Tier 2 ICT Long term to Tier 2 General

[applyforILR]

Hi,

I had got my Tier 2(ICT) stamped in Jan 2009 with 3 yrs validity. My company applied for extension in Jan 2012 and I received the visa in march 2012 with the validity till Jan 2104. The extended visa says "T2 ICT Long Term Leave To Remain".

I would be eligible for ILR in Dec this year but might get stuck for the employment letter which is hard to obtain. To minimize the risk, I am looking to switch to Tier 2 General visa. My query is: am i eligible to swtich to Tier 2 general while in UK. Since the Long term visa was stamped in 2012, does it make me ineligible to switch from inside UK? Or Because it was extension of the old tier2 , so would be considered under the visa rules of 2009?

I am bit confused.

[vinny]

Please continue in previous thread.