Way forward from Tier 1 (Post April 2011)

[coolfella]

Dear friends,

Hope you are well. With recent changes around Tier 1 limits and other arrangements around it, I just wanted clarify the below:

Any comments/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Currently, I am on Tier 1 (General) & the visa is about to expire on June 2012. Entered this country on 5th of Sept 2002.

Assumptions:
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I believe application for my Tier 1 extension can't be submitted earlier than or on April 2011 as I have a year and some months left on my Visa. Please clarify as to whether it is feasible.

Should I consider a switch back to Tier 2 through the company that I am with? If so, should I consider it before or on April 2011 or can it be carried out at a later stage. e.g. around April or May 2012. What are the advantages and disadvantages of switching earlier.

Not sure if there will be any changes around ILR but the intention here is to fulfil 10 years and stay legally with work permit.

Please advise.

Kind regards,
Imz

[gregshukla]

Dear friends,

I believe application for my Tier 1 extension can't be submitted earlier than or on April 2011 as I have a year and some months left on my Visa. Please clarify as to whether it is feasible.

Should I consider a switch back to Tier 2 through the company that I am with? If so, should I consider it before or on April 2011 or can it be carried out at a later stage. e.g. around April or May 2012. What are the advantages and disadvantages of switching earlier.

Not sure if there will be any changes around ILR but the intention here is to fulfil 10 years and stay legally with work permit.

Please advise.

Kind regards,
Imz

You can apply whenever you want if you are eligible. Only, the extension you get will be for 2 years from date of stamping (and not date of current leave expiring) if you apply early.

Since you current leave is till 2012, dont you fulfill 10 year requirement anyway? Or are you falling few months short?

[coolfella]

You can apply whenever you want if you are eligible. Only, the extension you get will be for 2 years from date of stamping (and not date of current leave expiring) if you apply early.

Since you current leave is till 2012, dont you fulfill 10 year requirement anyway? Or are you falling few months short?

Dear friend,

Many thanks for your input, if I carry on with my current visa I will have a shortfall of 3 months hence a bit worried as I do not know how this can be fulfilled.

It leads me to another quest whether 10 years legal stay including IGS/PSW will be count as there are opinions whereby stay on IGS/PSW does not count or aide 10 years ILR apps.

Please clarify.

Kind Regards,
Imz