Tier 2 extension. Premium 'Application Date'

[dominicmck]

Hi all,

After looking over all the other posts I have decided the best option for my situation (expires 14 April, but I'll be traveling to Europe 2-10 April) is to do the face to face premium service. I understand that you can apply up to 28 days before your current visa expires.

My question is for the premium service, what is considered the application date, the day you submit the form online pay and book an appointment, or the day of the appointment itself. I just want to be sure that the new visa I get won't expire too early causing trouble for my ILR in two years. Basically if I completed the online application today, and booked a face to face appointment for 30th March (I understand you can book up to 42 days in the future), I'll be OK now and in two years.

Thanks everyone for your help (on this and all the other posts I've read).
Dom

[CR001]

The day of your appointment is the date of application and your extension visa will be valid from this day or possibly a couple of days after the date of appointment.

You should be mindful that the BRP card can take upto 10 days or 2 weeks to arrive. Unlikely you will have the BRP card before you travel on 2nd April if you apply on 30th March.

Why don't you apply for your extension when you return after you trip?

[dominicmck]

Thanks for the quick reply. I guess my only realy concern when choosing to have the appointment before or after the trip, was which is lower risk when I return (on a New Zealand passport). Having the visa extension approved but no BRP card, or entering with a visa with only a week left on it (even though I'd have an extension appointment booked that week).

Cheers,
Dom

[CR001]

when I return (on a New Zealand passport). Having the visa extension approved but no BRP card,

You cannot risk being admitted with out your BRP as you would then be admitted as a visitor with 6 months validity which could invalidate your Tier 2.

You can re-enter the UK up to and including the day your visa expires.

[dominicmck]

OK, sounds like I only really have one option then. I'll try book my appointment for the week after I get back from holiday but before my visa expires.

Cheers,
Dominic

[dominicmck]

Hi All,

Quick update for anyone who comes looking for info for themselves. 42 days out I tried booking I tried to make an appointment online, as 42 days was what I had read online. It showed the dates out to about 2 months, but most days from about a month onward had no availability. It was different between different service centres.

I sent an email to PSCAppointmentRefunds@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk asking how fan in advance I could book for Croyden. Their reply was: "At the moment due to a new IT system being introduced you are only able to book 4 weeks in advance."

As of today (not sure how long this will last), for people looking to book an appointment for priority in-person service, you are able to view available times without making a payment or 'completing' your application. I didn't know this going in, but would have been helpful to know. You can view future dates for appointments, if the one you want hasn't been released yet, you can quit the application and try again the next day/week/etc.

I will be trying again around the 12 of March to try get a 13 April appointment. Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers all,
Dom