Time to get an unrestricted Cos allocation

[gwen3]

Hello,

I had previously applied for a Tier 2 general Visa, which late got rejected as my employer assigned a salary that was below the required level.

They have not agreed to increase my pay, however when we came around to applying for a UCOS again, there were none allocated. My employer had requested one more, justifying that they had previously made an error and that they want to apply for the same candidate again with a altered wage.

My question is, would this justification be sufficient? Also what is the typical turnaround period for a UCOS for Tier 4 stitching to Tier 2?

Regards

[gwen3]

I mean they HAVE agreed

[nasmc92]

justification is Ok but it does take time in this case when a wrong COS has been issued

the old one has to be voided first and then they will re-allocate the new one because the old one has your details already

Back in 2013 for my first Tier 2 application. My employer assigned me Cos with less pay and then it took them 2.5 months to get the new UCOS allocation

[gwen3]

Thank you for your reply Nasmc92

What do you mean by voided? The first visa application itself had been rejected, so the UCOS that had been allocated for that shows up as used on the SMS system.

My visa expires at the end on October, therefore it is crucial that I get this allocation before mid October preferably. Is there any way that I can successfully push this matter forward? We applied for one new allocation on the 14th of September 2016.


Regards

[jafferali86]

Thanks nasmc92.

3 weeks after the request to increase the allocation was made, my new employer contacted Home Office for an update and they replied immediately asking for some further details. Looks like they missed to update HO regarding some business changes happened recently. They have now provided the requested details. And it's been 2 weeks since they submitted the additional information. Still waiting on the increase in allocation.

Anyone faced similar issues?

[gwen3]

Hello jafferali

Which email did you use? Was it the business helpline?
My sponsor is emailing them tomorrow which a justification why they want the allocation. They are sending off my passport, current visa and degree certificate copies, so they can hopefully speed the process up. My visa expires in 3 weeks.

What sort of changes did your business go through?

[jafferali86]

They mentioned that they just used the SMS system to add notes. And if we do that it will notify the relevant people. Don't think they have used any email ids. And I don't know much details on what kind of changes their business had been through. I am not currently working with them so don't know much details on it.

Hello jafferali

Which email did you use? Was it the business helpline?
My sponsor is emailing them tomorrow which a justification why they want the allocation. They are sending off my passport, current visa and degree certificate copies, so they can hopefully speed the process up. My visa expires in 3 weeks.

What sort of changes did your business go through?

[gwen3]

Thanks for your reply, I will check with my employer tomorrow and keep you updated.

What type of business are you going to work for? Also what visa are you applying for?

I am so stressed right now, really hope this works out.

[jafferali86]

I am into IT. Currently in Tier 2 General and now trying to switch employer.

Thanks for your reply, I will check with my employer tomorrow and keep you updated.

What type of business are you going to work for? Also what visa are you applying for?

I am so stressed right now, really hope this works out.

[PRCcap]

Dear Tier 2 fellow people,
My company applied for an UCOS on Sept. 13th and still no response. Could anyone please kindly let me know about the timing in getting this UCOS? My visa expires in mid-November. Still no response.
Does anyone also know any relevant email address to probably let them know any additional details? Usually it used to take like 2 days to get this UCOS and now three weeks later still no update.
Any response will be helpful. Thank you!

Thanks for your reply, I will check with my employer tomorrow and keep you updated.

What type of business are you going to work for? Also what visa are you applying for?

I am so stressed right now, really hope this works out.

[PRCcap]

Dear jafferali86,
If it is possible could you kindly find out from your employer which contact they used to reach Home Office. We tried several emails and nobody responded. Since somebody did respond to your employer that means they used a relevant one. I would really appreciate if you can find it out. Thank you!

[PRCcap]

Dear nasmc92,
Did you mean your employer requested an allocation on Sept 6th and got it in two days? Thank you!

my Employer did last week on 6th Oct and he got allocation in 2 days. it was a similar case that employer did not renew the allocation in April but as I have extension to allocation was applied

[gwen3]

Hi PRCcap,

Did your employer try the business helpdesk? We sent in a request to expedite our allocation as my visa expires on the 21st of October!! The request was put in on the 14th of September :/

G

[PRCcap]

Hi G,
Yes we tried twice. We sent two emails and still no response. We are waiting. We requested the CoS just one day before you did, on Sept.13th.
I wonder whether there are any delays that affected the visa procedures and perhaps that we as Tier 2 holders have to contact the UKVI office to let them know the company is pending the request and that we are ready to apply now... It's just that the waiting is quite stressful and I want to do something just to find out about an update and that maybe they need something from us but nobody responds. I am quite worried as well.
Cheers!

