Change of employer from Tier 2(G) to Tier 2(G).

[ravisb_2014]

Hi Expert,

I am going to apply for Tier 2(G) (change of employer) VISA in couple of weeks.
I have few doubts as I am guiding my new employer by understanding the system and process with the help of
this group and going through guidelines. I really appreciate everyone's effort and time spent on this.
In future, I also want to contribute, if I can and understand correctly.
Please clarify the below doubts and let me know if my understanding is correct.

About COS from employer :
1. When does my employer need to issue the offer letter - before or after assigning the COS ?
2. I have previous Tier 2(G) VISA valid for 3 years from 1st June, 2014 to 30th June, 2017.
Can my new employer issue COS for 5 years or will it be for 3 years only as my previous cos or visa
was issued for 3 years only ?
3. They wanted me to start work asap. Do they need to mention the start date minimum after 1 month from
the COS assigned as it takes time by HO to approve the case and issue the visa or BRP ?
4. Should the difference between start and end date in COS mentioned by the employer
be exactly 3 years or 5 years or can be more than that too ?
5. In SMS guide in gov.uk website, I can observe below instruction while assigning unrestricted COS.
In the second option (select from the options below), do they need to select the first one (single certificate) or
second one (single certificate based on an existing certificate as I already have a COS from my current employer) ?

Create and Assign CoS. - Unrestricted CoS.
Tier and category
Tier 2 (General-Extensions)

Select from the options below:
. Create new single certificate
. Create new single certificate based on an existing certificate.

About VISA application.
6. https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/extend-your-visa
I can see here Extend your visa or Switch to this visa. As I am switching my employer, not the visa category, I think
I need to apply for extension. Am I understanding correctly ?
7. In Documents required category while apply for BRP, it is mentioned only below document.
1. your original certificate of award
As per my understanding, I think I need to submit all the below documents.
a. Previous all passports ?
b. Original Degree certificate ?
c. COS from new employer.
d. Payment details
Above are mandatory and below are optional as applying in UK.
d. Bank statement.
e. Payslip
f. Maintenace letter from new employer.
8. While looking at "Apply online for VISA Within the UK", i observed the link as below.
https://visasandimmigration.ipt.homeoff ... r2-general
BETA: This is a trial service.
It tells BETA and trial service. Do I need to use the same link if applying online or it's just a trial version ?
Or
It is better to apply in person(Premium or Post), not online ?

Thanks for helping me understanding and following the process correctly.

[ravisb_2014]

Could anyone please suggest ? Appreciate your help.

[ravisb_2014]

Frontier, iworker, manci, moonlight or anyone, please reply. It's really urgent. Please help.

[moonlight55]

Let me try to clarify most of your queries. Btw, you could have got all the info from gov.uk if u could spend some time there.

1. CoS to be generated only when the appointment is final. Hence, first offer letter --> your acceptance --> CoS
2. The total of your current stay (not the COS dates since the end date is still not reached) + new CoS should be exceed 6 years.
3. The start date is between you and your employer to agree. Note that you need to apply within 3 months of your CoS being issued else it will lapse. If you are working currently, you cannot work in your current job beyond the start date mentioned in the new Tier 2 BRP, so plan accordingly.
4. it can be anything! The sponsor just need to ensure that the total of previous leave and current do not exceed 6 years. Also, the fees is more if you apply for a visa for more than 3 yrs.
5. First one since its a different sponsor from the old one.
6. Yes
7. You can submit them. Note that Bank Statement is mandatory if ur sponsor does not agree for your maintenance. Payslip is not required.
8. Beta means they may want to collect your feedback at the end of the application process to improve it further. Beta service is still a valid way to apply. Also, application by post will take more time then the premium one.

[ravisb_2014]

Thank you so much Moonlight for your reply. I have read most of the policy documents in gov.uk, but as few of them are not straight forward and confusing to me, that's why posted all these queries.
I have few more queries on the same. Could you please suggest ?
2. The total of your current stay (not the COS dates since the end date is still not reached) + new CoS should be exceed 6 years.
[My comment]->Actually my Tier 2(G) visa (restricted) was curtailed as my current employer made me redundant. But till now, I did not receive the letter from UKBA (1.5 months over). So, in this case, will my VISA valid till 30th June, 2017?
I can start immediately. Can my new employer issue the CoS starting with suppose 1st Jan, 2015 to 31st Dec, 2020 (five years and not exceeding 6 years in total).

3. The start date is between you and your employer to agree. Note that you need to apply within 3 months of your CoS being issued else it will lapse. If you are working currently, you cannot work in your current job beyond the start date mentioned in the new Tier 2 BRP, so plan accordingly.
[My comment]->As mentioned above, I can start immediately as my current employer made me redundant. Suppose, if new employ issue the CoS on 25th Dec, 2014 and I apply for VISA on 27th Dec, 2014. I think it takes around 1 month to get the BRP after application is successful. So, should new employer give the start date after 1 month of assigning CoS, i.e. 25th Jan, 2015 or later ?
4. it can be anything! The sponsor just need to ensure that the total of previous leave and current do not exceed 6 years. Also, the fees is more if you apply for a visa for more than 3 yrs.
[my comment]->above two will clarify this query. 5 years is better right, if you want to continue with one employer as we don’t need to go through one more process for extension?
8. Beta means they may want to collect your feedback at the end of the application process to improve it further. Beta service is still a valid way to apply. Also, application by post will take more time then the premium one.
[my comment]->I have filled my application till CoS number, but not yet submitted as I don't have CoS. Can i still submit in Post or Premium ?
Is premium different from Beta service(online) or I can submit in Beta, can post or take a premium appointment too?

