4 months left on student visa. Can travel outside the UK?

[NikKol]

Please let me thank all contributors of the forum - you are doing a great job.

I just finished study and working full time. My tier 4 expires Nov 2011 and degree is expected in July hence I can apply for PSW only after that.

There are some business trips are coming up and I need to travel outside the UK. I have read here that immigration officer can refuse entry at the boarder because my circumstances have changed (no longer a student).

So the question is whether I am allowed to travel freely and if yes, what shall I say at the boarder: that I work; going to apply for psw; going to the graduation ceremony?

Please help.

[NikKol]

Is that right?

"International Students wishing to travel outside the UK towards the end of their studies
Tier 4 General visa holders are often granted between 2-4 months extra at the end of their studies to make preparations to leave the UK.

If a Tier 4 visa holder leaves the UK and re-enters after their studies are finished, they are not re-entering the UK for the same purpose as stated in their visa, i.e. they are not entering as a student, or if you do not intend to begin a new course. This may result in an Immigration Officer at the point of entry cancelling the student's visa, or Tier 4 General Student visa being exchanged for a Visitor visa. In these cases applications to other forms of visa are heavily restricted, e.g. Tier 1 (Post Study Work).

Students should take this into consideration when making plans to travel outside the UK at the end of their studies and, if they intend to switch to Tier 1 Post Study Work in the UK, they should avoid travelling until they have successfully applied for this visa."

Source: http://services.sunderland.ac.uk/intern ... vice/info/

[vinny]

Seems right 320(5).

[NikKol]

Thanks.

[aviator1903]

I don't think it should be a big issue regardless of what law says if you can convince the immigration officer on counter. I visited just before my visa ran out and was allowed as I satisfied the visa officer convincingly.