First post, take it easy on me
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
I'm thinking of switching from my existing WP visa to Tier 1 (Genera).
I've actually been in the UK for nearly 5 years now, the first two on a working holiday visa (by the way, reading the home office documents, it seems that I can't claim the first two years that I spent under WHM towards my ILR, someone know if there's a way to get around it, legally?) and the last three on WP. Since the economy is doing badly, I thought its better not to be dependant to my employer and switching to Tier 1 seems like a better alternative.
In terms of points/earnings etc. I don't seem to have any problems, I have been lucky enough to have been in a decent job with the same employer in technology sector for the last 5 years.
The only thing that worries me is the formal English language points awarding mechanism. I see using the self assessment tool that for the degree I have, I get full marks for education, but no marks for English language!
I do have an IELTS degree, where I scored 8.5, but that was taken before I came to the UK, back in early 2004. I also have a TOELF too, where I scored perfect marks-2
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
On pen and paper, it seems that I need to take IELTS again before I apply for switching to Tier 1, however given the fact that I have been working in the UK for the last 5 years in a company whose medium of communication is English (obviously) and do have an IELTS/TOELF with great scores, albeit expired, do I really need to retake the IELTS exam?
Thank you.