Many highly skilled consultants, mainly within IT are debuted to the UK via an MNC on a Tier 2 ICT Visa. The allure of working in the UK and for top clients is great, however many want to stay long term.
In line with the current guidance only people who obtained an ICT Long term Visa before April 2011 are able to switch in country to a Tier 2 General Visa and therefore not subject to the 12 month cooling off period. The 12 month cooling off period is where people must leave and be outside of the UK for a 12 month period. Refer to our blog here - https://www.mavisas.co.uk/news/2017/9/7/when-does-the-tier-2-cooling-off-period-apply
Naturally there are very few people who have an ICT before April 2011 therefore this does limit options.
However, it is not all doom and gloom! Should a main applicant on an ICT have a highly skilled spouse into IT and the spouse is able to secure a job offer and sponsorship then they can effectively switch around. The spouse would become a main applicant on a Tier 2 General and the ICT main applicant can look to become their dependent.
This option is attractive for 2 reasons:
With Tier 2 General there is a route to ILR & Permanent Residency
Gives the original ICT main applicant freedom on the dependent visa to take up permanent or contract work. This is especially attractive should the original ICT main applicant be very highly skilled an able to demand very high day rates/salary
Should you be in this situation and looking at options or simply for more information, do get in touch at consult@mavisas.co.uk. As said IT Consultants only as we work with some IT Consultancies who under certain circumstances, may be able to help.
Thanks in advance
Mason