Tier 2 Visa Extension - Queries including 180 day absence

[trueblue19]

Dears

First off, many thanks to everyone for this extremely useful website.

I have a Tier 2 General visa extension coming up in June and I'm beginning to prepare myself vis-a-vis documentation and other specifics.

Please note the following:

1. I'm working as an IT consultant, with salary well in excess of £60,000 per annum, and my role, SOC as well as job responsibilities havent changed in the last 3 years. My payscale is also as per the SOC guidelines and above the minimum threshold.
2. My salary has gone up significantly, due to normal but rewarding annual appraisals, since I was first granted the visa. Is this Ok? (I would assume so)
3. My role requires me to travel frequently outside the UK, primarily for business meetings (On personal account, I have only taken three holidays, outside the UK, in the last three years of around 10 days each on average)
4. Since my role requires me to travel on a short notice, I'm planning to apply for a same-day premium service.

I have a few questions:

1. For Year 1, my absence from UK, on account of work, was 100 days approx (and more or less similar for Year 2, and Year 3 - so far). I have duly maintained a document detailing days and dates of each absence for the last 32 months. I'm thinking of providing a list of these absences, on a company letterhead to Home Office. Is this OK? Note: Absences for each 12 month period, counted backwards, from today to the date of the issue of the visa, are well under 180 days per annum.
2. Considering my renewal is due by end of June, are there any expected changes coming into place on April 6th 2016, which may impact my application?
3. I plan to provide the following documents for extension. Are these sufficient?

- Completed Visa applications - self and spouse
- Passport(s) - self and spouse
- Bank Statement(s) and Payslips for last 12 months
- A new CoS, different than what it was on initial application, provided by an A-rated employer and certifying maintenance.
- Proof of evidence of English language expertise, provided with the original application 3 years back.
- Copy of Tenancy Agreement & other utility bills (Optional)
- Biometrics (as & when)
- A letter from the employer detailing the duration of absences and reasons.

Are there any other documents I should plan to submit? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Also, While my case will be represented by an OISC regulated Immigration Law firm, I still want to double-check all the documents myself too. During my initial application, I was able to identify at least 6 mistakes in my visa application (which was filled by the immigration lawyer). Devil is in the detail, sometimes.

Many Thanks.

[CR001]

working as an IT consultant

Are you an employee of a company (sponsor) or a consultant?

[trueblue19]

working as an IT consultant

Are you an employee of a company (sponsor) or a consultant?

Apologies, I should have specified that. I'm a full-time employee of the sponsoring UK employer.

[trueblue19]

Hello again, Can anyone please respond on these queries? Thanks.

[trueblue19]

Hi

I have a PSC appointment on Tuesday 3rd May at Croydon for Tier 2 General Renewal, for me and my spouse. No change in Job, Job Title, Responsbilities or Employer. Salary is well above the threshold.

I will be accompanied by the immigration lawyer from a reputed OISC registered firm, assigned by my employer. The immigration lawyer has asked me to carry just the Passport(s) and Two PP size photo(s). FYI, Employer has already issued a new unrestricted CoS and has certified maintenance.

For my peace of mind, are there any documents I need to carry as supplementary/supporting information? Anyone's experience at the PSC centre on the day of appointment will be appreciated.

Please let know.

Thanks

[CR001]

You need to take the documents that are asked for as supporting evidence in the form and guidance.