Visa Switch

1. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

You can apply to switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and you’re already in the UK under one of the following categories:

Tier 1 (Investor)
Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur)
Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
Tier 2
A visitor who has been carrying out permitted activities as a prospective entrepreneur

You can also switch from one of the following categories if you have specific types of funding:

You must already be in the UK as a:

You can apply to switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and you are already in the UK under one of the following categories:

You must already be in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:

Tier 1 visa
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
Tier 2 (Minister of religion) visa
Tier 2(Intra company Transfer) visa under the Immigration Rules in place before 6 April 2010 and you are applying to change sponsor
Tier 4 visa – if you have an eligible qualification or you have done at least 12 months of a PhD

You can also switch to a Tier 2 (General) visa if you are:

You can apply to switch from a Representative of an Overseas Business visa to a Long-term Staff Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa.

You cannot switch to a Graduate Trainee Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa.

Tier 4 (General) Switch to Other Visas

Tier 4 can switch to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – if you have specific types of funding;
Tier 4 can switch to Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Tier 4 cannot switch to Tier 1 (Investor). You need to apply for Tier 1 (Investor) visa separately.
Tier 4 can switch to Tier 2 (General) – if you have an eligible qualification or you have completed at least 12 months of a PhD

Other Visas which can switch to Tier 4 (General)