Tier 2 Long term staff to Tier 2 General

[vaman1977]

I entered UK on a work permit Visa on 28th June 2008 valid for one year. Applied furthur leave to remain on May 1st 2009 and my visa was changed to Tier 2 ICT and was granted for 2 years. I renewed my visa again within UK on May 2011 and my visa was changed to Tier 2 long term staff valid for another year.

Now I would like to change the sponsor and switch my current Tier 2 long term staff to Tier 2 General within UK after 6th of April 2012.

Please let me know your expert thoughts on this.

[Agastya80]

I entered UK on a work permit Visa on 28th June 2008 valid for one year. Applied furthur leave to remain on May 1st 2009 and my visa was changed to Tier 2 ICT and was granted for 2 years. I renewed my visa again within UK on May 2011 and my visa was changed to Tier 2 long term staff valid for another year.

Now I would like to change the sponsor and switch my current Tier 2 long term staff to Tier 2 General within UK after 6th of April 2012.

Please let me know your expert thoughts on this.

I think you should be able to swtich employer (Tier 2 general) as your initial visa was issued before 6th april 2010. Although your new visa will be subjected to restricted COS rule.

[vaman1977]

Thankyou Agastya80. So this means that even though my visa is Tier 2 long term staff, I am still under the rules in place before 6th April 2010 since my initial visa was granted before this date. So I no more fall under the new rule after 6th April 2011. Thanks a lot for the clarification.