Yes. But, if on entry, they suspect you are not. Genuine tourist, they will refuse entry. This may result in a ban on applying for other visas. Also, once the tourist visa expires, a bridging visa would be granted, but with the same conditions as the tourist visa - no work rights and visa processing at the moment can take many months. Just to reinforce the first point, we have had members even recently fall foul of it and be refused entry at the border.
My advice is to apply off shore.