Tier 2 Dependant Switching to Tier 2 General Main Applicant

I have been in the UK as a dependant under my wife's Tier 2 (General) visa for two years. As a result of potential redundancy for my wife, my employer has agreed to begin the process of obtaining COS. If successful then my wife would need to switch to a dependant under my Tier 2 (General) visa.

Would I be able to switch from within the UK?
If I am able to switch from within the UK, would my wife be able to switch as my dependant from within the UK?
If we do switch visa's, would the two years already spent in the UK count towards the five years required for ILR?
As the application to switch would be after 6 April 2011, would potential settlement be affected by this or would our original entry date (2 years ago) be considered?
If I have to apply from outside the UK, would I be subject to the Tier 2 annual limit?
If I was to be allowed to switch from within the UK would I be subject to Maintenance requirements for myself and dependants?

Both of you will need to apply from outside the UK.
Your wife's ILR clock will be reset. Yours will start only when you enter UK as a Tier 2 migrant.
No one can tell you today what the rules may be in the future and what rules the govt. will put in place as an outcome of the consultation.
Entry clearance applications require rCoS and therefore subject to monthly limit.

Hi Susdmehta,

Thanks for the clarity !

I will go back to ruspiet question again....

Q1.Does it mean Tier 2 dependent switching to Tier 2 General clock will reset for both of them ?

Q2.What happens if Tier 2 General Migrant Swithch within country to Tier 2 Dependent , Please confirm what happens to clock for ILR in that category??

Regards,
Raj

This thread was from 2011!