SWITCHING from Tier 2 ICT ST to Tier 2 General high earners

[buddu]

Hi,

I need your assistance regarding UK work visa eligibility for me:

Present situation: I am in UK on "Tier 2 ICT short term staff" visa since Sept 2012. The visa is valid till 15 Sep-13.

I have gone through all threds and found that I can not switch into Tier 2 General visa untill I complete the 12 months cooling off period (except below mentioned option). Please confirm it is correct.

Only option: If UK based employer gives me salary > 152100/ year.

Question1: If UK based employer is ready to give me offer for 3 months (1 quater) on salary >= (152100/4 = 38025), Am I eligible to get the tier 2 General high earners visa for 3 months?

Q2: Is there any minimum limit for job offer time for tier 2 General high earners visa?

Q3: Also, am I eligible to apply inside the UK or I need to apply the same from my home country?

Q4: In future is it possible to change from tier 2 General high earners visa to tier 2 general visa if my salary came down from the threshold limit (152100/ year)?

Q5: Is there any other alternative available for me to work in UK after my current Visa expires on 15-Sep'13.

[buddu]

Can someone please advice.

[geriatrix]

There is no "Tier 2 General high earner visa" category. It is just "Tier 2 (General)".
The employer must pay you an "annual salary" of £152,100. The employer will need to confirm that in the CoS.

1. Yes, I believe so - provided you can find a registered UK employer ready to "employ" you for just 3 months at such a high remuneration as compared to someone else who doesn't need a sponsorship and is ready to work at a lower remuneration, provided an employer can issue a CoS for such a short assignment, and provided UKBA does not question such a "short-term" assignment at such a high salary.
2. The immigration rules don't appear to suggest any restriction. Not sure whether CoS can be issued for such a short-term employment. If it can be, don't see an issue.
3. Only from outside the UK.
4. There is no "Tier 2 General high earner" visa, so there is nothing to switch from. You may change employers just as any other Tier 2 (General) migrant may be allowed at such given time, provided all mandatory requirements are met.
5. Not that I know of.

[buddu]

Hi Sushdmehta

Thank you, it is really helpful.