Switching from Tier 2 ICT dependent to Tier 2 General

[VVHAR84]

Hi,
I am in UK on a Tier 2 ICT dependent visa owing to my husband's employment. I have now been offered a job by a university, who want me to join immediately on my dependent visa itself. They however guarantee that they would eventually work on getting me a COS and Tier 2 general visa. I am all confused now because I read somewhere that the employer has to apply for a COS within 5 months of the job advertisement. Do such rules exist? Or is it safe to begin employment with them and then eventually get them to apply for a COS based on their and my convenience (I will have to go back to India to apply for Tier 2 general, as per my knowledge). I would be really grateful for any response from you!

[CR001]

I am all confused now because I read somewhere that the employer has to apply for a COS within 5 months of the job advertisement. Do such rules exist?

Yes, RLMT is only valid for 6 months if they wish to sponsor a migrant for Tier 2 General.

Or is it safe to begin employment with them and then eventually get them to apply for a COS based on their and my convenience (I will have to go back to India to apply for Tier 2 general, as per my knowledge).

They can apply for a CoS for you at any point, provided they have met the RLMT requires. Yes, you have to apply from home country.

[VVHAR84]

Thank you very much for the response! Very helpful!

[VVHAR84]

In continuation to my current situation, I am planning to visit my home country in a few months to apply for Tier 2 General visa. My children are currently in UK as my spouse's dependents. Later this year, I want to switch my spouse and my children as dependents to my visa (we do not have finances to process all 4 together). Can this process be undertaken from inside UK, once I have my Tier 2 G visa in place?

Please let me know.

[Sv2018]

Yes your dependents can apply from within the UK provided they should have valid leave to remain/ visa (husband's ICT visa).

Please note the processing time for your dependents will be longer as far as my understanding if you apply from within the UK.

If your dependents will Apply for the visa from the home country it may be quicker.

[VVHAR84]

Ok, I get it..so applying together from India might be the fastest option for us. Thank you!

[CR001]

Please note the processing time for your dependents will be longer as far as my understanding if you apply from within the UK.

If your dependents will Apply for the visa from the home country it may be quicker.

Within the UK dependents can apply in person at premium service. Postal could take 8 weeks.

[VVHAR84]

OK!
If I am applying from India, with my children, should I produce any letter from my spouse, confirming his agreement for the application? I did not find anything of that sort when I searched, but I would still like to confirm, if anyone has any knowledge about it. Thank you!

[CR001]

If your spouse is not applying at the same time as the children for a dependent visa, then you might face issues.

You can apply for your dependents in the UK once your visa is granted and you have come back.