Tier 2 ICT to Company Sponsored UK Visa

Hi,

Would appreciate if i can receive an opinion around the below:

1. I am working on ICT transfer and first came to the UK from India on the 27th of July 2010.

I have a job offer from an IT employer in the UK for a permanent role.

At this point,
1. Should my new employer be filing visa for me under Tier 2 General Category?
2. Do i need to go back to India or can i move from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General while staying in the UK?
3. While i move from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2, and complete 5 years, can i count my time in the UK from 27th July 2010 or will the clock reset from when i get the Tier 2 General visa.

Any inputs highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
-WalkMan

1. Irrespective of who files the visa (you or your employer), you need to apply for leave as a Tier 2 (General) migrant.
2. See Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General - Impact on ILR.
3. When was the application for Tier 2 (ICT) leave submitted? Date.