Can I switch from Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) to a Tier 2 (General) visa inside the UK?

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
Why would you do that? Because a Tier 2 General visa leads to permanent residency (Indefinite Leave) after 5 years in the UK while most ICT visas don’t lead to an ILR at all.

The answer to our questions is Yes if you meet both requirements below:

1)     You had a Tier 2 ICT Established Staff visa under the Rules in place before 6 April 2011 and after that you extended it inside the UK. A word ‘extended’  is crucial here because those who had an Entry Clearance (outside the UK) at any time from 6 April 2011 can’t switch.

2)     You are applying to change a Sponsor. You can’t switch from ICT to General for the same Sponsor.
What is you can’t switch? Options include: leaving the UK, waiting for 12 months and applying for a Tier 2 General visa, to work for any Sponsor, including the one who sponsored you for an ICT visa at first place. Or to consider switching to a category other than Tier 2, such as a tier 1 Entrepreneur or a Dependant visa if your partner has his/her own Tier 2 visa, for example.

For an individual advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com

 If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training

 

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