Post Study Work Visa Questions

Hi there,
I am currently on a Post-Study Work Visa (Tier 1) that is good until November 2010.  I have been looking for work here in the UK, but due to the slow market, I have decided to move back to the United States for a 6-8 month job contract.

I am still interested in job hunting in the UK with my visa after I have fulfilled my contract in the US and am wondering if there would be any problem with me staying out of the country for an extended period of time.  I know that visa regulations have recently changed and I just want to make sure that I am not endangering my status by being away for 8 months.  Also, I'm wanting to make sure that there are no tax implications of working abroad as a temporary UK resident.  I also believe that I should be able to renew my visa under Tier 1 when my visa expires and am wondering if this is still true.

Does anyone know anything about these issues?  Any feedback is appreciated!  Thanks!

- Caryn

You should be ok to SWITCH (not renew!) to Tier 1 General as long as you are in the UK and still meet the requirements at the time you apply. The tricky bit will be whether going from PSW to General will count as an extension or an initial application, because the requirements will be different from April for these two situations. If it counts as an extension, you'll be ok with the current bachelor's degree and salary level, but if it counts as initial, you have to have a masters and £20,000 salary to qualify. Perhaps Garry can comment?

Not Garry, but it has now, thankfully, been revealed that a switch from HSMP to Tier 1 will not require a Masters.

Vicky

So are you saying that PSW is considered the same as HSMP?

So are you saying that PSW is considered the same as HSMP?

Sorry, I'm not sure I understand.

Vicky

The OP is on Post-Study Work (PSW), with a concern about switching to Tier 1 General at the end and how that would be affected by leaving the country for a while to work elsewhere. I also brought up the question of the changing requirements, and whether PSW to General would count as an extension or a switch. I don't see how this connects with the HSMP issue, unless you are saying that PSW and HSMP are being considered in the same way.

I think I misunderstood, sorry.

A switch from HSMP to Tier 1 will not require a Masters.  I can't see that switching from Tier 1 (PSW) to Tier 1 (general) would be seen as anything other than a new application, and I don't think there would be an exception.  However, we won't really no for another 18 months, when the first tranche of PSW's try switching.

Vicky