Tier 2 to ILR - 5 year route and 10 year route

[Apamoh]

Hello,

This query is on behalf of a friend.

He came to the UK in Oct 2010 as a student. Post that he has been on Tier 2 General visa which he first got in July 2013. He will qualify for ILR next year in July (2018) through Tier 2 General 5 year route. However, he had a break in between, (last year) when he was made redundant with his previous employer in Feb 2016, and was able to apply for Tier 2 General with next employer in May 2016 which exceeds the minimum employment break of 60 days (qualification rule for ILR).

His current Tier 2 General leave is till July 2019. He will be applicable for ILR through 10 year route in Oct 2020.

Can you guys please advise on what options does he have to stay in the UK lawfully from July 2019 to Oct 2020 in order to qualify for 10 year route in case his ILR gets rejected next year (which in most cases it will)?

Thank you in advance.

[poper]

Read similar thread below

uk-tier-2-employer-sponsored-visas/tier ... 33160.html

[Apamoh]

Thanks poper it helped. One more question.

My friend currently is not on a tier 2 general shortage occupation. However a few shortage occupation roles suit his profile. If he gets a tier 2 sponsorship for a shortage occupation, will he be able to get one after 6 years of tier 2 on Non shortage occupation?