Swicth from Tier 2 ICT Short Term Dep to Tier 2 General

[sinman]

Hi,

I am currently on Tier 2(ICT short term Visa) from Jan-14. My wife is on dependent visa and is not working in UK currently.

I have couple of questions:
1. Can my wife go back to home country and apply for Tier 2(General) without any cooling off period or there will be any cooling off period for her before she can apply for Tier 2 (General)
2. If answer to question 1 is Yes - can I come back as Tier 2 (General) dependent or do I need to serve any cooling off period.

Thanks for your answers in advance

[jashds]

It is better that your wife finds a job while in the UK and agree on an offer only if the company is sponsoring a tier 2. Finding a sponsor in India is really difficult.If she finds a sponsor and they apply for her tier 2 general you need not serve a cool off.
She needs to go back to your home country to switch to a t2 general and if she comes back when you are still here, you can switch in the UK.

[sinman]

Thanks for your answer.
So, does it mean that
1. cooling off period of 12 months doesn't apply for Tier 2(ICT Short Term) dependent for conversion to Tier 2( Genera)l Main applicant?
2. Cooling off period doesn't apply for conversion from Tier 2 (ICT short term) main applicant to Tier 2 (General) dependent?

Thanks

[manci]

1. your wife can apply for T2G entry clearance from home country with a restricted CoS, no cooling off.

2. once your wife is back in the UK with T2G leave you can switch in the UK to become her dependant, no cooling off

[sinman]

Hi Manci,

Thanks for the answers. i have few related questions,will appreciate your answers
1.
if i continue to stay here while my wife comes back after getting tier2(gen), will the time i spent on ICT now will be considered in my total time towards ILR as per the current rules
2.
will i have to serve cooling off period if i go back to my home country along with my wife and come back as my wife's dependent on tier 2 visa?

thanks a lot