Tier2 ICT to Tier2 General

[veeran]

Hi ,

Can somebody please help with my query below,

I have entered UK on Jan 2013 with Tier 2 ICT and by Jan 2018 I will be completing 5 years. I know with ICT i can not extend beyond 5 years. but can i switch to Tier 2 General within UK or outside UK to continue beyond 5 years.

Please kindly help if have any options to continue in UK after 5 years?

Thanks,
Veeran

[Frontier Mole]

You can not switch in the UK and once you leave you will be subject to the one year cooling off period before you can apply for Tier 2 again.

[veeran]

Thank you very much Frontier. Is it possible if i can switch to different Visa other than Tier2 ?

[CR001]

Thank you very much Frontier. Is it possible if i can switch to different Visa other than Tier2 ?

It will depends on your circumstances and what your aim is and if you have a spouse etc.

Alternatively, there would only be Tier 1 Entrepreneur but you would need substantial funds.

[veeran]

Thanks all for your reply. I was checking on Home website, but i dont see any restriction that i can not switch to Tier 2 general now to stay beyond 5 years. All i just see there is this below. After switching to ICT general i can stay for upto 5 years(Which means further 5 years ?). I am confused now. Can some one help.

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/switch-to-this-visa

Eligibility
You must already be in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:

Tier 1 visa
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
Tier 2 (Minister of religion) visa
Tier 2 (Intra company Transfer: established staff) visa and you’re applying to change sponsor
Tier 2 (Intra company Transfer) visa under the Immigration Rules in place before 6 April 2010 and you’re applying to change sponsor

How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for up to 5 years after switching to a Tier 2 (General) visa.

[krisv]

Please read the Tier 2 (General) policy guidance, especially point 15 (Switching ) on pages 7 & 8.

Note 1 (under the table) extracted from the guidance states that:

Please note that Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long Term Staff granted entry clearance under the rules in place after 6 April 2011 cannot switch into Tier 2 (General).

Unfortunately, since you were granted entry clearance after April 2011, you would not be eligible.

Tier 2 policy guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... 1_2016.pdf

[veeran]

Thanks Krisv, I am confused now. I am going with new sponsor and this line below says i am eligible not sure which one to follow.Any ideas guys ?

https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/switch-to-this-visa

Eligibility
You must already be in the UK under any of the following visas or schemes:

Tier 2 (Intra company Transfer: established staff) visa and you’re applying to change sponsor

[CR001]

Do you have an 'Established Staff' ICT visa? I don't think so if you got your visa in 2013.