Swiching Student Visa to Work Permit

[KT917]

I am in UK on my student visa which expires in September 2005.
Luckily, my part time employer offered me a full time position, they say they'll take care of my work permit, as well.
My concern is, 1) can I swich my student visa to work permit while my student visa is still valid?
My employer said they would start the process in January 2005, and I might have to go back to my home country to apply work permit.
2) I also wonder if my application is failed, am I able to come back to UK on the valid student visa?

[f2k]

i am sure there is nothing stopping an employer, applying for a WP for you while you are still on a student visa. i think the only difference will come when it comes to FLR. and depending on what yuour studying, you might not need to go back to your home country.

[chealseaforlife]

Hi,

If you have not yet applied for the 1 year workpermit granted to sudents after schooling, then why dont you do that? This way you will have the required legal status while your employer is processing your papers, and you will not have to leave the country.

[chealseaforlife]

I mean you can apply for the 1 yr workpermit, just before you graduate from school