Renewing Passport and Extending Visa

[boarder]

Hi,
I am currently on an Tier 2 sponsored visa which expires in July 2015 (I have been in the UK on this visa for just over 2 years).

My current passport expires in February 2015, which holds my current Tier2 visa sticker.

I would like to extend my visa now for the maximum time allowed, so after 5 years on the visa I can apply for ILR. Then I would like to renew my passport.

1) Can I get a COS from my current employer and extend my visa now?
2) What happens when I renew my passport? Can I have my new visa before Feb 2015, then renew my passport?
3) If I can't extend my visa yet, but need to renew my passport don't I need a new visa anyway?

Thank you!

[tier2_applicant]

1) Can I get a COS from my current employer and extend my visa now?
Yes, there is nothing in the following document to say that you can not apply now:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _08-14.pdf

However, you are most likely to get a biometrics card issued - so there will be no need for the sticker visa anymore.



2) What happens when I renew my passport? Can I have my new visa before Feb 2015, then renew my passport?

Yes, you can get the new visa first and then get a new passport

3) If I can't extend my visa yet, but need to renew my passport don't I need a new visa anyway?

No, passport issuing authorities will just remove the old visa from your passport and stick it on to the new one.