Sponsor change- Tier2 ICT to Tier2 General

[leedsguy]

1) I am in the process of getting a new sponsor for my tier 2 general visa. My current visa is tier 2 ict. Once I get the tier2 general approval for the new sponsor, how long I can work for the old tier2 ict sponsor? Are there any guidelines?

2) Also can we request the start date of the tier2 general visa, say to start from 1st Jan 13' and we apply for visa in October?

Appreciate your responses. Thanks

[manci]

1. you can work for your existing sponsor until the work end date that was stated in the T2 ICT CoS

2. yes, but don't resign until you actually have the new CoS.

[manci]

re-phrasing the answer to point 2:
the work start date in the new CoS can be 01/01/2013 but don't resign until you actually have the new CoS assigned. You will need the new CoS before you can apply for leave to remain and cannot start work for the new sponsor until your application has been approved by UKBA.

[leedsguy]

Thanks Manci. Answer to point 2 is clear. On 1, my current ict visa is valid till dec 13'. If I get a tier2 gen visa with the new employer (say from Jan 13'), how long I can be with the old employer? Can both the sponsorship co exists till I finish work with the old employer? Is there a time limit before which I need to honour the new sponsorship?

Appreciate the response.

[manci]

the work start date for the new sponsorship should be the day after you finish work for your current sponsor.

You can finish work for your current sponsor any time between now and the work end date stated in the current CoS

[leedsguy]

Thanks a lot for your clarification. One last query, can there be any gap between the sponsorships - say my ict sponsorship ends in November and the new one starting in Jan.

[manci]

The issue is your leave to remain. There cannot be a gap between the leaves otherwise you will be an overstayer.

For example, if you stopped working for your present sponsor now they have to report this to UKBA within 10 days. UKBA will then write to you curtailing your present leave normally to 60 days from the date they make the decision to curtail. This is to enable migrants to look for another job. However, if your current leave ends earlier than the end of the normal curtailment period then the expiry of your current leave will probably continue to apply.