 2 processing take from the date of tier 2 application when applied from online from USA? From what I understand its 30 business days. I wanted to find out so that I can precisely predict the waiting time and also to book the flight to UK

2. Is there a way to find out of my Tier 2 application progress online? This way I can book the ticket before I officially receive the confirmation and save a few days time to start the job. (UK employers are wanting to start as soon as possible and are reluctant to wait 5- 6 weeks before I can start)

3. If I stay in UK under Tier 2 General for 6 years and at the end of 6 years I am still making over 35,000 pounds, can I still apply for the indefinite leave to remain in the UK? (I understand from UKBA website that you require 35,000 pounds/year salary to apply for indefinite leave to remain)

4. While I am in Tier 2 General visa, am I allowed to buy a house in the UK or is it prohibited?

Switching to Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Status / Application
1. Once I am in the UK under Tier 2 visa, am I allowed to apply for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa when I get my 200,000 pounds investment requirement?

2. Do I need to leave UK to apply for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa or can I do it while in the UK?

3. Let’s say I stay in UK for 10 months under the Tier 2 General visa and switched to Tier 1 Entreprenur visa at the end of the 10th month. I then get a 3 year Tier 1 entrepreneur visa and then a subsequent 2 year Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. Can I count the initial Tier 2 General 10 months towards my 5 year residency requirements to apply for the Indefinite leave to remain in the UK and apply at 4 years and 2 months of Tier 1 General or should I have to wait until my 5 years in total as the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa?

Investment Revenue / permission:
1. While I am in the UK, can I trade online on stocks, options and foreign currency via an online trading account?

2. Since this is considered a revenue generation from HMRC, am I allowed to generate revenue other than my Tier 2 Work engagement?

3. Could you please let me know the limitations for any investment or revenue generating activities while I am in the UK under Tier 2 General? I would like to know the legal / revenue limitations while I am in the Tier 2 general and working for the Tier 2 Sponsored Employer, so I don’t breach any UKBA rules.

[geriatrix]

1. Only politicians can answer such a question.

1. Guide to visa processing times.
2. Check if Worldbridge provides application tracking information.
3. No one can tell you today what the rules will be 5 years from now. For current information, see settlement and 245HF.
4. Yes.

1. Yes.
2. Under current rules, you may switch (i.e. - apply from within the UK).
3. No. Settlement as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant cannot include time lived in UK as a Tier 2 migrant (Table 6).

1. Yes, but only for yourself using your own funds.
2. As long as you do not operate a business of "online trading" but only do it for self to augment your personal income, you will be fine.
3.What can you do while you are in the UK?

[ItsAWonderfulLife]

Thank you for the answers.

I was wondering if one can operate a ''commercial" blog or website while on Tier 2 in the uk and it generates revenue? (its not shipping goods etc. simply a blog and possibly ad revenue). i wonder what the legal/technicalities on that is. i still have it while i am here in the usa and i dont want to discontinue the website


along with this, if i have assets here in usa now and if i sell them when i am in the UK under Tier 2, will it be considered a 'non-allowed revenue or activity? (i intend to use the proceeds of the sale of those assets towards my Tier 1 Entrepreneur application and I am not sure if the SOURCE of the funds because its from a NON-Tier 2 income if it will be permissible or allowed) maybe i am over analyzing this?

Cynthia

[geriatrix]

I was wondering if one can operate a ''commercial" blog or website while on Tier 2 in the uk and it generates revenue? (its not shipping goods etc. simply a blog and possibly ad revenue). i wonder what the legal/technicalities on that is. i still have it while i am here in the usa and i dont want to discontinue the website

Yes, if you continue to operate it in the US and any revenue generated is deposited in the US and such revenue is only taxable in the US.
Bottomline - you cannot register yourself as self-employed in the UK when here as a Tier 2 migrant.

Just as you can buy a house in the UK when here under Tier 2, you can sell a house in US (and any other assets) .. irrespective of what immigration status you hold here in the UK.

Tier 2 is relevant for the purpose of "employment in the UK", and for nothing more!

[ItsAWonderfulLife]

thank you for the answers

Entry Clearance Multiple entry or single entry meaning I may have issues if I travel outside the UK for work purposes or leisure and coming back if not multiple entry

Biometric test – I understand from the application guidance that
- during the application process you select a date for the Biometric test.
- Get the Biometric test stamped at the Biometric center
Question: do I have to wait for the biometric test RESULTS in the mail to be able to SEND the application to the New York office (applying from USA) or do they give you the results instantly? As I am concerned that if I have to wait a few days or more for the biometric ‘’results” my visa application timeline will be prolonged. So if anyone who had applied from USA can shed some light on the progress of steps it would be really helpful in terms of
 If they had to wait for the biometric test to send the application
 How long they had to wait for the biometric test date etc
 How long they had to wait for the whole application to be approved from the day of application

Banking
Does anyone know of any ‘’great’’ UK banks which treat new migrants well and are easy to open new bank accounts. Last time I checked with one bank they said we need your UK address etc first. I was hoping to open a bank account from here first if possible


Cynthia

[manci]

Entry Clearance Multiple entry or single entry meaning I may have issues if I travel outside the UK for work purposes or leisure and coming back if not multiple entry

"multiple entry" is a misnomer. It is actually only for people who are working in the UK but are based outside the UK. If you get an ordinary Tier 2 visa (which is in fact not called "single-entry") it will be marked MULT which means that you can freely travel in and out of the UK on holiday or business.

[ItsAWonderfulLife]

Thank you Manci!

Entry Clearance Multiple entry or
single entry meaning I may have issues if I travel outside the UK for work purposes or leisure and coming back if not multiple entry

"multiple entry" is a misnomer. It is actually only for people who are working in the UK but are based outside the UK. If you get an ordinary Tier 2 visa (which is in fact not called "single-entry") it will be marked MULT which means that you can freely travel in and out of the UK on holiday or business.

[manci]

Banking
Does anyone know of any ‘’great’’ UK banks which treat new migrants well and are easy to open new bank accounts. Last time I checked with one bank they said we need your UK address etc first. I was hoping to open a bank account from here first if possible

Generally UK banks only accept UK residents opening current accounts. This is for taxation and money laundering reasons. However, look at this article which is from 2009 therefore needs checking out:
http://www.connexionfrance.com/uk-bank- ... ticle.html

Also, although not "a great British bank" Citibank have a facility whereby if you come to the UK to take up employment you can open an account 6 weeks before your arrival but it needs the involvement of the employer.
http://www.citibank.co.uk/caw/employer/ ... ource=4043

[ItsAWonderfulLife]

thank you all for the previous answers:


Biometric test – I understand from the application guidance that
- during the application process you select a date for the Biometric test.
- Get the Biometric test stamped at the Biometric center
Question: do I have to wait for the biometric test RESULTS in the mail to be able to SEND the application to the New York office (applying from USA) or do they give you the results instantly? As I am concerned that if I have to wait a few days or more for the biometric ‘’results” my visa application timeline will be prolonged. So if anyone who had applied from USA can shed some light on the progress of steps it would be really helpful in terms of
 If they had to wait for the biometric test to send the application
 How long they had to wait for the biometric test date etc
 How long they had to wait for the whole application to be approved from the day of application