Tier 2 ICT cooling period and travel on Business VISA

[sunny_81]

I am working for a company in UK from Jan 2013. They have sponsored me the VISA under category Tier 2 ICT – Long Term valid till October 2016. Now there’s an opening in another company based in UK, which I understand that I cannot take as switching companies under Tier 2 ICT is not possible and I will have to serve a cooling period of 1 year. So the alternative option we are exploring is to hire me in their group company but out of their one of the UK office say Ireland/ Germany. I will work there for 1 year and then move back to their UK office on Tier 2 General or ICT VISA. During this 1 year, I might need to travel to UK for short duration on Business VISA.

Please let me know if this is a feasible scenario or there are any other option if you can suggest. Your suggestion in this matter will be very helpful.

[iworker]

its fine. there is no visa called business visa. just a visitor visa. so if u were to come on visitor visa here, it will be fine.

[sunny_81]

Thanks a lot for the reply. Will it have any impact on the Work permit application after 1 year?

[Frontier Mole]

There is no such thing as a work permit anymore. I assume you are referring to a Tier 2 visa.

The guidance states that you must serve a 1 year cooling off period before you can apply for a further Tier 2 visa. There are many various options including the method you are considering.

A couple of points to consider:

If you are going to do the Irish / German route you will obviously have to qualify for their respective work visas. All well and good.

BUT do not take it as read that you will have free movement to the UK. The visitor visa route has risks attached because frequent travel to the UK will raise a question as to what are you actually doing in the UK. You are allowed to undertake very limited business activity and I am less than convinced that is all you will be doing from the suggestions in your posting.

If you get refused entry along the way then you can wave goodbye to returning to the UK for up to ten years. Depending on how harsh they view the issue.

Personally I would not follow the route your considering as it is a high risk venture. All good till you get caught then the UK becomes a no go work zone.