PSW expiring. What is the employer to do?

[Kamilla]

Hello! Would somebody please help me with the following.
My PSW visa expires in Dec 2012. My employer (a major bank, apparently licensed for applying for visas) is interested in arranging the next visa for me.
In order for me to be able to control the process and be aware of the situation, [b]would anyone please clarify what the next kind of visa I need is and when shall my employer apply for it? A link would also help.[/b]

Thank you.
Kamilla

[Lucapooka]

Tier 2 (General). Apply before your current leave expires.

[Kamilla]

Tier 2 (General). Apply before your current leave expires.

Thank you!

A few more questions, please:
1) We are planning to apply in the last quarter of 2012. What does my employer has to know/do in order to make it within the annual limit of Certificates of Sponsorship? Is it a matter of timing, can we protect ourselves somehow? [par. 62]
2) As I'm switching from PSW (Tier 4), can the period on my Certificate of Sponsorship be longer than 3 years? say 5 years? [par. 184]
3) Who actually fills out and submits the application? The individual or the sponsor/employer?

[vinny]

Your employers should read Sponsoring migrant workers under the points-based system.

You should read Skilled workers.