UK tier 2 General visa

Hi

I have been in UK on tier 2 ICT long term between April 2012 till June 2015. Now I'm out of UK and planning to apply for Tier 2 General visa. My queries are

1. Is there any cool off period which I need to serve before applying for tier 2 General visa.
2. Could I apply for tier 2 general visa outside of UK with a valid COS.
3. Assuming I got Tier 2 General visa, and I enter into UK in year 2016, would my visa status would be consider for ILR if I spend more than 5 years in UK, abiding the rules of ILR.

1. 12 months cool off period from date you left the UK.

2. Yes, you have to apply outside the UK.

3. Probably, as the rules stand now.

Thanks for the prompt response and clarification. Could you also respond on

1) does the cool off period start from the day of leaving UK or from the date employer cancel the T2-ICT.
2) could the process of T2- general be initiated before completion of cool off period.. Or it could only be started after the cool off period
3) - probably the last question, is there any T2-general sponsore / service available

1. Date of leaving the UK

2. After the cool off period, i.e. the next day

3. What do you mean "is there any T2-general sponsore / service available". Your new sponsor, if on the approved sponsor list, will be aware of what is available to them.