Tier 2 short term staff partner visa to general visa

[Apoorva1]

Hi

I came to UK as Tier 2 short term staff partner, however I have opportunities here in the same company, but if I need to join here I will need a VISA as a tier 2 staff. So my query is

If I apply for VISA for tier 2 staff VISA now, will I get it for the remaining tenure of my dependent VISA or will I get it again for 1 year.

Regards,
Apoorva

[geriatrix]

If you are currently in the UK as a "PBS dependant", you can work with any employer other than working as a doctor / dentist in training (319D(b)).

If you wish to change from "PBS depedant" to "Tier 2 (General) migrant", then:
since you cannot switch from "dependant" to "Tier 2" from within the UK (245HD(b)(i) and 245HD(b)(ii)) your prospective / current employer will have to apply for a restricted CoS for you, and then you will need to apply for entry clearance from outside UK. The period of grant of entry clearance will be in accordance with 245HC.
See also Switch to Tier 2 (General) visa

[Apoorva1]

If you are currently in the UK as a "PBS dependant", you can work with any employer other than working as a doctor / dentist in training (319D(b)).

If you wish to change from "PBS depedant" to "Tier 2 (General) migrant", then:
since you cannot switch from "dependant" to "Tier 2" from within the UK (245HD(b)(i) and 245HD(b)(ii)) your prospective / current employer will have to apply for a restricted CoS for you, and then you will need to apply for entry clearance from outside UK. The period of grant of entry clearance will be in accordance with 245HC.
See also Switch to Tier 2 (General) visa

Thanks for the reply.
I am currently in UK and I have my VISA upto Jan 2016. My opportunity here is with the same employer offshore so as per the company policy I cant be working as a dependent and I need to have a general VISA.
1. So, am I eligible for switch of my visa from dependent to general
(If this is the case will my VISA be only upto Jan 2016)
2. Am I eligible to raise a new general VISA (will I have cooling period in this time)

Regards,
Apoorva

[geriatrix]

1. The answer remains the same as in my previous response. What is it that you have not understood?
2. As a dependant, you are not subject to any "cooling period" .... unless you worked in the UK as a Tier 2 migrant before coming here as a "dependant". Did you?