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Tier 2 ICT --> Tier 2 General --> ILR

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:03 pm
by poper
Hello Team,

I entered the UK on Tier 2 ICT Established Staff visa on 26 September 2010 and have been extending my leave under the same employer(A). I was scheduled to apply for ILR under long residence by end of August.

I am currently a consultant for company B. The contracts between company A and B cannot be extended any further beyond September 30 and as a result company B wants to hire me.

Given the backlog of applications, it is highly unlikely that my ILR will be granted before September 30 when I apply end of August(with no super priority service around)

As a result, Company B has proposed to sponsor me Tier 2 General visa which may be filed by say mid-August. I may be able to commence work directly with Company B as advised by HO:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents

If you’ve applied for a Tier 2 or 5 visa and are waiting for a decision on your application

You can start work before your visa application has been decided if:

• you’ve been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
• the job you start is the same as the one listed on your CoS


When do I submit my ILR?

1. Company B has told me to wait for my Tier 2 General visa to be decided by UKVI before applying for ILR under long residence. Do I actually need to wait? (or)
2. Should I vary my Tier 2 General application to ILR as soon as I become eligible? It appears like I should not, as the date I submit my Tier 2 General application(mid August) will be considered as my ILR application submission date per the Example Scenario 2 quoted in the below link.

Appreciate any advice

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... .0-ext.pdf

Example scenario 2

An applicant submits application A in time. They then submit application B before application A has been decided, whilst they still have extant leave.

An applicant cannot be granted more than one type of leave at a time. Where 2 applications have been submitted whilst the applicant has extant leave, the second application will be considered as a variation of the first application. The date of application is the date application A was submitted.

Re: Tier 2 ICT --> Tier 2 General --> ILR

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 4:51 pm
by poper
Another followup question:

More importantly, if I vary my application to ILR, will I continue to possess work rights with employer B as my Tier 2 General application was not decided?

Re: Tier 2 ICT --> Tier 2 General --> ILR

Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:40 am
by zimba
My advice is if you really want to start working for that company, get a COS from them and apply for a Tier 2 visa and start your work. I suggest against variation as then you potentially lose the right to work for that sponsor. Apply for ILR later on when your Tier 2 status with the new sponsor is secured.