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The Daily Insight

What is a Tier 2 ICT visa?

Author

Daniel Martin

Updated on March 15, 2026

A Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer Visa (ICT) allows a candidate to transfer to the UK from an overseas branch of a UK company in order to undertake work on a specific project.

Furthermore, is Tier 2 ICT eligible for ILR?

The Tier 2 ICT Visa was designed so that companies could redeploy their staff to the UK in order for them to continue working in the business but in a different country. Since 2010 the situation has changed and you can no longer gain automatic rights to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from a Tier 2 ICT Visa.

Likewise, can I switch jobs on a Tier 2 ICT visa? First, you cannot change employers on a Tier 2 ICT, since by definition of the ICT, you must have worked for the company outside of the UK for at least a year, which you couldn't have done if you were in the UK working for someone else.

One may also ask, can Tier 2 ICT apply for Tier 2 general?

The standard Tier 2 General Visa applies obstacles such as the resident labour market test and the Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship scheme. This means that Tier 2 ICT Visa holders can gain access to the country very quickly and are not subject to the same requirements as Tier 2 General Visa holders.

Can Tier 2 ICT visa be extended?

Tier 2 ICT Visa Holders Depending on when you were issued with a visa, you can apply for an extension of leave provided that you have not spent the maximum time permitted in this route (5 years).

Related Question Answers

Can ICT Tier 2 visa holder buy property in UK?

If you are a foreign national living in the UK on a Tier 2 visa – for skilled workers coming to the UK to take up employment – then you may want to buy a property, either on a temporary basis until you return to your home country, or as a permanent investment.

Can Tier 2 visa holder apply for PR?

Tier 2 Conditions A successful applicant is given up to three years to live and work in the UK for that employer. This period can be extended later. After being in the UK for five years, it is possible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as permanent residency.

Can Tier 2 Dependants work in UK?

Spouse and dependents of Tier 2 Skilled Worker A Tier 2 permit holder can apply for their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and dependent children to join them in the UK. The dependents will receive the same period of leave as the main Tier 2 applicant. They will be able to work without restriction in the UK.

Can ICT be converted to Tier 2 general?

You can only switch from the Tier 2 (ICT) to the Tier 2 (General) in-country if you have continued to have the Tier 2 (ICT) under the rules in place before 6th April 2010. If not you will have to apply for entry clearance as Tier 2 (General) migrant, however the 12-month cooling off period may apply.

How long can you stay outside the UK on Tier 2 ICT visa?

As the maximum length of Tier 2 General Visas is six years (you can have an initial period of up to five years and 14 days and then an extension to take you up to six), any individual stay outside of the UK of more than 180 days is likely to mean you will not be able to satisfy the requirements of Indefinite Leave to

Can ICT work as a dependent in the UK?

Yes , you are eligible to work in the UK, on a Tier 2 dependent Visa. Your terms of employment will state that you can work as long as your dependent visa is valid. As you are dependent on your Spouse / partner for your dependent status, once the primary visa holders term expires, your employment will also cease.

Can I apply for ILR after 5 years?

Apply for ILR After 5 Years You can receive settled status from either Indefinite Leave to Remain or EEA Permanent Residence. However, there are restrictions to this and some applicants may have to wait up to 10 years before they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

How long is a Tier 2 visa valid for?

5 years and 14 days

What is the minimum salary for a Tier 2 visa?

The Minimum Salary Requirement: Tier 2 General The Tier 2 (General) minimum salary is either £30,000 per year or the appropriate rate for the job as stated in Appendix J, whichever is higher, unless an exception applies.

Who can switch to Tier 2?

Tier 4 visa holders are permitted to switch to the Tier 2 visa category without their new employer having to undertake a resident labour market test – provided they have achieved a UK bachelor's or master's degree, or a professional graduate diploma of education or at least one year of a PhD, and attained qualifying

Can I switch from Tier 2 to spouse visa?

Yes, you can absolutely switch from a Tier 2 General Visa to a Spouse Visa. You will, of course, need to become eligible to do so and this is normally the result of a change in your circumstances such as marrying a British citizen.

Can I change from Tier 5 to Tier 2?

In the Tier 5 guidance it says you can't switch to another visa but in the Tier 2 it says you can switch to this visa as long as you're not a visitor, student or temporary admin visas. You can only switch to Tier 2 if you hold Tier 1 or Tiere 4. Tier 5 does not qualify to switch within the UK.

Can Tier 2 visa transferred another company?

Tier 2 Visa holder and New or Additional Employment Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Workers on this visa who wish to leave their job and work for a new employer will need a new tier 2 visa. However, there is a cooling off period of twelve months before you can apply for another tier 2 visa.

Can international students bring their spouse in UK?

