In-country skilled worker visa application timelines

[aislinn12]

1. Type of application: Tier 2
2. Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 30 Jan 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 24 January 2014 (online and posted)
6. Date application received at UKBA:
7. Date payment debited:24 January 2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: waiting
10. Biometric letter received: waiting
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: waiting
12. Date of approval: waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: waiting
15. Date BRP received: waiting

[D_Torque]

1. Type of application: Switching to Tier 2 General
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : Tier 1 Post Study Work
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 4/4/14
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 08/01/2014 (ONLINE APPLICATION)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 09/01/2014
7. Date payment debited: 09/01/2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: Email
10. Biometric letter received: 14-01-2014 (Dated 10-01-2014) They had my address wrong.
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 15-01-2014
12. Date of approval: 17-01-2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 24-01-2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 17-01-2014
15. Date BRP received: 27-01-2014

The whole process took 14 working days including the posting and stuff.
Experience: They got my address wrong for the Biometric invitation but the letter somehow made it to me after 3 days. I have put in a complain to UKBA but that is only a human error. Probably because the second line of my address was a major bit which he/she ignored. They got my name wrong when sent my passport and documents back !! Otherwise, things were pretty straightforward.
Overall a great service by UKBA. They have, undoubtedly improved a lot.
Thanks

[t2ict]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 General (Switching from Tier 2 ICT with leave granted pre-2010, but was having ICT long-term due to in-country FLR renewal extensions, at the time of application )
2. Switching from Tier2 ICT (Granted Leave Pre-2010) to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 25 April 2015
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: One
5. Date application posted: 30 January 2014 @ PEO Solihull
6. Date application received at UKBA: 30 January 2014 @ 9.25 am
7. Date payment debited:24 January 2014
8. Payment mode : Credit/Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: -
10. Biometric letter received: 30 January 2014 @ 9.40 am
11. Date of biometrics enrollment: 30 January 2014 @ 9.45 am
12. Date of approval: 30 January 2014 @ 10.20 am
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 30 January 2014 @ 10.25 am
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: waiting
15. Date BRP received: waiting

Very pleased with the UKBA's PEO appointment service @ Solihull. The whole process took less than an hour.
Thanks everyone, particularly to Manci for the advice and information.

[t2ict]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 General (Switching from Tier 2 ICT with leave granted pre-2010, but was having ICT long-term due to in-country FLR renewal extensions, at the time of application )
2. Switching from Tier2 ICT (Granted Leave Pre-2010) to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 25 April 2015
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: One
5. Date application posted: 30 January 2014 @ PEO Solihull
6. Date application received at UKBA: 30 January 2014 @ 9.25 am
7. Date payment debited:24 January 2014
8. Payment mode : Credit/Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: -
10. Biometric letter received: 30 January 2014 @ 9.40 am
11. Date of biometrics enrollment: 30 January 2014 @ 9.45 am
12. Date of approval: 30 January 2014 @ 10.20 am
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 30 January 2014 @ 10.25 am
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 30 Jan. 2014
15. Date BRP received: 03 Feb. 2014

Very pleased with the UKBA's PEO appointment service @ Solihull. The whole process took less than an hour.
Thanks everyone, particularly to Manci for the advice and information.

[gingergarlic]

1. Type of application: Switching to Tier 2 General
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : Tier 1 Post Study Work
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 20/01/14
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 15/01/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 16/01/2014
7. Date payment debited: 16/01/2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: Not Sure
10. Biometric letter received: 30-01-2014 (Dated 27-01-2014)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 01-02-2014
12. Date of approval: Still Waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Still Waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Still Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Still Waiting

[huntercity]

1. Type of application: Tier-2 change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: Tier 2 change of employment
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 16/08/2014
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: One
5. Date application posted: 24/01/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 28/01/2013 (special NEXY DAY delivery!)
7. Date payment debited: 24/01/2014
8. Payment mode: debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter dated: 29/01/2014
10. Biometric letter dated: 29/01/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 01/02/2014
12. Date of approval: 05/02/2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 08/02/2014
14. Date BRP received: 07/02/14

Surprisingly fast, only last for 14 days from posting to receiving BRP. Unhappy with Royal mail service!!

