Tier 2 Visa Extension Query

[john353]

Background:- My Tier2 visa is till April 13, 2012. The end date of the current job contract is March 29, 2012. Since my contract is going to be renewed, I will need to make a tier 2 visa extension.

After my company has issued a COS, when is the earliest I can apply: Dec 29, 2011 or Jan 13, 2012, i.e. is it 3 months before start of new contract (starting from March 30, 2012 - ) or 3 months befor visa expiry?

Also when is the earliest my company can issue me a COS? I have travel plans after the new visa and want to complete it asap. Hence the query. Appreciate your reply.

Cheers

[john353]

any comments please?

[john353]

Nobody has replied on my previous query (above) on when is the earliest I can apply by post and the earliest for COS issue. Can I ask a related new question?

If I decide to go for an in person appointment when is the earliest I can ask for an appointment? More specifically can the appointment be made only after the COS is issued or can I make an appointment even before the COS is issued? When I attend the interview i should have a COS.

[geriatrix]

Assuming 29-Mar-2012 is also the date (that was mentioned in the CoS) as the end date of sponsorship.

1. Ask you employer to issue you a CoS with new joining date as 30-Mar-2012.
2. Ask your employer to apply for a CoS on / after 01-Jan-2012.
3. As and when the CoS is approved, apply for leave to remain ideally before 29-Mar-2012 and definitely before 13-April-2012.

[john353]

Thanks @sushdmehta for your reply.

I will ask the company to issue a COS in the first week of January. If I go in for an in-person appointment, is it possible to make a booking for the appointment in, say, December (i.e. before I get a COS in Jan), so that I can attend the interview in, say, February depending on the earliest available slot? Please let me know your comment.

[geriatrix]

Booking PEO appointment online for in-person application(s)