I've been reading on this forum and on Google on how to change jobs.
My situation:
I currently am on Tier 4 Student Visa which will start work with a Company providing Tier-2 Sponsorship. I'm worried about how much harder will it be for Sponsored migrants to change employers.
My Questions:
1) Will I need to run a Resident Labour Market Test if I change employers even though it's still the same job? I don't think I have to for conversion from Tier-4 to 2. If I do then are they generally hard to pass?
2) If I apply for my Visa with new Sponsor and say I do need to run RLMT etc. and my application fails but I'm still working with my current employer with my old valid Visa, will that be affected? Also will a failure make it harder for my current employer to extend the Visa?
3) From what I've read, best not to tell current employer that I'm quitting UNTIL I get an approved Visa back with my new Sponsor, but this would make me working for old Sponsor illegal. I still do need to give my notice period etc. So how do I do this?
4) In general, especially if answer is yes to 1-3, how much harder is it for migrants to change employers as compared to a National?
5) I realize the highest I can stay on Tier-2 is capped at 6 years. Is the normal route to keep staying here applying for indefinite leave to remain after year 5?
6) Given it is possible to change sponsors, when I apply for another Visa with my new Sponsor assuming 1 year before my old Visa expires, will they take into account the 6 year cap or could I lose a year (since they said 3 years Visa once and can extend once for 3 more years)?
The reason I ask this is that I will soon have 2 offers, one with better pay but one with a Company I like more. If it's really hard to change employers I'd rather be stuck with a company I want to work for than go for pay
Looking forward to your replies! Thanks in advance.