[voiceofthepurple]

1. Type of application: Tier 2
2. Switching from PSW to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 21 April 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 11 January 2014 (online)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 11 January 2014 (online)
7. Date payment debited: 13 January 2014 (online)
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 28 January 2014 dated 24 January 2014
10. Biometric letter received: 30 January 2014 dated 27 January 2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 31 January 2014
12. Date of approval: 10 February 2014 (dated 7 February 2014)
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 10 February 2014 (dated 7 February 2014)
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: waiting
15. Date BRP received: waiting

[voiceofthepurple]

1. Type of application: Tier 2
2. Switching from PSW to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 21 April 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 11 January 2014 (online)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 11 January 2014 (online)
7. Date payment debited: 13 January 2014 (online)
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 28 January 2014 dated 24 January 2014
10. Biometric letter received: 30 January 2014 dated 27 January 2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 31 January 2014
12. Date of approval: 10 February 2014 (dated 7 February 2014)
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 10 February 2014 (dated 7 February 2014)
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 07 February 2014
15. Date BRP received: 12 February 2014

[psw2009]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 General extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: N/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: July 2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 3
5. Date application posted: 2nd April 2013
6. Date application received at UKBA: 3rd April 2013
7. Date payment debited: 4th April 2013
8. Payment mode : debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 9th April 2013 dated 4 th April
10. Biometric letter received: 12 April 2013 dated 9 th april
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 12 April 2013
12. Date of approval: waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: waiting
15. Date BRP received: waiting

I am in the similar situation, can you please share your experience my current tier 2 visa also expire in july so I will need to extend, can I ask my employer to issue me Cos end of March and I can apply for visa end April or start of May?
the reason I want to get the CoS before 6th april is because there may be more changes coming.

Thanks

[Shue]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 General
2. Switching from Tier 4 to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 30 Jan 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 23 January 2014 (online and posted)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 28 January 2014 (although posted using Special Delivery)
7. Date payment debited:24 January 2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card Online Payment
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 06 Feb 2014 (Dated 04 Feb 2014)
10. Biometric letter received: 06 Feb 2014 (Dated 04 Feb 2014, together with the Acknowledgement letter)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 06 Feb 2014
12. Date of approval: 13 Feb 2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 14 Feb 2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: waiting
15. Date BRP received: waiting

Still waiting for BRP, hopefully soon

[deepu4w]

1. Type of application: T2G
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: Tier 1 PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 12/02/2014
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 21/01/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 22/01/2014 (special delivery)
7. Date payment debited: 24/01/2014
8. Payment mode: debit card details in form
9. Acknowledgement letter dated: 23/01/2014
10. Biometric letter dated: 27/01/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 29/01/2014
12. Date of approval: 12/02/2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 14/02/2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 12/01/2014
15. Date BRP received: 14/02/2014

Note: I changed delivery address online on 07-02-2014 (friday night) as I am moving

[sid8055]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Priority postal
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from :Tier 2
3. Date of expiry of current leave: July,2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 13/02/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 14/02/2014
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode :
9. Acknowledgement letter received:
10. Biometric letter received: 19/02/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 19/02/2014
12. Date of approval: Waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Waiting

I have applied using a priority service and its almost been 10 working days and haven't yet heard from home office.

[WishChand]

Hi Sid, I have also given my biometrics on 19th Feb. Waiting for home office to reply. Expecting reply next week Tuesday or Wednesday. Please update incase you hear anything from home office. Looking forward to hear form you. thanks.

[sid8055]

Hello Chand,

Sure will let you know. Have you applied using priority also?

Thanks

[psw2009]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Priority postal
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from :Tier 2
3. Date of expiry of current leave: July,2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 13/02/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 14/02/2014
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode :
9. Acknowledgement letter received:
10. Biometric letter received: 19/02/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 19/02/2014
12. Date of approval: Waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Waiting

I have applied using a priority service and its almost been 10 working days and haven't yet heard from home office.

Hi Sid8055,

have you applied for initial tier 2 leave or extension?

Thanks

[WishChand]

Hello Chand,

Sure will let you know. Have you applied using priority also?

Thanks

No Sid, mine is Standard application.. Does it takes long time ??

[gingergarlic]

1. Type of application: Switching to Tier 2 General
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : Tier 1 Post Study Work
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 20/01/14
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 15/01/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 16/01/2014
7. Date payment debited: 16/01/2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: Not Sure
10. Biometric letter received: 30-01-2014 (Dated 27-01-2014)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 01-02-2014
12. Date of approval: 27-02-2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 28-02-2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Still Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Still Waiting

[thecoolsatya]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 ICT Long Term Staff extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : Extension Application
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 27/03/14
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 1
5. Date application posted: 07/02/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 10/02/2014
7. Date payment debited: 12/02/2014
8. Payment mode : Cheque
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 17/02/2014 (Dated 13/02/2014)
10. Biometric letter received: 17/02/2014 (Dated 13/02/2014)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 18-02-2014
12. Date of approval: 26-02-2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 27-02-2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 26/02/2014
15. Date BRP received: 28/02/2014

