In-country skilled worker visa application timelines

[Hrin]

if your company is not already a Tier 2 sponsor, they will need to apply for a sponsorship license - this will take around 3 months for approval. After they get approved, issuing a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) will take around 1 week, after which you can apply for your tier 2 visa.

The only thing that PSW is useful in is that the company does not need to go through a resident labour market test (which means they do not need to go through the formalities of advertising your job in the job sites etc). You would also need to be employed by your company for 6 months already. Thus, even if you have PSW, your company still needs to have a Tier 2 sponsorship license to apply CoS for you.

If you are running short on time (i.e. you PSW visa is expiring soon like within the next 14 days), you can contact UKBA to expedite your company's sponsorship license and your tier 2 visa. However this is not advisable.

Also, this it not the right thread to post this question in - as this thread is only meant for application timelines. Please post in main forum instead

[rehan01]

Hi Hirin,

Thanks for your reply and updating me with relevant information, first of all i would like to appologize for posting question in wrong thread but i guess it will be best to post it here because most of the people here will have better idea as this is timeline thread anyway my appologizes once again ... so i will private msg u the question i have in my mind regarding this

once again thx and my appologizes

[wonderer2012]

1. Type of application: Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: Aug 2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 1
5. Date application posted: 03/07/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 04/07/2012
7. Date payment debited:
8. Payment mode : Postal Order
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 09/07/2012 dated : 05/07/2012
10. Biometric letter received: 16/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 16/07/2012
12. Date of approval: 09/08/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 13/08/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 09/08/2012
15. Date BRP received: 13/08/2012

I ended up applying by post as I couldnt find any appointments available.
Thank you all for posting the information it really helps.

Cheers !

[UKmigrant]

Hi guys. I need help. Good afternoon. I sought assistance from an agency who i thought would help me throughout this process. I came over to the UK on a tier 2 gen sponsored visa, hoping everything was in order. However when i came here, the employer that the recruitment agency provided on my COS did not know anything about me and the COS issued by them. I have not work since I got here, because all i ever wanted is to work and be here in the UK legally. And since my tier 2 visa is sponsored, I am not allowed to work unless working for my sponsor. Please help what should i do? I am planning to process a change of employment application. And on the application form, there is this question asking if i am still working for the same employer? Which i have not even started. And if i answer no, surely my application will be denied. Please give me some enlightenment on this concern. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

What should i do?

[sapphire73]

Total Time : 28 Working Days

1. Type of application: (Switching / Extending) - Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - Tier 2 Non Point Based System to Tier 2 Point Based System
3. Date of expiry of current leave: July'2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 3
5. Date application posted: 10th July 2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a
7. Date payment debited: - n/a
8. Payment mode : credit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 13th July 2012
10. Biometric letter received: 16th July 2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 18th July 2012@Post Office & 19th July 2012@PEO because two of the Biometric letters didnt work at office
12. Date of approval:- n/a
13. Date of return of passport and other documents:16th August '2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 2015
15. Date BRP received: 16th August '2012

Hope this help other people.

[flaky]

1. Type of application: (Switching / Extending) - Switching
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 26/01/2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 29/06/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a
7. Date payment debited: - n/a
8. Payment mode: credit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 16/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 17/07/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 13/08/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 17/08/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 13/08/2012
15. Date BRP received: 15/08/2012


Thanks everyone for posting here! That helps a lot.
Good luck to all future applicants.

[skuma]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 20 Aug 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 29/06/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a
7. Date payment debited: - n/a
8. Payment mode: debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 12/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 13/07/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 24/09/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Awaiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Awaiting
15. Date BRP received: 26/09/2012

It has been long wait. Took alomost 3 months from date of application. So many applicants having biometric after me received earlier than me. I dont know why mine was delayed. Anyway I got mine now after stressful days. Now joining job tomorrow. Was unemployed for 2 months.

Good Luck to all.

[umatwit]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 15/12/2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 10/7/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a
7. Date payment debited: - 11/7/2012
8. Payment mode: debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 23/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 23/07/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: Awaiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Awaiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: Awaiting
15. Date BRP received: Awaiting

I were to start employment from 1st August but have to wait until I get the permit. I applied by post because I couldn't get any appointment till 21st August, on the day of posting the application. Are there any one there in a similar situation?

