🇬🇧 Great news for Tier 2 ICT migrants - switching to a better visa is made easy!

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If you happened to be on a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa in the UK, we have great news for you! The new Points-Based Immigration System, in force from 1 December 2020, allows switching from a Tier 2 ICT to the new Skilled Worker visa. We can truly call it ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for ICT migrants, desperately trying to switch to a visa that offers settlement in the UK. 

The old, strict Tier 2 General visa under the old pre-Brexit Points-Based System is replaced with a new Skilled Worker visa under the new, post-Brexit, Points-Based Immigration System. (It does require focus to keep up!). There are many positive changes for both migrant workers and UK employers but the ICT change deserves a separation mention. For years, the ICT category was easier and quicker for UK businesses but very unfavourable for the migrants - it didn’t lead to settlement. And if you wanted to switch to the main Tier 2 General visa, that does lead to settlement, you had to leave the UK, wait for 12 months (cooling-off period) and come back on a new visa. If your Sponsor allowed that, if they wanted to advertise your job to justify hiring a foreigner, if they wanted to apply for a restricted certificate and complete with others on salary (to get a place within the annual limit).

Under the new system, UK employers don't need to do all that - they can switch you from the old ICT to a new Skilled Worker, so you could start your qualifying period for settlement (Indefinite Leave). They have to score enough points under the new system but in most instances, it should be relatively easy. 

As always, we are here to help! To read more about the new PBIS in general, visit our post 10 good things about the new UK Points-Based Immigration System.

To get in touch - simply reply to this email or contact via the usual phone numbers. To discuss your situation one-to-one with an Immigration Lawyer, book an online consultation here.

 

1st 4Immigration team 


1st 4Immigration is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 10 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN. www.1st4immigration.com 

Property Management in London from our sister company, MTV Properties, www.mtv-properties.com

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