Tier 1 Dependant-Tier 2 General switching:guidance unclear

[ps1234]

Hi all,

My wife needs to switch from Tier 1 Dependant visa to a Tier 2 General visa. SHe will remain with the same employer in UK as she is now and they have agreed to sponsor her T2 general visa. Can she do this incountry or will she have to go back to her home country to switch from T1 dependant to T2 general? The guidance on UKBA website says:

"If you currently have permission to stay in the UK under any of the following immigration categories, you can apply to Tier 2 (General) from inside the UK:

any Tier 1 category"

Does 'any tier 1 category' include tier 1 dependants? Also if she needs to leave the country to switch, how long does this typically take? Does she just need to go to her home country to get a stamp or does she need to actually submit the application and be in the home country for the duration?

[Greenie]

No she has leave as a PBS dependent not as a tier 1 migrant. She will need to apply from outside the UK.she must physically be in her country to make the application. She will need to submit her passport to apply so will have to stay there until the application is decided. Processing times vary depending on where the application is made.

[ps1234]

Thanks Greenie!!