As a potential Tier2 ICT Migrant you may have different routes as per the current immigration rules to switch from your current Tier 2 ICT to any other visa category.

According to the current UK Immigration rules  there is a cooling off period of  12 months  in place to restrict Tier 2 ICT migrants from re entering the UK on a Tier 2 General migrant Visa.

However these restrictions will not affect  Tier 2 ICT visa holder to switch into a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa category. In the current favourable economic climate in the UK, government is actively promoting Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.   If you have access to £ 200,000 to invest in  UK  or access to £ 50,000 from an approved FCA venture capital firm or UKTI approved Seed funding competition fund You are eligible to switch into Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category.

Even though such options are available to Tier 2 ICT migrants most of them usually return back to their home country on expiry of their visa and wait for the cooling period (12 months) to renter the UK.

For re entry ex- tier 2 Migrants mostly rely on IT consultants to get Tier 2 General Visa, thus end up paying  15% to 20 % of their gross earnings to these consultants as fees or commission until they are eligible to qualify for their ILR(Indefinite Leave to remain) as their hands are fettered.

Those who do not have funds to invest in UK. We at Legend Solicitors will be able to advice on different government policies and documentation to secure funding for start up business.