Employer about to submit sponsorship app. A few questions?

[Shamino]

Heya all

My employer is finally about to submit their sponsorship application

He asked a few questions which I explained to him, but thought we'll get some confirmation from the immigration boards.

So I am from Australia and currently on a Tier 5 visa, with an expiry date on the 6th August, which I will leave the UK.

1. Once my employer is successful with obtaining a COS, he is led to believe that I can apply for the Tier 2 visa in another country. I have explained to him that this has to be in your home country. Am I wrong?

2. The employer hotline has suggested that they could submit a letter to escalate the process within 2 weeks of the expiry of my visa. I have talked to the employer hotline and they mentioned that we need to include a cover letter with a pretty good reason to escalate my application. I have mentioned that this isn't guaranteed either and that we're probably looking at 12 to 16 weeks for them to get approval of their employer sponsorship licence. Is what I mentioned a fair assessment of the current processing times?


Looking forward to hearing from you

Cheers

[breakingwaves]

Hello fellow Aussie

1. Yes, you have to apply from your home country.
2. I wouldn't rely on them expediting the application, there is a premium service you can pay for so unless your good reason, and the 'good' reason perhaps be things like working for the olympics, or if the company can show it would be negatively impacted by your absence. 12–16 weeks is right in my own personal experience, although maybe it's a bit better now. Fyi we applied for a new sponsor license February 22, and it was only approved June 22.

Hope that helped, and good luck!

[Shamino]

Heya Breakingwaves

thanks for the infor

Are you back in London yet or are you currently waiting in Australia to get your Tier 2 visa?

I actually don't mind the waiting period, I supposed it'll give me some travel time before I head home to Oz to be with the family for Christmas and be back in London by next year

Thanks for the infor update