Immigration
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In this section

General Information
Entry clearance
Leave to enter
Extensions
Switching category
Visa nationals
Commonwealth
EU & EEA nationals


Business Immigration
Business visitors
Sole representatives
Establishing a business
Eastern Europeans
Investors
Work permits

Personal Immigration
Visitors
Medical treatment
Students (tertiary)
Schooling
Retirement
UK Ancestry
Working holidays

Family Members
Spouses
Children

Fiance(e)s
Parents and grandparents

Switching category

Visa nationals and non-visa nationals are treated differently if they wish to change immigration status whilst in the United Kingdom.
Generally speaking, visa nationals may not 'switch' to a different category. There are exceptions - following marriage whilst here as a work permit holder, or, in certain circumstances following a recommendation by 'Workpermits UK' that the applicant should be allowed to enter employment.
Non-visa nationals may switch to categories so long as the new category is not one for which entry clearance is mandatory. For example, a working holidaymaker could enter full-time studies and apply to remain as a student but could not normally seek to remain as a sole representative of an overseas company.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate has considerable discretion to waive these requirements and may be willing to do so in cases where the applicant has been in the United Kingdom in another long-term capacity.

A list of categories for which entry clearance is mandatory will appear here shortly.

If you have any specific questions regarding switching, please email general@visalondon.com or use our general enquiry form.

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