[ravenik45]

1. Type of application: Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: Tier 1 Post Study Work
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 14 March 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 23 January 2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 24 January 2014
7. Date payment debited: 26 January 2014
8. Payment mode : debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 30 January 2014 (letter date: 26-Jan)
10. Biometric letter received: 1 February 2014 (letter date: 30-Jan)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 3 February 2014
12. Date of approval: 5 March 2014 (letter date: 1 March 2014)
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 5 March 2014 (letter date: 1 March 2014)
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 1 March 2014
15. Date BRP received: 5 March 2014

Quite a backlog from UKBA this time, compared to the ones who applied on December and January....

[karim_9876]

1. Type of application: Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: Tier 1 PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 28 Feb 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 19 Feb 2014 (Online Application)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 20 Feb 2014 (Special Delivery)
7. Date payment debited: 19 Feb 2014 (Online Payment)
8. Payment mode : Debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 25 Feb 2014 (dated: 21 Feb)
10. Biometric letter received: 25 Feb 2014 (dated: 21 Feb)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 25 Feb 2014
12. Date of approval (approval letter): 8 Mar 2014 (Saturday!)
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 11 Mar 2014
14. Date new BRP received: waiting

[DSK12]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Priority postal
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from :Tier 2
3. Date of expiry of current leave: Sep,2014
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 04/03/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 05/03/2014
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode :
9. Acknowledgement letter received:
10. Biometric letter received: 07/03/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrollment: 08/03/2014
12. Date of approval: Waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Waiting

[pshk]

1. Type of application: Tier 2
2. Switching from Tier 1 PSW to Tier 2 General
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 11 Jan 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 6 January 2014 (By post)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 8 January 2014
7. Date payment debited: 9 January 2014
8. Payment mode : Debit Card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 10 January 2014
10. Biometric letter received: 10 January 2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 16 January 2014
12. Date of approval: 24 January 2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 30 January 2014 (by Second Class mail)
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 24 January 2014
15. Date BRP received: 7 February 2014 (missed delivery earlier in the week)

I used a legal service - application form/CoS check.
I enclosed bank statements of my ISA account, degree certificate, 3months payslips and a letter from my employer, on top of my passport and old BRP.
To receive your BRP, you have to be present at the address you put on your application form. You cannot make DXSecure re-delivery to another address.

[karim_9876]

1. Type of application: Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: Tier 1 PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 28 Feb 2014
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 19 Feb 2014 (Online Application)
6. Date application received at UKBA: 20 Feb 2014 (Special Delivery)
7. Date payment debited: 19 Feb 2014 (Online Payment)
8. Payment mode : Debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 25 Feb 2014 (dated: 21 Feb)
10. Biometric letter received: 25 Feb 2014 (dated: 21 Feb)
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 25 Feb 2014
12. Date of approval (approval letter): 8 Mar 2014 (Saturday!)
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 11 Mar 2014
14. Date new BRP received: waiting

14. Date new BRP received: 13-Feb-2014 (By ACTIVELY calling DX Delivery and setting up a delivery time)

You should not wait for the BRP to come to you. Given the poor and absolute rubbish DX Delivery is, they will probably not deliver your BRP until the 7th working day.

The main number is an automated one and it will ask you for a tracking number which you don't have, so instead call the general enquiries number 0844 371 3335 and it will ask you to enter a landline number to determine your area. Tell them you have a delivery 'from the home office' and they will transfer you to the relevant office to deal with your query.

For the London area the direct number is 0800 019 7847.

Call this number and give them your surname and post code, ask for your tracking number and set up a delivery time.

For next day delivery you need to schedule a delivery BEFORE 6pm.

Hope this help, good luck!!

[DSK12]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Priority postal
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from :Tier 2
3. Date of expiry of current leave: Sep,2014
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 04/03/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 05/03/2014
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode :
9. Acknowledgement letter received:
10. Biometric letter received: 07/03/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrollment: 08/03/2014
12. Date of approval: Waiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Waiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Waiting

BRP received: 12/03/2014

[psw2009]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Priority postal
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from :Tier 2
3. Date of expiry of current leave: July,2014
4. Number of dependents applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted(online): 13/03/2014
6. Date application received at UKBA: 13/03/2014
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode :
9. Acknowledgement letter received:13/03/2014
10. Biometric letter received: 14/03/2014
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 14/03/2014
12. Date of approval: 19/03/2014
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 19/03/2014
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Waiting
15. Date BRP received: Waiting