Maximum stay after cooling off period

[choice2207]

Hi

I understand that the maximum stay under a Tier 2 visa is a total of 6 years.

However, here’s a situation for someone who was on a Tier 2 visa, stayed in the UK for 4 years on that visa, and left the UK to return to his home country. After a year in his home country, he got another opportunity to work in the UK on a Tier 2 visa, which was fine because the cooling period has already lapsed. What would be the maximum validity of his new visa? Is it going to be capped to 2 years only, as he was in the UK previously for 4 years already? Or, does the maximum stay of 6 years restart after the cooling off period?

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

Many thanks!

[CR001]

What would be the maximum validity of his new visa?

6 years.

Is it going to be capped to 2 years only, as he was in the UK previously for 4 years already?

No.

Or, does the maximum stay of 6 years restart after the cooling off period?

Yes

[choice2207]

Thanks very much!