[Hrin]

1. Type of application: Switching to Tier 2 (General)
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from PSW (Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa)
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 10 November 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: None
5. Date application posted: 2 July 2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: N.A (Hired a visa agency to apply on behalf of me)
7. Date payment debited: N.A (Hired a visa agency to apply on behalf of me)
8. Payment mode: N.A (Hired a visa agency to apply on behalf of me)
9. Acknowledgement letter received: N.A (Hired a visa agency to apply on behalf of me)
10. Biometric letter received: 13 July 2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 17 July 2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 13 August 2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 17 August 2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 13 August 2012 - 24 November 2015
15. Date BRP received: 15 August 2012

[david1955]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 19 nov 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 1
5. Date application posted: 21/08/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 23/08/2012
7. Date payment debited: 20/08/2012 (online application)
8. Payment mode : Debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 31/08/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 01/09/2012
12. Date of approval: awaiting
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: awaiting
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: awaiting
15. Date BRP received: awaiting

[pbs]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: May 2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 06/07/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a (Applied through an agent)
7. Date payment debited: - n/a (Applied through the agent)
8. Payment mode: n/a (paid through the agent)
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - (Applied through the agent)
10. Biometric letter received: 20/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 20/07/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 25/08/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 31/08/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 15/08/2012
15. Date BRP received: 31/08/2012

[ech]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 06 Aug 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 02/08/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - 05/08/2012
7. Date payment debited: - 02/08/2012 (Online app)
8. Payment mode: Credit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 10/08/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 11/08/2012 (Post Office) and 14/08/2012 for son at PEO Croydon
12. Date of approval: 04/09/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 06/09/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 04/09/2012
15. Date BRP received: 07/09/2012

The process was much faster than I anticipated, I guess they are getting better at the UKBA. Thank you very much people on this forum, you provided me free advice that was very helpful.

[mcst2]

1. Type of application: Tier2 (General)
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from PSW
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 20 July 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time:0
5. Date application posted: 10 July 2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 11 July 2012
7. Date payment debited: 13 July 2012
8. Payment mode : Visa Debit
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 15 July 2012
10. Biometric letter received: 23 July 2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 25 July 2012
12. Date of approval: No letter was sent N/A
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 23 August 2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 20 August 2012
15. Date BRP received: 22 August 2012

Thanks everyone for posting on this forum, it was very helpful in figuring out my timeline!!!

The CoS for my company was received by UKBA in March but there was a long delay for the processing (10 of July!) but once the certificate was allocated it followed the UKBA website timeline given.

It took exactly four weeks from the time I enrolled my biometric details (20 working days) to the receipt of my BRP.

[rk_2011]

1. Type of application: Tier2 (General) == Online application for Extension ==
2. If switching, category changing (switching)
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 15 Sept 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 7 July 2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 10 July 2012
7. Date payment debited: 7 July 2012 (as application was online)
8. Payment mode : Visa Debit
9. Acknowledgement letter received: None as application was online
10. Biometric letter received: 16 July 2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 25 July 2012
12. Date of approval: 20 August 2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 22 August 2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from:
15. Date BRP received: Waiting should arrive within 7 days

[umatwit]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 15/12/2013
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 2
5. Date application posted: 10/7/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: - n/a
7. Date payment debited: 11/7/2012
8. Payment mode: debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 23/07/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 23/07/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: n/a
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 22/8/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 18/8/2012
15. Date BRP received: 22/8/2012

[mshahbaz]

Type of application: (UK Tier 2 Extension Visa)
Date of expiry of current leave: 31/Aug/2012
Number of dependants applying at same time: n/a
Date application posted: 13/July/2012
Date application received at UKBA: 13/July/2012
Date payment debited: 13/July/2012
Payment mode: Credit Card
Acknowledgement letter received: n/a (online)
Biometric letter received: 24/July/2012
Date of biometrics enrolment: 30/July/2012
Date of approval: 22/Aug/2012
Date of return of passport and other documents: 25/Aug/2012
Date BRP received: 30/Aug/2012

[politicfool]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 30 Sept 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 1
5. Date application submitted online: 19/07/2012
6. Date supporting documents posted: 21/07/2012
7. Date supporting documents received at UKBA: 24/07/2012
8. Date payment debited: 19/07/2012
9. Payment mode: Credit card (online)
10. Acknowledgement letter received: none
11. Biometric letter received: 02/08/2012
12. Date of biometrics enrolment: 02/08/2012
13. Date of approval: 23/08/2012
14. Date of return of passport and other documents: 25/08/2012
15. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 23/08/2012
16. Date BRP received: 28/08/2012

[kashguy]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 general (employment change)
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from: n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 13 Aug 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: n/a
5. Date application submitted online: 01/08/2012
6. Date supporting documents posted: 03/08/2012
7. Date supporting documents received at UKBA: 06/08/2012
8. Date payment debited: 01/07/2012
9. Payment mode: Credit card (online)
10. Acknowledgement letter received: none
11. Biometric letter received: 13/08/2012
12. Date of biometrics enrolment: 14/08/2012
13. Date of approval: 04/09/2012
14. Date of return of passport and other documents: 04/09/2012
15. Date BRP received: 05/09/2012

[Yajiv]

1. Type of application: Extending - change of employment
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 2015
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted:17/Jul/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 18/Jul/2012
7. Date payment debited: 19/Jul/2012
8. Payment mode : Debit
9. Acknowledgement letter received: 21/Jul/2012
10. Biometric letter received: 04/Aug/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 04/Aug/2012
12. Date of approval: 27/Sept/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 01/Oct/2012
14. Date BRP received: 01/Oct/2012

Eleven weeks of waiting ... unBElievable!

