Tier 2 Long Term Leave to Remain

[DomChand]

Hi,

I have some queries around my visa category and extension in the UK. Could you please guide me.

I first came to UK on Dec 6th 2010 (Tier 2 ICT Est Staff- Visa expiry Dec 2012) and went back to India on May 8th 2011 as I had to continue my work from offshore for the same employer.
I came to UK again on the same visa on February 12th 2012 and currently have the visa expiry until Jan 14th 2017 after couple of extensions of 2 year term each.

Could you please let me know -

1) for how long I can process the extensions
2) am i eligible to apply for ILR (after staying in UK for 9 or 10 years on the same visa category)
3) Would my closk reset while I change my sponspor whilst in UK

Please help/advice.

[manci]

Hi,

I have some queries around my visa category and extension in the UK. Could you please guide me.

I first came to UK on Dec 6th 2010 (Tier 2 ICT Est Staff- Visa expiry Dec 2012) and went back to India on May 8th 2011 as I had to continue my work from offshore for the same employer.
I came to UK again on the same visa on February 12th 2012 and currently have the visa expiry until Jan 14th 2017 after couple of extensions of 2 year term each.

Could you please let me know -

1) for how long I can process the extensions
indefinitely, with a new CoS for each extension

2) am i eligible to apply for ILR (after staying in UK for 9 or 10 years on the same visa category)
yes, after 10 years lawful residence during which no single absence was longer than 6 months and all absences were not more than 18 months. The rules for long residence are here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... ce_v13.pdf

3) Would my closk reset while I change my sponspor whilst in UK
no, and if you switch to T2G you will be eligible for ILR after 5 years on T2G.

Please help/advice.

[DomChand]

Thank you manci for a prompt and clear reponse.

I was in India for 9 months from may 2011 to Feb 2012 - would this be considered as absence (single absence of more than 6 months) in UK and does this mean that I would need to stay an aditional year (11 years) to apply for an ILR.

[geriatrix]

Yes.
Assuming the Long Residence route exists at the time, it seems you may be eligible for settlement around / after Sep. 2021 at the earliest.