timings for cos and visa app

I am currently living in uk on a valid visa
however need to switch category from home country for applying for tier 2
employment starts in feb 2011
how soon should employer apply for cos and how soon should I apply for the visa considering I have to travel abroad to get it

One must apply for leave to enter/remain within 3 months of the CoS being issued.

Processing times for EC vary from country to country and depend on the workload at the local BHC where the application is considered. Guide to processing times can be viewed on UKVisas website.

Please note that your EC issue date will be no earlier than 14 days before your job start date.


regards

Thanks for the reply
was very helpful
Howeevr my case is slighly complicated
I am currently on dependent tier 1, working full time as a non training doc
I have been accepted for a training post which was due to start in aug 2010 but has been deferred so that i can sort my visa out as I hav eto switch into tier 2 which I cant from uk
This means that I will have to take annual leave from current employer to go and get visa which obviously will be not more that 8 weeks.
also if ec in only 14 days before , I might get the visa but wont be allowe dto travel till near the start date...as I am asuming that my current visa would become invalid?
which is slightly worrying as i will have to resume work and also have dependent children going to school.

Plan your 6-8 weeks leave immediately prior to your joining date (Feb 2011) and coordinate with employing trust to arrange for CoS by then (taking into account the time UKBA could take to issue a CoS for you to your employer).

I think 6 weeks are more than enough for processing Tier 2 EC application. So, you can spend your annual leave in your home country, apply for EC while there and then return to UK 14 days before your job starts (on the new Tier 2 visa).


regards