Time required for increase unrestricted CoS allocation

[vasanth.dream]

Hi Mahir,

Mine one they requested on oct 13. still no update.
I am Really worried and afraid about this. I hope will get soon.

Thanks
Vasanth

[JG12345]

Hi ,

we calling them this number 0300 123 2241 and mail id is
BusinessHelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks
Vasanth

Hi Vasanth

I believe the email address is the right one but unfortunately I can't confirm the number

I have asked a friend but have not had a response yet
I will keep trying

Thanks

[aziznurani]

Hi

We have applied on 14th Nov'16 with their "new priority service" paying £200 but still no response.. Have emailed them and called their general enquiry but no joy yet

[aziznurani]

Hi All

Just to share that we have received COS and finally we managed to assign it and applied for visa. It took around 20 days (14 Nov'16 to 5 Dec'16) and they didn't even send any email or letter, it was just showing there as unused COS in SMS.

Thanks

[geet_k]

Hi All

Just to share that we have received COS and finally we managed to assign it and applied for visa. It took around 20 days (14 Nov'16 to 5 Dec'16) and they didn't even send any email or letter, it was just showing there as unused COS in SMS.

Thanks

Was this using the priority service?

[aziznurani]

yes it was priority service, but still took almost 3 weeks

[manish112]

Hi Guys,

We cannot reach the priority service number. It is engaged all the time.

Have you been having the same issue?

[sabi27]

Hi Guys,

I and 2 of my colleagues are in the same boat as most of you guys are.

We have exactly one week left on our visa. Our employer have submitted CoS allocation application via premium service paying £200 on 5th of this month. It has been a week but CoS allocation does not show in SMS system.

They have send them many emails chasing the case but no luck. They have also done a whole lot of rounds calling/trying calling them but no luck so far.

As per our HR, HO is not answering, saying or confirming to any query, information, request they have made so far.

Any other suggestions?

Best Regards,

[gmng]

Hi Everyone,

Need some urgent help/advise please.

My visa is expiring in end of Feb 2017 and my new employer already requested a UCOS increase on 20/12/2016 but its been over 2 weeks and no allocation. Tried calling them but not much of a help, its mostly coming busy. My employer is thinking of using the new priority service. I wanted to check on a few things before taking that route -

• - If we can put the already raised UCOS in priority service or would it be a new UCOS increase request in priority service?
  
  - Would the request date of requested UCOS will still remain 20/12/2016 or would it change to new date on which put in priority service?
  
  - Is the turnaround for COS allocation really 5 working days? Has anyone used this service recently?
  
  - Whats the turnaround for COS allocation we are seeing around this time of the year using priority and normal service?

Also I am a little confused about this COS. Is this type of COS (unrestricted) also need to be submitted before 5th of the month to be allocated in the month cycle? Or can be applied any time? Also would these COS be considered in Jan 11th allocation meeting? My case is a switch of employer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards.

[flower2013]

Hi Sabi and Vasanth,

Did you received your CoS now?? Please provide an update on your situation.
Thanks

[sabi27]

Hi Sabi and Vasanth,

Did you received your CoS now?? Please provide an update on your situation.
Thanks

Hi Flower,

I am still waiting for our COS allocation in SMS. IT has been 12 days (10 working days) since we had requested via priority service. We have sent number of emails and called them but no luck. Apparently, the number used for purchasing premium service is now saying they only take money for the service and they cannot do anything regarding the allocation of COS.

Our visas are expiring on Friday 20th Jan. We are now thinking to submit our visa application on Thursday without COS.

[flower2013]

Hi sabi,

Do ask your employer to send an urgent email to business help desk. We did that on thrusday last week and they have provided us with the CoS now. Ask your employer to say it is very urgent. They will definitely act on it

[gmng]

Hi sabi,

Do ask your employer to send an urgent email to business help desk. We did that on thrusday last week and they have provided us with the CoS now. Ask your employer to say it is very urgent. They will definitely act on it

When did your employer requested for COS allocation? Also is your a switch of employer extension or extension with the same employer?

