SWITCH TO SKILLED WORKER VISA UK UNDER NEW IMMIGRATION RULES.
Find out if you can switch from Tier 2 ICT to Skilled Worker Visa within the UK.
The new Immigration Rules will make it more flexible for migrants to switch to Skilled Worker Route without leaving the UK. Current rules also require the migrant workers under Tier 2 ICT to leave the UK for twelve months 'Cooling Off' period before they can apply again for the current Tier 2 Work Visa.
The other major benefit will be for those who are in the UK under Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer i.e. Tier 2 ICT as they will now be allowed to switch from Tier 2 ICT to Skilled Worker Route and will be able to qualify for ILR or permanent settlement in the UK.
If you are in the UK under intra company transfer route and meet the new skilled worker visa route requirement, you may be able to switch to Skilled Worker Visa. If you wish to find your eligibility, please use the Skilled Worker Visa Points Calculator.
The most important question from those on T2 ICT is "Can my current employer sponsor me as a Skilled Worker, if I am currently under Tier 2 ICT?"
The New Immigration Rules are not very clear at this stage, however we feel that if your employer has Tier 2 General Sponsor License, which will automatically be converted to Skilled Worker Sponsor License, and if you qualify for Skilled Worker Route, you may be able to switch from Tier 2 ICT to Skilled Worker with the same employer. The Guidance published in July 2020 is not clear on this point, however we hope that the UK Government will issue new guidance closer to 1st January 2021 in this matter. Please bookmark this page and keep visiting frequently.
If your current Tier 2 ICT Sponsor Employer cannot switch you to Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to find a new employer.
Please note that you will need to meet all the requirements of the New Skilled Worker route to switch the visa within the UK.
How HSMP Services can help?
If you are in the UK and would like to find out if you can switch to Skilled Worker Visa within the UK, please contact us and we will be happy to assess your documents and confirm whether you can switch your visa.
To begin with you may be able to use the Points Calculator for Skilled Worker Visa.
If you can switch within the UK and have found a new employer who is willing to sponsor you, but does not have the Sponsor License in place, please request them to contact us and we will be happy to help them with the process.
Disclaimer
HSMP Immigration Services UK Ltd. is striving hard to provide comprehensive and accurate information - including points calculators for various visa categories - to help you in finding if you would qualify under the visa category you are interested in to migrate to the UK. While every care is taken in selecting the content for the website and calculators, you should be aware the UK Immigration Rules keep changing from time to time. The information available on this site may be relevant on the date of publication of this page however the immigration related information does not constitute the legal advice. We recommend that you seek independent immigration advice from regulated immigration advisers or law firms specialising in immigration matters.
In case of any doubt, please contact HSMP Immigration Services UK Ltd..