Holidaymakers cannot switch to tier 1(HSMP) from March

[dharam]

Hi all,

Read a document 'Tier 1 statement of Intent' from home office and according to the new rules holiday makers cannot switch their immigration status to Tier 1 (hsmp).Called home office as my friend already had an approval last month and they advised to apply for FLR asap before March.

[Arif]

I have read that the wrking holiday makers visa will come under tier 5. But tier 5 will not be implemented before the last quarter of 2008. Say if i apply for the working holiday visa now, i.e jan, under the old rules, I'd be able to switch to HSMP in jan 09. But since I came in the UK under the old rules, shouldn't I be allowed to switch to HSMP or tier1?