Change of VISA STATUS

[Sam123]

Hi Forum

I am a Visa natioanl person and here on WP since 2002, I would like to switch over to University to get Masters degree (F/T) and donot want to work for a year. Do I need to go back to my native country to change my Visa status from WP to Student or is it possible here in the UK?

Thanks for your advise in advance

Sam

[Kayalami]

The switch will be considered on a discretionary basis given that you are a visa national - it is likley to be granted though. Note that your work permit and any accompanying leave to remain derived from it are no longer valid after you leave the employer/job. It is therefore best to get the student visa then leave the job. Further note that once your WP is no longer valid you are not in a category leading to settlement. You qualify for ILR in 2006 so perhaps you may wish to review going back to study vis a vis gaining ILR status and the benefits of such including permit free employment and cheaper studies as a home student not to mention acess to government funding. I hope things work out for you and wish you the best of luck.

[iczhujie]

Dear Kayalami

I had the same case as I am on my work permit for 1 and half year now.

as you said,It is therefore best to get the student visa then leave the job

Does this mean that my work permit and VISA will still be valid if the switch is unsuccessful?

Thanks very much.

[iczhujie]

Could anyone help me on this?

if the switch is rejected, what happens to my exsiting VISA?

Many Thanks.