Appling for tier 2 whilst holding tier 5

[johnzl]

Hi All,
Thank you for your time. I’m an Australian working in the UK under tier 5, which is due to expire May next year. My wife holds a tier 2 sponsored visa. I have two options to stay, apply for a tier 2 sponsored by my work or tier 2 dependent. I have couple of questions hoping your experience will help with my decision:

1. Is it easier/quicker to apply for a tier 2 sponsored or tier 2 dependent?
2. Do I have to be out of the country to change from a tier 5 to tier 2 sponsored or dependent visa? If I must leave the country to apply what are things I can do to ensure my leave is short as possible?

It is our intension to stay for couple more years as we are enjoying our traveling and work, so your advice is much appreciated.

All the best,
John

[Lucapooka]

1. Purely in terms of the amount of bureaucratic hoops you have to jumps through, it's easier to apply as a PBS dependant. But a person who qualifies for a T2 migrant might consider that as easy.

2. Either application can only be made from outside the UK. Unless you are switching to T2 migrant having been in the UK as Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the Creative and Sporting sub-category, for a job as a professional footballer switching into Tier 2 (Sportsperson) only.

[johnzl]

1. Purely in terms of the amount of bureaucratic hoops you have to jumps through, it's easier to apply as a PBS dependant. But a person who qualifies for a T2 migrant might consider that as easy.

2. Either application can only be made from outside the UK. Unless you are switching to T2 migrant having been in the UK as Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) in the Creative and Sporting sub-category, for a job as a professional footballer switching into Tier 2 (Sportsperson) only.

Thank you for that. Would I able to apply for dependent visa within the UK if I exit and come back to the UK as a visitor after my tier 5 expires?

Thanks again.

[Greenie]

No.

[johnzl]

May I apply before my tier 5 expires?

[geriatrix]

Your wish.

[johnzl]

Hi,
Just want to confirm there is no way I can apply for a Tier 2 dependent visa in the UK. I can see there is an option in the online application process where I can select Tier 2 dependent with in UK.