Leaving UK before switching to Tier-4 Student

[fido86]

Hi all,

I am currently under PSW visa and I'm doing a PhD now. I haven't yet switched to a student visa. I want to leave UK for 2 weeks for some business and come back. Is it fine to leave UK before switching into a student visa? Is it likely that immigration officer could refuse granting me entry saying that you must be under a student visa not a PSW?

Thanks.

[Lucapooka]

If your current leave is still valid you can come and go with that. PSW, however, is not a study visa and if questioned on arrival, saying that you have no employment under your current status and are merely entering the UK to effect a switch to T4, would certainly be a recipe for disaster.

[fido86]

If I was asked then, because they always ask what are you doing in the UK or what are you going to do, what should I answer then?

[Lucapooka]

You seem to be asking for tips on deception, or am I not understanding your meaning?. You can't say something that you know is not correct. It's really straightforward: when asked questions by immigration officers, you must make truthful responses. Tell them your current situation and why you are entering the UK.

[fido86]

Sorry you may got me wrong, I don't want to be in a situation like that. That's why I'm asking. If saying that I'm doing a PhD and I'm under a PSW is going to cause me problems I would rather sort out my visa and then do the business. Lying to IO is not the thing that I'll do. But as you said, having a valid visa should be OK but if asked (which is always the case) could cause problems. So its better not to leave before switching into Tier-4!