Tier 2 ICT Dependant to Tier 2 General + Tier 2 ICT to Tier

[newtouk2017]

Hi,

I came to UK in Feb 2017 on a Tier 2 ICT visa and my wife accompanied me as my dependant. Now, I have to following queries:
1) If my wife's employer agrees to sponsor a Tier 2 general visa for her, can she switch from her current Tier 2 ICT Dependant visa to a Tier 2 General visa from within the UK? If not, how much time does it take to apply for this from the home country (India)?
2) Once my wife gets her Tier 2 General visa, I would like to switch to a Tier 2 General Dependant visa. Again, can this be done from within the UK? If not, how much time does it take to apply for this from the home country (India)?
3) Would the cooling off period requirement prevent me from doing the above?

Thank You
NewToUK2017

[CR001]

1. Apply from home, assuming her employer is a registered sponsor and has completed the full and proper RLMT process to prove she is not pre selected,

2. You can switch in country once she is approved and back in UK.

3. No, not for switching to dependent visa.

[newtouk2017]

Thanks CR001. I am not sure what is RLMT process but will read about it.

I have one other question: If my wife starts working with a company on her existing Tier 2 ICT Dependant visa, can she be sponsored later by her employer, say after a year or will it have to be before her employment begins?

Thanks

[CR001]

Yes she can but again, the full and proper RLMT process must be completed to prove to HO That there is no BC, EU or settled person to do the job. Difficult to prove there is no pre selection when she is already working for the sponsor.