Tier 2 General Change of Sponsorer

[mitali712]

Hello @ Manci,
I have read your responses on earlier posts related to this topic,however since they are a little old i am posing this query again. Hope you can help me!!

My situation is as follows
I was issued a Tier 2 General Migrant Visa in July 2012 and my visa is valid till June 2015. I currently have a potential offer from another employer who is willing to sponsor my visa. My queries are as below
1. Can i change my employer?
2. Do i have to go back to my home country to apply for the new visa of can i apply within the UK?
3. Will my new employer have to conduct the RLMT before filing my visa application?
4. When do i inform my current employer about my new job?
5. Will my current visa be automatically cancelled when the new visa is applied for?
6. I need to serve a notice period of 3 months at my current employer, when should my new employer apply for the new visa?
7. Since my current company is based out of UK and i am on deputation, if i have to go back to my home country to serve my notice period, does the cooling off period apply to me?

Hope to see replies to my queries!!

Thanks

[iworker]

1 yes
2 can apply within uk
3 yes unless on shortage occupation
4. right after u get the new visa
5 yes
6 technically u cant serve a 3 month notice. ask ur new employer to give u start date of after 3 months. once u get the new visa, say in 3 weeks, u inform the current employer and give notice of 2 months and a week. Technically, they cant keep u for longer anyway, as once ur new leave starts, it will be illegal for them to have u working in their premises.
7. once u have got the visa withiin uk, u can go back and serve the notice and come back. If u go back and apply from outside uk, then the cooling period will apply. (someone else can confirm this)