UK Tourist/Student Visa

[dd99]

Hi,

My son holds New Zealand passport, he has got UK Tier4 student visa which is going to be valid from September. but I would like him come to uk earlier next week.

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk?

Many thanks!

[Wanderer]

Hi,

My son holds New Zealand passport, he has got UK Tier4 student visa which is going to be valid from September. but I would like him come to uk earlier next week.

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk?

Many thanks!

There has been a no-switching rule for years from visit visa (or visit visa waiver), so no - cannot be done.

[dd99]

Hi,

My son holds New Zealand passport, he has got UK Tier4 student visa which is going to be valid from September. but I would like him come to uk earlier next week.

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk?

Many thanks!

There has been a no-switching rule for years from visit visa (or visit visa waiver), so no - cannot be done.

Wanderer, thank you so much for the speedy reply.
I just really want to spend sometime with my son before he goes to uni.

If so, is it possible my son is coming on tourist visa first, then I take my son go to France, and use student visa come back to UK after student visa has been valid?

Thanks again

[Wanderer]

Hi,

My son holds New Zealand passport, he has got UK Tier4 student visa which is going to be valid from September. but I would like him come to uk earlier next week.

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk?

Many thanks!

There has been a no-switching rule for years from visit visa (or visit visa waiver), so no - cannot be done.

Wanderer, thank you so much for the speedy reply.
I just really want to spend sometime with my son before he goes to uni.

If so, is it possible my son is coming on tourist visa first, then I take my son go to France, and use student visa come back to UK after student visa has been valid?

Thanks again

Can't see why not, but wait for others on this one.

Only possible issue I can see is the IO might wonder whats going on with a Student Visa already in passport, so just need to make it clear what the plan is if questioned, they are a suspicious lot and he'll probably assume you son will just stay on in UK and not re-enter on Student visa.

[dd99]

Hi

My son holds new Zealand passport. (he can visit UK in 6 month without visa ) He has got Tier 4 student visa on his passport which is going to be valid from September, and he is going to study in uni in next 3 years in UK as an international student.

We miss each other very much. We would like to spend more time together. I would like him to come over earlier. So far I know there is no way to change tourist visa to student visa in UK. so is it possible for him come to UK as tourist first and he can use his Tier 4 student visa when we can travel back to UK from France in September?

Many thanks

[CR001]

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk? !

He has to enter the UK on the date his visa is valid from to 'activate' his student visa. This CANNOT be done within the UK.

Suggest to avoid complications, why not meet up in the EU and then travel to UK when his student visa is valid.

[dd99]

I was wondering, is it possible for him to arrive in UK on a tourist visa, and then change his visa to student visa without having to leave uk and return back to uk? !

He has to enter the UK on the date his visa is valid from to 'activate' his student visa. This CANNOT be done within the UK.

Suggest to avoid complications, why not meet up in the EU and then travel to UK when his student visa is valid.

Thank you so much for your kind prompt reply.

[asp]

He is not a visa national so he can arrive early and ask the IO to admit him as a visitor. Happens all the time. But he must leave the UK and re-enter, seeing an IO, somectime after his student vignette starts. Note that goning to Ireland won't work because of the Common Travel Area.

The vignette can only be stamped on or after the start date printed on it. It Is that which will activate his student leave.

Without the vignette being stamped correctly the Post Office will not hand over his BRP, he will not have active student leave and his uni cannot enrol him.

[vinny]

Be careful.