Some Tier 4 students are eligible to bring family to the UK as a visa dependant. Family members are eligible to apply for a dependant visa if: Your course is full-time, at postgraduate level* and at least 9 months long OR. You are a government sponsored student on a full-time course that is 6 months or longer.

What is Tier 2 UK visa?

The Tier 2 visa allows skilled workers to enter the UK on a long term basis to fill a skilled job vacancy; including in a wide range of skilled occupations including in IT, accountancy, teaching, and healthcare. The occupation needs to be on the Tier 2 occupation list the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers.

Can you switch from Tier 5 to spouse visa?

Tier 4 students and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) visa holders are included and switching from these categories is quite common. However, if you marry in the UK you are not required to switch into a spouse visa and you may be able to gain Indefinite Leave to Remain sooner by staying in your current visa route.

What happens if I lose my job on a Tier 2 visa?

Redundancy or dismissal If you're on a Tier 2 Visa and you have lost your job, it is the responsibility of your employer to inform the Home Office. Once you receive this letter, you will have 60 days or until the end of your visa to either make a new job application or leave the country.

Can ICT Tier 2 visa be converted to Tier 2 general?

It is possible to 'switch' from Tier 2 ICT to Tier 2 General, in country, in a limited number of cases. If you do not possess a status that allows you to switch you will need to return to your home country in order to submit a fresh application in respect of the prospective employer.

Can I get a UK work visa without a job offer?

In order to apply for most work visas, you'll usually need to gain a job offer with sponsorship from an employer in the UK first. However, you can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa without sponsorship if you: Want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

How long does it take to process a Tier 2 UK visa?

The Tier 2 visa processing time is usually around three weeks, however, if you also pay for priority services when submitting your application, you may receive a decision as soon as the next working day.

Can I travel to Ireland with UK Tier 2 ICT visa?

If you are travelling to the North you should have no problem, since your Tier 2 visa is definitely valid there. In that case your UK visa is not valid and you'd need to find out whether you require an Irish visa depending on your nationality (Visas for Ireland).

Can I study part time on a Tier 2 visa?

Re: Tier 2 General visa and part time degree Yes you can study but not full time and not that it affects your stated working hours and salary.

What is Tier 2 cooling off period?

The Tier 2 Cooling Off period prohibits Applicants applying again until 12 months have passed since the expiry of their previous visa. Complications can arise where a Tier 2 visa is curtailed by the Home Office and Applicants have to apply for Tier 2 visa another visa.

Can UK Tier 2 visa be extended?

The Tier 2 visa is initially granted for up to 3 years. If you intend to remain in the UK after visa expiry, you will need to apply for further leave to remain, by way of a Tier 2 visa extension, which can be for a period of up to 2 years.

How long can I stay in the UK after my Tier 2 visa expires?

There is a 28 day grace period, but that is for people whose tier 2 visas are ending and who are applying for another UK visa (not the case for you). I strongly advise you to leave the UK before your visa expires, or you could be barred from further entry and further visa applications.

Can I change jobs on Tier 2 visa?

Can I Change Jobs While on a Tier 2 Visa? Yes. Even though your visa relies on sponsorship from your current employer, it is far from impossible to move on to a different company. However there are drawbacks to changing employers which you must take into account when considering your moving.

When should I apply for Tier 2 extension?

Once your Tier 2 CoS has been issued, you must apply for an extension of your leave to remain (i.e. your visa) within 3 months of the date that the CoS was issued, or before your existing visa expires – whichever is sooner. You can save this application and return to it later.

Can ICT Tier 2 visa holder buy property in UK?

I am an Indian citizen and am working in the UK under an ICT Tier 2 visa? Of course you can. Any foreigner is able to buy property in the UK, and most nationalities are eligible for investment loans, although there are fewer banks offering them.

Can you change employer on a Tier 2 visa?

If you want to change your employer while on a Tier 2 Visa, you must ensure that your new employer is on the UK Sponsor Licence Register and is, therefore, able to legally hire migrant workers. This means it will be advertised for a total of 28 days before it can be offered to Tier 2 Visa holders.

Can Tier 2 ICT be converted to Tier 2 general?

You can only switch from the Tier 2 (ICT) to the Tier 2 (General) in-country if you have continued to have the Tier 2 (ICT) under the rules in place before 6th April 2010. If not you will have to apply for entry clearance as Tier 2 (General) migrant, however the 12-month cooling off period may apply.

How can I get ILR from Tier 2 ICT visa in UK?

On ICT there is no route to ILR. If you earn more than £120k pa, you can only stay for 9 years. If you earn less than this, you can only stay for 5 years and 1 month. You could switch to Tier 2 General if you are offered a job earning more than £159,600pa with a sponsor and they can get a CoS.