Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General

[lakshman1212]

Hello Friends,

I came to UK on 17th Jan 2010 under Tier 2 ICT and here in the UK since then.
I had my Tier 2 ICT extension twice within the UK.
(My current status - Tier 2 ICT Long term staff)

I am planning to switch to tier 2 general within the UK as I have sponsor.
Is this allowed ?

Please advise.

PS: I tried searching the board, but got bit confused.

Many Thanks,
Laks

[manci]

You are eligible to switch.
Consider the rules re. skill level and salary, get a CoS, apply for leave but don't give notice until your application has been granted.
You will also be eligible for ILR and can apply in Dec 2014 (28 days before 17 Jan 2015).

[lakshman1212]

Many Thanks for your advise Manci. This is much helpful.

Regards
Laks

[lakshman1212]

Changed my visa from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General with the new sponsor.
Approved on 16th April - same day service @ Croydon UKBA.
All went smoothly.

Received BRP cards on 22nd April.

This forum is of great help.

Cheers
Lakshman

[MubaIT]

Hi lakshman

I am also planning to switch from ICT to T2 G, But i read machi comments on 245E() where the number of years calculated from inital date of leave to remain , Can you please tell me how many year you got visa in new BRP ?? it is 3 years or just number of months left ?

This will be very helpful me to go head with new sponser,Please help?

Thanks

[lakshman1212]

Hi MubaIT,

I got 3 years in the new BRP, although I need only 8 months for ILR.


Cheers.

[manci]

@ lakshman1212

did you apply on paper or online? If online when?

[lakshman1212]

Hi Manci,
I was searching to fill them online but couldn't find that option during that time, so filled paper application forms.

[India_123]

Changed my visa from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General with the new sponsor.
Approved on 16th April - same day service @ Croydon UKBA.
All went smoothly.

Received BRP cards on 22nd April.

This forum is of great help.

Cheers
Lakshman

Hi Lakshman,

Hope you are fine.

I am also on tier 2 ICT visa and planning to switch to Tier 2 G with new sponsor. But the thread below says the 6 year limit for tier 2 G includes the time we already spent on Tier 2 ICT as well.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/uk-tie ... 62559.html

Did you apply after April 6th 2014? Did you go through any solicitor?

I request you to please help me with information as I've got an offer letter but in confused state due to the thread above. Your inputs will be really helpful for me.

Many thanks

[master14]

You are eligible to switch.
Consider the rules re. skill level and salary, get a CoS, apply for leave but don't give notice until your application has been granted.
You will also be eligible for ILR and can apply in Dec 2014 (28 days before 17 Jan 2015).

Hi Manci,

I am in the UK. At present I am on a Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff Migrant Visa [Valid from-Jul-2012]. I came in the UK in Oct-2012.

I am looking for options to switch to the Tier 2 General with another sponsor.

(a) Can I switch to the Tier 2 General?
(b) Can I switch within UK or need to go to my home country?
(c) What are my other work visa options within UK?

thank you for your help,

rgds,
master

[amit_sharma90]

while filling VISA online, do we need to fill it in upper case letters or normal case is fine?
thanks

[manci]

You are eligible to switch.
Consider the rules re. skill level and salary, get a CoS, apply for leave but don't give notice until your application has been granted.
You will also be eligible for ILR and can apply in Dec 2014 (28 days before 17 Jan 2015).

Hi Manci,

I am in the UK. At present I am on a Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff Migrant Visa [Valid from-Jul-2012]. I came in the UK in Oct-2012.

I am looking for options to switch to the Tier 2 General with another sponsor.

(a) Can I switch to the Tier 2 General?
(b) Can I switch within UK or need to go to my home country?
(c) What are my other work visa options within UK?

you cannot switch in the UK, you need to apply from home country after 1 year cooling off and will need a restricted CoS.

thank you for your help,

rgds,
master

[master14]

Thank you manci...

So when did they change this? I do know friends who switched within the UK. Or is it the case that the T2G to T2G switching is allowed within UK and T2ict to T2G is not?

-- And will there be any problem in renewing my present T2ICT within UK? Renewing a T2ICT within UK is allowed right?

Appreciate your help..

