Tier 2 Extension. Conversion of SOC2000 to SOC2010

Hello all, I'm currently in the process of renewing my Tier 2 visa. My old visa was under SOC Code 1136 with the specific job being "Business Analyst" with an appropriate salary of £31,200. Now there's a new SOC Code 2135 for Business Analyst (the appropriate salary rose from £31,200 to £33,000 this year).

The problem is that in the guidance of conversion from SOC2000 1136, it lists only SOC2010 1136, 2133 and 2134 are the equivalent new codes, even though the detail for 'Business Analyst' within SOC2000 corresponds to the definition of IT Business Analyst for 2135.

My new CoS has been issued for the appropriate job description (2135). My question is if anyone has any explanation of how the UKVI is likely to approach this issue when treating my application. I'm doing the same job as I was when I got the visa after all.

If you apply under any of the new SOC 2010 codes, it will be treated as a normal extension application. Any other SOC 2010 code apart from the three you mentioned, will be treated as a change in SOC code and will be treated as a new Tier 2 application for which you/employer has to fulfill other requirements - e.g. RLMT.

The problem is that the old SOC 2000 1136 code included 'Business Analyst' as one of the job types with this specification in 2012, when I got the first work permit:

Business analyst
Responsible for defining the commercial objectives of computer systems. May action some prototyping within user services functions.
£31,200

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov. ... iew=Binary

When you look at the definition of all of those 3 codes that are replacing the old SOC 2000 1136, none of them fit 'Business Analyst'.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... 4_V0_6.pdf

However, there is now a SOC 2010 2135 called: 

IT business analysts, architects and systems designers

Example job tasks:
 liaises with internal/external clients in order to analyse business procedure, clarify clients’ requirements and to define the scope of existing software, hardware and network provision;
 undertakes feasibility studies for major IT developments incorporating costs and benefits, and presents proposals to clients;
46

Occupations skilled to NQF level 6

SOC 2010



Description
 communicates the impact of emerging technologies to clients and advises upon the potential introduction of such technology;
 provides advice and assistance in the procurement, provision, delivery, installation, maintenance and use of IT systems and their environments;
 examines existing business models and flows of data and designs functional specifications and test plans for new systems in order to meet clients’ needs;
 researches, analyses, evaluates and monitors network infrastructure and performance; works closely with clients to implement new systems.
Related job titles:
 Business analyst (computing)
 Data communications analyst
 Systems analyst
 Systems consultant
 Technical analyst (computing)
 Technical architect
Salary rates: New entrant: £25,800 / Experienced: £33,000

This argument may work for me but not for UKVI.

Btw, I checked the previous 1136 SOC code. Looks like this code was for manager level employees. Maybe your employer did not use the correct SOC code last time round. Maybe they should have used 2132 to start with. I know I'm being speculative but honestly, I don't see UKVI buying your argument. Maybe you need to discuss with your employer on possible options. Do your employer go through any immigration agent or law firm to process the visa? Maybe they could provide a solution for this.