[david1955]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 19 nov 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 1
5. Date application posted: 21/08/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 23/08/2012
7. Date payment debited: 20/08/2012 (online application)
8. Payment mode : Debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 31/08/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 01/09/2012
12. Date of approval: 10/09/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 13/09/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: sep 2012 to dec 2015
15. Date BRP received: 12/092012

Quite Surprising me and my wife extension has been granted in just 20 days. I believe its because we submitted online application and submitted the biometrics ASAP.

Another surprise is we have recieved the biometrics card before our other documents like passport etc in contradictory with people recieving the documents first and then the biometrics card.

[owenhehe]

1. Type of application: Tie 2 general
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from : tier 4
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 31 Dec 2012
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 0
5. Date application posted: 31/07/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: do not know
7. Date payment debited: 30/07/2012 (online application)
8. Payment mode : Debit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received: n/a
10. Biometric letter received: 09/08/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: First on 09/08/2012, then Second on 12/09/2012
12. Date of approval: 28/09/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: 02/10/2012
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: awaiting
15. Date BRP received: awaiting

I received a letter from UKBA today, the letter was dated 12 Sep 12. And it told me to RE-ENROL the biometrics!!!!!!!

The reason they are giving is ''Unfornately the biometrics process was not successful due a technical issue.'' I went down to post office and re-done the biometics, and asked the post woman there. She said I was not the only one re-done biometrics!!

After over 1 month of waiting, this is what I got. I hope others are luckier than me.

Final Edit: I finally got my passport back, thank you everyone here helped me. Anyone has any questions, can pm me, I will try my best to help.

[Harleycoco]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Extending
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from NA
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 17/08/12
4. Number of dependants applying at same time:0
5. Date application posted:20/07/12
6. Date application received at UKBA:?23/07/12
7. Date payment debited:Unknown
8. Payment mode :Unknown
9. Acknowledgement letter received: Unknown
10. Biometric letter received:09/08/12
11. Date of biometrics enrolment:10/08/12
12. Date of approval:
13. Date of return of passport and other documents:10/09/12
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from:01/09/12
15. Date BRP received: 11/09/12

[geriatrix]

If you wish to post in this topic, before doing so please read the opening post in the topic carefully, which includes the following:

Do not make more than one post in the topic. If writing initial post before a decision / passport is received, please edit the original post to update - do not create a new post for every update. This will help members looking for approx. timeslines to figure out end-to-end processing time of a given application(s) at one place itself.
Remember the page number of this topic that you are making your post in .. or .. use the search function to find your post in this topic.

Queries, pleasantries, off-topic posts, duplicate posts, multiple posts relating to the same application, request for updates, posts enquiring about current timelines, etc. are not be posted, will be deleted without notice, and members posting irrelevant posts in this topic that require moderators to waste their time in cleaning up the topic may have their access restricted.

[corn327]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 Extension (change employer)
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from NA
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 14/01/13
4. Number of dependants applying at same time:1
5. Date application posted:25/07/12
6. Date application received at UKBA:?26/07/12
7. Date payment debited: 26/07/12
8. Payment mode :credit card
9. Acknowledgement letter received:
10. Biometric letter received:03/08/12
11. Date of biometrics enrolment:04/08/12 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 27/09/12
13. Date of return of passport and other documents:29/09/12
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 27/09/12
15. Date BRP received: 01/10/12

It's a long time wait, but just come in time as I start work from today! Good luck to the rest of all.

[ashleyj1703]

1. Type of application: Tier 2 extension
2. If switching, category changing (switching) from - n/a
3. Date of expiry of current leave: 14 Oct 2012.
4. Number of dependants applying at same time: 3
5. Date application posted: 14/08/2012
6. Date application received at UKBA: 15/08/2012
7. Date payment debited: - 16/08/2012
8. Payment mode: Visa Debit
9. Acknowledgement letter received: - 18/08/2012
10. Biometric letter received: 25/08/2012
11. Date of biometrics enrolment: 28/08/2012 (Post Office)
12. Date of approval: 17/09/2012
13. Date of return of passport and other documents: Not Yet (Anytime soon)
14. Date (new) leave to remain valid from: 18/09/2012
15. Date BRP received: 20/09/2012 (Missed DX delivery 19/09/12)

I Praise The Lord Jesus for a speedy processing of our application. All the best to the other applicants awaiting theirs.