Switching from unmarried partner visa to Tier 2 (Employer sponsored)?

[sundae8]

Is it possible to switch from an unmarried partner visa to a Tier 2 (employer sponsored) visa? If the relationship has broken down, but the applicant would still like to stay and has already been employed with the employer in the UK for more than a year. The employer is in the register of sponsors with an A rating for both Tier 2 general and ICT.

Is it even possible to switch from an unmarried partner to a Tier 2 (employer sponsored) visa? If so, can this be done from within the UK? How easy is it?

[Casa]

You can't switch to a Tier 2 General visa from within the UK.

Your employer will have to carry out the full RMLT and show that the position couldn't be filled by a settled/British/EU applicant. As you are currently employed by the company, this may prove to be difficult.

[sundae8]

Thanks - was worried that might be the case.

Any idea if I was offered a different job by a different employer (if they are also registered as an A rated sponsor) whether I could switch to a Tier 2 work visa without having to leave the UK? Given the job has already been advertised with the public for some time and interviews undertaken.

[CR001]

You cannot switch to tier 2 general from your current visa within the UK. You must apply from your home country.

Only tier 4 student visas and tier 1 visa holders can switch within the UK if certain criteria is met.