Switching from WHMV to work permit visa whilst in the UK

I bought that guide called "how to arrive and thrive in the UK" So far it has been worth every penny. I do have one question though, not sure if it is a mistake but in the guide it says that you may switch visas from a WHMV to a Work permit WHILE you are in the UK, to a work permit for example. I did not think this was possible. But yet it also says you must leave when the visa is up. Well if i apply for a work permit visa while on a WHMV and get it, then I can just continue to stay correct? Can anyone confirm this at all? I think this might be a better option for me as I would prefer to find a plumbing job while I am there rather than try online with a slim chance of being sponsored. Especially since you are now allowed to work full time with a WHMV.

I go to the UKBA website for my info, the link to which I'm not allowed to post yet.

That's the website that I go to for my info. The WHM DOES NOT EXIST anymore. I was reading on there that if you're on the Youth Mobility Scheme/Tier 5, you CANNOT CHANGE TO ANOTHER TYPE OF VISA.

Or so they say.

Check the website out to be sure.

You can't switch visa without leaving the UK when you are on a WHV.

See here : http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workin ... extending/

Hmmm that sucks. Maybe I will go on a youth mobility visa and I will be sponsored by the company I am working for. At least you can work full time on this visa. So then I can just return home and come back on a work permit visa then huh? or would you recommend I go and visit and look for work?

if u have an employer who is willing to apply for a work permit for u, then why look for work elsewhere? many employers who look for workers want someone who can start immediately. u will be rejected by these employers, as well as by those who don't insist on an immediate start but who are unwilling to sponsor ur work permit.

ian.

Yeah, my friends dad is moving back next month and I was talking with him and he thinks that I should get a youth mobility visa and find an employer that has sponsored before and work for them until the visa is up and see if I can get a work permit through them and then return home for the duration of reapplying (Im sure the employer would understand that it may take a bit of time to apply) then re-enter. If so then voila, problem solved. I am a journeyman plumber and my ticket is recognized in Britain according to plumbers I have talked to there. From what I have been told I will be snapped up pretty quick. I am going to be having alot of help through people I know there at least. Do I need to stay the full 2 years before I can return to Canada to apply for a work permit visa though? Oh, and do I HAVE to have my plane ticket bought prior to applying for the visa, or can I just have an approximate date as to when I will leave and then buy it upon approval?

Just to say that because you find someone willing to sponsor you for a work visa it doesn't mean that you will be granted the visa. I am not saying it is not possible but it depends on your personal circumstances and the type of job you are going to do in the UK.
From November 2008 the rules are changing for work visa application. Plumber is not on the national shortage occupational list which means that you will be applying for a work visa based on a points system.
You will need:
* a job offer;
* certificate of sponsorship from one of our licensed sponsors; and
* scored enough points to apply.

Just to say that because you find someone willing to sponsor you for a work visa it doesn't mean that you will be granted the visa. I am not saying it is not possible but it depends on your personal circumstances and the type of job you are going to do in the UK.
From November 2008 the rules are changing for work visa application. Plumber is not on the national shortage occupational list which means that you will be applying for a work visa based on a points system.
You will need:

- a job offer;
- certificate of sponsorship from one of our licensed sponsors; and
- scored enough points to apply.

See here for more info:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/worki ... igibility/

Also the employer will need to advertise the job in the UK and if he cannot find anyone here then he can offer the job to you but if he there are some applicants here with the correct qualification, the employer is not allowed to offer you the job.

forgot to say:

never buy your place ticket before getting you visa!

Wait for you visa and then book your flight.

Points system huh? Are you referring to the Tier 2 route? I don't have a university degree or PhD so I cannot quite make the 50 point mark. I will figure something out im sure. Also, I thought I read on a few different sites that you must have your flight booked first. I thought that was kind of weird. I figured that when applying that you are asked to have your flight info handy like the departure date etc. I will try to find an employer there that has had an ad out for a while with no results. If I cannot get in that way, then how on earth am I supposed to? Surely there is some way around it because plenty of people are able to do it. Im a 5th generation Canuck, so an ancestry visa is out of the question. I will phone up the high commission in the next few months to find out exactly what my options are. :Just editing my post here and I looked at the home office website and they break the tier 2 points down. Under the category of attributes, it says that you must score at least 50 points. However, even if you had a PhD which is 15 points and your prospective earnings were at teh highest at 20 points, then where are the other 15 points coming from under that category? They dont seem to have a points breakdown under "sponsorship" just under qualifications and prospective earnings.