[ravisb_2014]

Hi moonlight and others,
Could you please provide your opinion?

[moonlight55]

Thank you so much Moonlight for your reply. I have read most of the policy documents in gov.uk, but as few of them are not straight forward and confusing to me, that's why posted all these queries.
I have few more queries on the same. Could you please suggest ?
2. The total of your current stay (not the COS dates since the end date is still not reached) + new CoS should be exceed 6 years.
[My comment]->Actually my Tier 2(G) visa (restricted) was curtailed as my current employer made me redundant. But till now, I did not receive the letter from UKBA (1.5 months over). So, in this case, will my VISA valid till 30th June, 2017?
I can start immediately. Can my new employer issue the CoS starting with suppose 1st Jan, 2015 to 31st Dec, 2020 (five years and not exceeding 6 years in total).
Should be fine.

3. The start date is between you and your employer to agree. Note that you need to apply within 3 months of your CoS being issued else it will lapse. If you are working currently, you cannot work in your current job beyond the start date mentioned in the new Tier 2 BRP, so plan accordingly.
[My comment]->As mentioned above, I can start immediately as my current employer made me redundant. Suppose, if new employ issue the CoS on 25th Dec, 2014 and I apply for VISA on 27th Dec, 2014. I think it takes around 1 month to get the BRP after application is successful. So, should new employer give the start date after 1 month of assigning CoS, i.e. 25th Jan, 2015 or later ?
As I said, it is between you & ur employer. A month to start is a reasonable time.

4. it can be anything! The sponsor just need to ensure that the total of previous leave and current do not exceed 6 years. Also, the fees is more if you apply for a visa for more than 3 yrs.
[my comment]->above two will clarify this query. 5 years is better right, if you want to continue with one employer as we don’t need to go through one more process for extension?
Yes, but a 5 year visa will cost more. Not sure if UKVI does more scrutiny on 5 year visas. Don't think so.

8. Beta means they may want to collect your feedback at the end of the application process to improve it further. Beta service is still a valid way to apply. Also, application by post will take more time then the premium one.
[my comment]->I have filled my application till CoS number, but not yet submitted as I don't have CoS. Can i still submit in Post or Premium ?
Is premium different from Beta service(online) or I can submit in Beta, can post or take a premium appointment too?

Honestly, not sure of this. Never applied for an extension as yet.

[ravisb_2014]

Thanks moonlight for clarifying my doubts. Appreciate your help.
Ok. As you suggested, 5 years will be cost more and more scrutiny might happen.
I will ask HR to create the CoS with three 3 years (e.g. starting from 1st Jan, 2015 to 31st Dec, 2017 and less than 6 years in total). I think while applying for VISA with same CoS start and end date, i will be getting a new VISA stamp or BRP (as in UK) with same start date and end date + 1 month as in COS ?
I hope extension in same company after 3 years does not need RLMT ?
Hope I am understanding correctly.

[moonlight55]

1. You will get a BRP.

2. RLMT not required if you continue in the same organisation & the same role doing the same job. If anything changes, they will need to do RLMT again.

[ravisb_2014]

Thanks Moonlight for guiding through the complete process. It's really helpful to me.
I hope this will be the last query as company needs to assign the CoS in another 2 weeks.

Should the Job description as in advertisement be same as what employer write in RLMT section in
CoS while assigning ? and selecting the SOC code.
2135 - says -> liaises with internal/external clients in order to analyse business procedure
...
2136 - says -> undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions; and other writing code and testing.

I have above two options as it's matching 50% to 2135 and 50% to 2136, but can I ask them to write job description as in 2136 which is really matching to my current work, but 50% might be different from the advert given. Please clarify.
2136 Programmers and software development professionals
Example job tasks:
 examines existing software and determines requirements for new/modified systems in the light of
business needs;
 undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions;
 writes and codes individual programs according to specifications;
 develops user interfaces;
 tests and corrects software programs;

[ravisb_2014]

Sorry to ask you so many questions as I am new to switching to Tier2(G) from Tier2(G).
In continuation to previous query, should the contract start date and end date in offer letter be same as start date and end date in CoS ?
Please clarify. Appreciate your help in advance.

[ravisb_2014]

Hi Moonlight,
Could you please provide your opinion on my previous two queries.
Thanks for your time and help in advance.

[moonlight55]

Hi,

I'm not an expert in SOC allocations (since employer is supposed to do that), so am not 100% sure of what it should be. However, logic says it the answer should be "YES" for both your questions.

[Frontier Mole]

Bit concerned about one point.
You were issued a restricted COS back in June 2014 but you have been made redundent in December?
How does that work out?

Your company canned you in six months. How much did you pay to come to the UK?