Tier 2 ICT (short term) to DLR to Tier 2 General

[TheITGuy]

Hi,
First of all, apologies if this is a duplicate thread.
I came to the UK on a Tier 2 ICT (short term) visa on 02/05/2015 which was valid till 03/05/2016. Because of an emergency, I applied for a FLR(O) and granted discretionary leave till 06/01/2017. Please advise if I can apply for a Tier 2 General visa within the UK during or at the end of this DLR period. Do I fall in the 12 months cooling off period and need to go back to my home country to apply for the new visa?
Any advise for getting a Tier 2 general would be highly appreciated.
Thanks

[poper]

Hi

There is a 12 month cool-off period between your Tier 2 ICT and Tier 2 General.
This means you might need to file an extension on your current visa or leave the country to complete the cool-off period

[TheITGuy]

Thanks Poper for your reply. If I can be on DLR till 03/05/2017 (Tier 2 ICT expiry was 03/05/2016), will I qualify for Tier 2 General? Is this period on DLR be considered as the cooling off period?
Thanks

[CR001]

Yes, you will need to be on DLR for a full 12 months though and you will have to return to your home country to apply for a Tier 2 General.

[TheITGuy]

Thanks all for the advice.