Hi PRCcap,

Did your employer try the business helpdesk? We sent in a request to expedite our allocation as my visa expires on the 21st of October!! The request was put in on the 14th of September :/

G

[gwen3]

Hi there,

What information did you provide in your email? I am currently on a tier 4 visa switching to tier 2.
I get what you mean by the wait. It's so so dreadful. I'll keep you updated if I get any form of response. The home office can be quite inconsistent.

[PRCcap]

Hi,
My HR just informed them that my work permit expires in November and that perhaps we need to provide them with more information and we are ready to provide any further info and we are kindly asking to treat it as an urgent matter if possible. I need to extend my visa. So we are waiting. What did you write to them?

[gwen3]

Basically we previously applied for a visa and it got rejected as the salary was low. My employer has now change my wage to the appropriate level. So on the email, they described the job, the company's requirement, and urgently requested for a UCOS as my visa is going to end. They attached a copy of my current visa, my degree certificate, passport copy and my new contract.

[gwen3]

Any changes yet PRCcap?

[gwen3]

Just an update guys,

I received my COS allocation today the 6th of October.
We put in a request on the 14th of September, and waited till the 3rd of October till we put in an urgent appeal to the business help desk. They then expedited my allocation as my visa is bound to expire on the 21st of October 2016.

If your visa is going to end soon. DEFINITELY email the business helpdesk who will then forward your request to the licencing unit.

My sponsor and I will put in the application next week.

G

[JG12345]

Hi I have a question

I am on a tier 2 general visa expiring soon
My employer ran out of CoS , so has asked for more and I believe this takes time.
I want to extend my visa and from your posts it seems that I require an unrestricted CoS.

I dont think my employer asked for an unrestricted one, can they ask for one now in October ?( some posts suggest April 2016 was the cut off for 2016/17)
If yes, how do they ask for one if they have never asked or got an UCoS? apparently it does not show up on the SMS.

Can I use a restricted CoS (if and when I get one)?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[JG12345]

Hi I have a question

I am on a tier 2 general visa expiring soon
My employer ran out of CoS , so has asked for more and I believe this takes time.
I want to extend my visa and from your posts it seems that I require an unrestricted CoS.

I dont think my employer asked for an unrestricted one, can they ask for one now in October ?( some posts suggest April 2016 was the cut off for 2016/17)
If yes, how do they ask for one if they have never asked or got an UCoS? apparently it does not show up on the SMS.

Can I use a restricted CoS (if and when I get one)?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[eduleal]

I suggest you read the guidance for employers, as it's pretty clear.

If you require an UNRESTRICTED COS - typically for almost all cases if you apply in-country - you cannot use a restricted one. Each case will be either restricted or unrestricted and you can't use the wrong one.

The good news is that they can request additional Unrestricted COS allocation at any point in time - it normally takes between 2 days and 2 weeks and they need to make a strong case explaining why they need it. This is all done on the SMS, they just need to read the manual...

[JG12345]

I suggest you read the guidance for employers, as it's pretty clear.

If you require an UNRESTRICTED COS - typically for almost all cases if you apply in-country - you cannot use a restricted one. Each case will be either restricted or unrestricted and you can't use the wrong one.

The good news is that they can request additional Unrestricted COS allocation at any point in time - it normally takes between 2 days and 2 weeks and they need to make a strong case explaining why they need it. This is all done on the SMS, they just need to read the manual...

Thank you 'eduleal', you are spot on as per the user maual I spent (painfully) reading all night.
I just realised the Tier 2 i had was an unrestricted one (Tier- 2 switching immigration category)and as you suggested pretty much all are
My employer tells me they have asked to renew their CoS requests on the SMS, it did not seem they made any case but clicked on some allocation request option and have asked me to wait. Im guessing these were unrestricted because my employer hasnt given out any restricted ones yet.
Nevertheless, will update whenever anything comes up.

Thanks

[PRCcap]

gwen3,
Congrats!
I am still waiting, but my visa only expires in mid-November that's why I hope we will have it like you did - approx.two weeks before it expires.
So you used this email businesshelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk right? And exactly what sort of documents did you provide? Thank you and congrats again!
BR
PRCcap

[gwen3]

Hello, sorry for the late reply.

So basically we sent the business helpdesk an email with the job description, my qualification and that the company have made a mistake in my last application. Additionally my sponsor attached a copy of my passport front page, visa , degree certificate and my contract that states my salary. They were really prompt in replying so it should work for you.

Just make sure that your sponsor sells you as a vital part of the company and that this role is the role is highly specialised.

G