Annual ‘Unrestricted COS’ allocation not done!

[snexperteye]

Hi All,

I'm in a desperate situation as most of these posts.
I’ll try my best to explain it below:

•Entered UK as a student - 2009-2011
•Post Study Work-Visa - 2011-2013
•Tier 2(General) - 2013-2016

My employer first applied for a Sponsor license back in 2013 - being allocated the 1 requested 'unrestricted COS' (which was used for my initial Tier 2 application), but has now failed to renew the annual 'Unrestricted COS' allocation for this year (2016).

The reason is pretty straightforward - change in management - my manager was replaced.
In retrospect, it looks like my old manager hadn’t done what he was supposed to do as a Level1/KC/AO user.

Following on - we requested to renew the annual allocation via the Sponsorship Management System on the 9th of May and it is still pending. When we called the Sponsorship helpline this week, we were told the allocation request could take 2 days up to 18 weeks, which is not ideal as my visa expires in another 3 weeks.

I talked to an OISC - Level 3 certified lawyer who recommended the following 2 options -

Make an in time application for -

•FLR(O) - Vary the application when we receive the COS.
•Tier 2(Extension) - Cover letter asking to hold the application until we receive the COS.

I'm weighing all my options and wanted to see what you experienced members would have to say?

Really appreciate your input across all these posts requesting your help and guidance!
Regards,

[snexperteye]

Just thought I'd share a quick update as to where I am today.

Our annual allocation was renewed/granted this morning!

Fortunately, it is true(at least in my case it was). The Sponsorship Licensing Unit does expedite requests from anyone who has less than 3 weeks left on their visa.

Didn't have to wait 18 weeks or go through "workarounds" I have mentioned above to continue working in the UK at a job that I love so much.

Time frame -
Request for renewal of annual allocation - 9th May 2016.
Annual allocation was renewed/granted - 31st May 2016.

Good luck everyone and , in spite of not having a single reply, I do appreciate the moderators/members helping out others when they can in every other posts!

[irfanzafar]

good that you shared your experience.

[supergood]

Hi, thank you for sharing your experience.

Sorry for my ignorance. What is the diff. between Unrestricted and Restricted CoS?

Thanks in advance.