In Country Tier 1 Entreprenuer Switch from Tier 4 General

[yesh66]

Hello,
I am currently on a Tier 4 General Visa (completed my Ph.D.). I won a seed funding competition and applied for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa with £50K investment proof from the Seed Funding Competition endorsed by the DIT.

I have applied on the 30th October 2017
Biometrics letter received on 8th November 2017
Biometrics Submitted on 9th November 2017

I am currently waiting to hear from the Home Office. What is my current status? Which rules apply to me currently? TIER 4 General or Tier 1 Entrepreneur or unknown?

Can I register myself as a Director?
As it is funding from a Seed funding, I need to inform them of my decision quickly to get the funding that I won through the competition.

Any advise on this would be appreciated,
Yesh

[CR001]

What is my current status? Which rules apply to me currently? TIER 4 General or Tier 1 Entrepreneur or unknown?

The conditions of your tier 4 visa continue while HO processes your Tier 1 application, assuming you applied for Tier 1 before your Tier 4 visa expired.

[zimba]

You can register a company, open bank account and receive funds however you do not have the right to be on payroll (employed) until Tier 1 visa granted

[yesh66]

Thank you very much. That means I can be a director of the company. But the Tier 4 guidelines say one cannot be on a self employed status. I am confused as the previous reply says Tier 4 rules apply to me now.
I haven’t got any response from Home Office in the last 8 weeks after my Biometrics. Should I ask my immigration lawyer to write a letter?
Best wishes

[CR001]

Thank you very much. That means I can be a director of the company. But the Tier 4 guidelines say one cannot be on a self employed status. I am confused as the previous reply says Tier 4 rules apply to me now.

Tier 1 Ent rules ONLY apply once your Tier 1 Ent visa has been APPROVED and granted. Until then, your existing Tier 4 rules apply as you are under Section 3C protection.

I haven’t got any response from Home Office in the last 8 weeks after my Biometrics. Should I ask my immigration lawyer to write a letter?

Be patient. Many members are waiting months for approvals.