Tier 2 ICT short term to T2 Long term with a new UK employer

[UKITGUY]

Dear All,
I am new to the forum.
I have been working in UK for past 6 months on tier 2 ICT short term(1 year) visa. My present visa is valid till June 2014.
I am planning to find a new job with a new UK based employer who is ready to sponsor my visa for a better salary structure.
My questions are:
1. Based on the immigration policy am I allowed to switch to a new job with sponsorship for Tier 2 long term without going through 1 year cooling off period.
2. Is it legally possible to move to tier 2 general from tier 2 ICT short term visa?
3. Can I switch job when im on tier 2 ICT short term (1 year) visa.

Kindly help me with the queries as i am new to the uk immigration rules.
Rgds

[manci]

read para 25, 2nd bullet point, in the T2 policy guidance:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... idance.pdf

you would also be subject to the 12 month cooling-off period if you wanted to move to Tier 2 General with a different sponsor.

The only possibility of exemption from cooling-off would be if your current employer sponsored you under T2 ICT Long Term Staff

[UKITGUY]

Tks Manci.

So if my current employer gets me a long term tier 2 then I need not go through cooling period.
one qstn is after getting long term visa thru my current employer, can I change to a contractor job with a local company ? I presume it will be tier 2 general if I get a sponsorship with a local employer.

tks in advance.

[manci]

when you return to the UK with a T2 ICT Long Term Staff visa you will not be able to switch to T2G

[UKITGUY]

Hi Manci,

Tks for your reply.
Is there a way I can get T2G visa from T2 long term ICT?
will it be possible only If spend 1 yr cooling period?