Query about cooling off period

[justanothername]

Hi,

My Tier 2 general visa expired on 5th July, 2013 but I left UK on 24th March, 2013. I understand that I have to serve cooling period but wanted to confirm if the cooling period begins from 24th March or 5th July. From reading the guidelines, it seems to me that it should begin from 24th March and I should be able to provide evidence of me having left UK (boarding pass, arrival stamps etc). But my company travel team suggests that there is a recent change and that cooling period begins from the day when my visa was expired.

In any case, is there a way I can switch to any other kind of Tier 2 visa without having to complete the cooling period?

Thanks.

[manci]

see para 26 in the T2 policy guidance:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... idance.pdf
and ask your travel team what recent change they were referring to.

If you were able to come to the UK as a dependant the cooling-off period would not apply

[justanothername]

Thank manci for a quick reply. I will point the travel team to this policy.