[manci]

T2 ICT to T2G switching is only allowed if the initial T2 ICT leave was under the rules before 6 April 2011. You can extend your T2 ICT LTS leave with a new CoS but only up to 5 years total stay in the UK

[master14]

Thank you very much manci...

Hope you don't mind some more queries:

1) I have understood that I need to go to home country to apply if I plan to switch to T2G but need clarity on the Cooling Off Period. Will the cooling off apply even if my present ICT hasn't expired. For example if my ICT is expiring in Sep-2014 and if I go to my home country next month to apply my new T2G, will I still face the rejection reasoning the cooling off period requirement?

2) What is LTS (i saw that in your reply)?
3) You said about the restricted cos. What is the difference between normal and restricted?
4) If my renewal within UK gets rejected, then how much time will they give me to leave the country?

5) Am I eligible to apply for ILR after my 5 Years in T2ICT?

thanks a lot,

[manci]

Thank you very much manci...

Hope you don't mind some more queries:

1) I have understood that I need to go to home country to apply if I plan to switch to T2G but need clarity on the Cooling Off Period. Will the cooling off apply even if my present ICT hasn't expired. For example if my ICT is expiring in Sep-2014 and if I go to my home country next month to apply my new T2G, will I still face the rejection reasoning the cooling off period requirement?
cooling off will be 12 months from the time you leave the UK
2) What is LTS (i saw that in your reply)?
long term staff (which is the visa type you said you had)
3) You said about the restricted cos. What is the difference between normal and restricted?
restricted CoSs are for entry clearance applications and there is a quota
4) If my renewal within UK gets rejected, then how much time will they give me to leave the country?
5) Am I eligible to apply for ILR after my 5 Years in T2ICT?
no

thanks a lot,

[master14]

Thank you very much manci.. Your help is greatly appreciated..

And would you know about this one? - 4) If my renewal within UK gets rejected, then how much time will they give me to leave the country?

[manci]

if your application is refused you may be able to appeal but if you don't, or are not given the right to appeal, it is best to leave the UK within 28 days of the refusal because if you don't this will have an impact on any future immigration application.

[master14]

Hi Manci,
Can a Tier 2 ICT Dependent switch to Tier 2 General through a valid sponsor who is ready to offer a job?

[manci]

Hi Manci,
Can a Tier 2 ICT Dependent switch to Tier 2 General through a valid sponsor who is ready to offer a job?
yes - application has to be from home country with a restricted CoS

[master14]

Hi Manci,
Can a Tier 2 ICT Dependent switch to Tier 2 General through a valid sponsor who is ready to offer a job?
yes - application has to be from home country with a restricted CoS

Thank you Manci,

- Does the cooling off period apply for this switchover? I was asking this for my wife. So when we do her T2G can I apply as her dependent now or I need to wait for 12 months as I am the T2ICT main applicant and am in UK now?

- And I also wanted to ask about T2ICT extension - Will it cost too much to an employer for an ICT extension COS? My company is asking me more than 3000 gbp!!

[manci]

Hi Manci,
Can a Tier 2 ICT Dependent switch to Tier 2 General through a valid sponsor who is ready to offer a job?
yes - application has to be from home country with a restricted CoS

Thank you Manci,

- Does the cooling off period apply for this switchover? I was asking this for my wife. So when we do her T2G can I apply as her dependent now or I need to wait for 12 months as I am the T2ICT main applicant and am in UK now?
there is no cooling-off for you to change from T2 ICT to PBS dependant and you can apply in-country

- And I also wanted to ask about T2ICT extension - Will it cost too much to an employer for an ICT extension COS? My company is asking me more than 3000 gbp!!
the HO fee is £184

[master14]

Hi Manci,

Can I move to Isle of Man for a year (if I have a sponsored job offer) and then come back after a year in the UK via T2G? Does my stay or 1 year in Isle of Man count for the cooling off period?

thank you,

[master14]

Hi Manci, Quick qn - for the T2 ICT Long Term Staff migrant visa renewal within UK, can the main applicant apply first and then do for the dependents? Or it is a MUST for the whole family to apply together?

thank you,

[manci]

Hi Manci, Quick qn - for the T2 ICT Long Term Staff migrant visa renewal within UK, can the main applicant apply first and then do for the dependents? Or it is a MUST for the whole family to apply together?
separate applications are OK but it is not advisable for the dependants to travel before they have the new visa
thank you,