Switching from Innovator to Tier 2

Good morning everyone,

Asking on behalf of a friend who is currently on Innovator visa, he has been on it for 3 years now but recently got a good job offer for a Tier 2 sponsored job. He has 2 questions, firstly can we switch to tier 2 visa or would that be a challenge and secondly if he is allowed to switch can he then stay on Tier 2 visa for 2 years and use this 2 years and the 3 years he spent under innovator visa (5 years combined) to apply for ILR or does he have to stay on Tier 2 for another 5 years?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Maros wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:39 am

firstly can we switch to tier 2 visa or would that be a challenge

He can.

Maros wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:39 am

can he then stay on Tier 2 visa for 2 years and use this 2 years and the 3 years he spent under innovator visa (5 years combined) to apply for ILR or does he have to stay on Tier 2 for another 5 years?

He can.
https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa

This visa used to be called the Innovator visa.

https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to- ... sa/time-uk

In the 5 years you’ve lived in the UK, you can include time you’ve had on any combination of the following visas:

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Innovator Founder