Have Tier 1, must I get Tier 2?

[jlny]

Hi,
I'm currently in the US and have a Tier 1 visa. I'm planning on moving to the UK to live with my BF. It's possible my current US job will transfer me to our UK office. Can I work there for my company with a Tier 1 visa, or would I have to apply for a Tier 2 visa for intra-company transfers?

I was also thinking that I could continue to get paid out of the US office, but live in the UK on my Tier 1. This would prevent me from extending my visa when it expires, and would also likely set me up for hassles at immigration anytime I re-enter the UK. Any thoughts??

Thanks!!

p.s. I had to get the Tier 1 in March 2009 b/c I'd no longer be eligible once they changed the rules to require a master's degree and there is never any guarantee my company will transfer me

[ChetanOjha]

Hi,
I'm currently in the US and have a Tier 1 visa. I'm planning on moving to the UK to live with my BF. It's possible my current US job will transfer me to our UK office. Can I work there for my company with a Tier 1 visa, or would I have to apply for a Tier 2 visa for intra-company transfers?

I was also thinking that I could continue to get paid out of the US office, but live in the UK on my Tier 1. This would prevent me from extending my visa when it expires, and would also likely set me up for hassles at immigration anytime I re-enter the UK. Any thoughts??

Thanks!!

p.s. I had to get the Tier 1 in March 2009 b/c I'd no longer be eligible once they changed the rules to require a master's degree and there is never any guarantee my company will transfer me

If you have Tier-1 in UK, then by all means you should work on Tier1 visa. I would not even think to switch on Tier-1 or ICT.

[jlny]

Thanks. I agree, I would not give up a Tier 1 visa.

Does anyone know if I can work essentially as an intra-company transfer under a Tier 1 visa, or would I be required to get a Tier 2 visa? Would my company have to "re-hire" me in the UK and advertise my job, etc. if I kept my Tier 1?

[winber]

So long as you can get the company to pay you a UK salary from the UK office, I don't see why they would need to readvertise the job.

In any case you'd be crazy to give up a Tier 1 visa since by the sounds of it you wouldn't be eligigle for it in the future. You'd be better off taking the risk looking for another job in the UK in my opinion.

[jlny]

Thanks!
I'm paranoid b/c in the US I'd be terrified to do anything that remotely sounded like a potential visa violation!

[ChetanOjha]

Thanks. I agree, I would not give up a Tier 1 visa.

Does anyone know if I can work essentially as an intra-company transfer under a Tier 1 visa, or would I be required to get a Tier 2 visa? Would my company have to "re-hire" me in the UK and advertise my job, etc. if I kept my Tier 1?

You can work with Tier1 visa.