Youth Mobility - Switching to tier 2 (sponsorship)

[aldog24]

I posted in another thread but thought id get more replies if i start my own.

Im currently in the UK on a tier 5 (youth mobility) visa. The company i have worked for, for the past 12 months is offering to sponsor me to stay long term (under a tier 2 general).

I know that you can not apply for tier 2 visa, whilst in the country on a tier 5. Does this mean, that i would be able to go camp out somewhere on a holiday, say France, whilst my application is being undertaken? Or do i have to go all the way back to Australia?

Also is anyone aware of how long the application process takes?

Plese help my visa runs out in October!

Thanks for the advice in advance.

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by aldog24

I posted in another thread but thought id get more replies if i start my own.

Im currently in the UK on a tier 5 (youth mobility) visa. The company i have worked for, for the past 12 months is offering to sponsor me to stay long term (under a tier 2 general).

I know that you can not apply for tier 2 visa, whilst in the country on a tier 5. Does this mean, that i would be able to go camp out somewhere on a holiday, say France, whilst my application is being undertaken? Or do i have to go all the way back to Australia?

Also is anyone aware of how long the application process takes?

Plese help my visa runs out in October!

Thanks for the advice in advance.

You would have to return to Australia to apply for a Tier 2 visa.

Here is a link to processing times in Australia but it looks like most Tier 2s are processed in a couple of weeks:

UK Border Agency | Visa processing times in Australia

[isabelhunt]

I have a friend who went with an umbrella company to help him switch to Tier 2. All he did was look for a contract position while the company assisted him with his tier 2 sponsorship. He did not have to leave UK, it only took 3 weeks.

[aldog24]

How did that work?

any idea where i could find some more information?

[aldog24]

Also does anyone know if its possible to apply for a visa to say france, to then go there and apply for a visa back to the uk?

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by aldog24

Also does anyone know if its possible to apply for a visa to say france, to then go there and apply for a visa back to the uk?

It very clearly states on the UKBA website that you cannot change from a Tier 5 to any points based visa category:

UK Border Agency | Conditions of your stay

[nyclon]

Originally Posted by aldog24

Also does anyone know if its possible to apply for a visa to say france, to then go there and apply for a visa back to the uk?

No. You have to apply from your normal place of residence which would be Australia.

[AnAmericanInScotland]

Originally Posted by isabelhunt

I have a friend who went with an umbrella company to help him switch to Tier 2. All he did was look for a contract position while the company assisted him with his tier 2 sponsorship. He did not have to leave UK, it only took 3 weeks.

What visa was your friend on when he/she switched using this umbrella company?

Btw, do you know if the umbrella company is an OISC authorised immigration advisor company? Or am I misunderstanding, and your friend became employed by the umbrella company who then handled the details of the switch? (Ahhh, every day something new to learn, I love it!)

[donimuha]

I would recommend you to get in touch with the HR department at your company and they should be able to sort this out for you.
I work for an insurance company and am on a Tier 5 Youth mobility scheme myself. After my visa expiry my company is more than happy to sponsor me. They have their own set of immigration lawyers who do this on a day to day basis. So I would say go ask and I am sure they will sort this out for you.

Good Luck!

[A1ice]

Originally Posted by isabelhunt

I have a friend who went with an umbrella company to help him switch to Tier 2. All he did was look for a contract position while the company assisted him with his tier 2 sponsorship. He did not have to leave UK, it only took 3 weeks.

Hi Isabelhunt - can you please list the name of the umbrella company, it will be very helpful for me as I would like to go through the same process. Thanks in advance.