FTC and ILR

[Jonnystar]

Hi All

I moved to the UK on a Tier 2 visa in April 2013. The date of my visa was the 20th of March 2013. I have been in the same job over the past 4 years with the same employer. I recently got my Tier 2 visa extended in Jan 2016 until Feb 2019. However recently but I am considering a change in jobs. I did get an offer, however that was for a fixed term contract for 14 months and that will be under another lower paying SOC code.

I would like to know the following

1) Will it be an issue once a COS has been issued with the home office if I am applying for a lower paid job
with a different SOC code job ? The salary however is appropriate for the job.
2) Will this affect my ILR which I should be eligible for in 2018
3) If this is a Fixed term contract are the employers letters still required that you need the job as I think the new employer would be hesitant to let the home office know that I will be still required in the job longer than the FTC period?
4) What is the earliest date I can apply for ILR, Is it 30 days prior to entry into the UK or 30 days prior to the visa issue date.

I do apologize for the questions as I was not entirely clear and could not find anyone with previous experience. I did not want the last 10-11 months to affect the 4 years that I have lived here.

[iworker]

1 no
2 no
3 yes, still need the letter
4 28 days before the start date on the visa.

[CR001]

You don't state your current salary or potential lower salary. Remember that for ILR you must meet the £35,000 at present and from April 2018 it is £35,500.