Switching between tiers

Appreciate any info you can give - I am looking to apply for a UK Visa from Aus - either Tier 2 or Tier 5, and am just weighing up the pros and cons of each.

I am wanting to find out the rules about switching - 1. Can you switch from tier 2 to tier 5 (for instance, if I decide to leave my sponsored employer)?

2. Can you switch from tier 5 to 2 (for instance, when 5 expires)? I have searched far and wide, and some places say you cant switch from 5 at all, others say you can switch to "other" visas (not sure if it incs 2) from you home country.

It is very likely I will be sponsored by my current employer, so would like to go with tier 2 - only dissadvantage is that I cant apply for my visa until I am ponsored, and then the visa may take 3 months - and not being able to start for 3 months is not an appealing prospect to potnetial new managers... which is why I am considering tier 5.

I have read that they are likely to change uni qualification requirements for tier 1 in "early 2010", which would qualify me, but I want to be in London by May so cant wait any longer!

Many thanks!

Hi Arabella

1) You cannot switch from a Tier 2 to the Youth Mobility scheme from within the UK and unfortunately you cannot switch the other way round.

If you making your application for a Tier 2 from Australia, it really shouldnt take 3 months.  

The Migration Advisory committee have suggested that the UKBA look at changing the rules for Tier 1 migrants.  It may well go back to Bachelors degree but we can never really say for sure.  The suggestion has been made, we now have to wait and see if the Home Office are prepared to make the change.