[flower2013]

We requested for renewal on 02 December. This is an extension

[gmng]

We requested for renewal on 02 December. This is an extension

Could you please confirm the email address, is it this one Email: BusinessHelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

[flower2013]

Yes it's correct

[gmng]

Yes it's correct

And when is/was your visa getting expired?

[sabi27]

Hi sabi,

Do ask your employer to send an urgent email to business help desk. We did that on thrusday last week and they have provided us with the CoS now. Ask your employer to say it is very urgent. They will definitely act on it

Hi Flower,

Thank you for your response.

Believe me have sent a number of emails to Business Helpdesk. Calling them everyday to chase for this. But no luck so far. Would you advise any special keywords to use in subject line or in message?

We have learnt that once you have sent an email to Business Helpdesk, you should wait for 48 hours before sending another email regarding the same otherwise system bounces back the subsequent email stating wait for 48 hours before sending another email.

Any other suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Could you please also say how long it actually took for you to get the allocation and if it was via premium service?

Regards

[flower2013]

Hi Sabi,
Hope you get your CoS soon. We applied for ours on 02 December. Visa expiring on first week of February.
I believe no specific keyword was used.
My sponsor stated it is very urgent and my visa is expiring soon.
Wish you all the best.

[sabi27]

Hi Sabi,
Hope you get your CoS soon. We applied for ours on 02 December. Visa expiring on first week of February.
I believe no specific keyword was used.
My sponsor stated it is very urgent and my visa is expiring soon.
Wish you all the best.

Thank you, Flower.
We have applied for our visa today without CoS. Now just hoping allocation will come soon so we can send it over ASAP.

Good luck with your application. (Y).

[gmng]

Hi Everyone,

I need some direction please, any help would be really appreciated.
If UKBA wants further info on a COS what does that mean? Is it rejected? And what would be the repercussions on the visa, timelines etc.
My new employer just informed me that UKBA needs further info and lawyer needs to deal with it. Don't know what that means.

Kind regards.

[sabi27]

Hi Sabi,
Hope you get your CoS soon. We applied for ours on 02 December. Visa expiring on first week of February.
I believe no specific keyword was used.
My sponsor stated it is very urgent and my visa is expiring soon.
Wish you all the best.

Thank you, Flower.
We have applied for our visa today without CoS. Now just hoping allocation will come soon so we can send it over ASAP.

Good luck with your application. (Y).

Hi Guys,

So our CoS allocation was approved yesterday (20th Jan). It took 15 days via premium service.

As we had already applied for our visa without CoS, now my questions are when sending CoS to HO;

1. Should we send a copy of my submitted visa application as well?
2. Should I send my old (expired) passport as well which was used for my previous Tier 2 leave to remain?

I'll much appreciate your response as always.

Regards,

[gmng]

Hello,

May I ask, what all information do we put for UCOS allocation request (switch to a new employer) in the 'Give reasons' box. As in what would one provide as RLMT evidence? And what additional information should be put in the UCOS request. I understand SOC code, salary details should be provided but what information apart from the above should the sponsors/employers add which is sufficient for a UCOS allocation and avoid any delays because of refusal.

I am trying to make sure that my new employer has all that in place so that there is no refusal of UCOS allocation. Please can someone provide some inputs, its extremely urgent.

Appreciate all the help!

Thanks everyone!

[aziznurani]

Hi Sabi,
Hope you get your CoS soon. We applied for ours on 02 December. Visa expiring on first week of February.
I believe no specific keyword was used.
My sponsor stated it is very urgent and my visa is expiring soon.
Wish you all the best.

When we applied for unrestricted allocation in Nov'16 it took nearly 20 days to arrive, they wont give any update on phone as the premium service is fairly new and no one from their end seems to know more abt it, even email was not replied, when it was approved, there was no notification, all my HR found was under unused COS on SMS(where they manage applications etc)

[mul5387]

Got my CoS.

Applied on 9th Dec and recieved today (30th Jan). Contacted UKVI many times via emails and phone to expedite the process.

Posting dates for reference for others.

Thanks all,
mul5387