Tier 2 ICT Dependent to Tier 4 Visa

sandme wrote:Hi,

I am currently in UK on ICT Tier2 long term staff migrant visa from Dec 12 onwards my visa is valid till Dec17 after this as per UK regulations I have to leave country, my wife is on ICT tier 2 dependent visa, she is willing to pursue her studies in UK.

Please let me know if she is eligible to take up full time course in UK on tier2/Tier4 visa and does she need to travel back to home country to get the tier 4 visa stamped. She has to apply from home country because she is not in a qualifying category to switch within the UK. See Switch to Tier 4 (click)

If she takes up tier4 will I be eligible to switch to tier 4 dependent and later switch to tier 2 without cool off, without leaving UK. Yes, you could switch to Tier 4 dependent within the UK. You will need to spend exactly 12 months as a dependent before you can apply for a Tier 2 General visa, which you have to apply for from your home country.

I assume I can apply to ILR after 5 years of overall stay in UK irrespective of the visa type(All visa ICT tier 2+Tier4 dependent+ Tier 2 general). No, you cannot. Tier 2 ICT issued after 6th April 2010 DOES NOT lead to ILR. You also cannot combine different visa categories to make up 5 years for ILR. You will need 5 years on Tier 2 General main applicant to qualify for ILR or 10 years residence to qualify for long residence ILR with a combination of visas.

Apart from this is there any alternate option of getting ILR,Please advise . No, you need 5 years in a single visa category or 10 years with valid leave for the whole period.

Thanks & Regards,
San