Newly-issued Tier 2 (General) to expire in 7 months?

[inara]

My employer applied to be a sponsor in April 2012 and was approved in August. I was issued a CoS soon after and last week was granted a Tier 2 (General) visa. I received my Biometric Residence Permit in the mail over the weekend and the Expiry stated was 13 April 2013. I understand that the visa should be valid for 3 years or the duration of the sponsorship licence, whichever is sooner, and was very skeptical that the just-approved Sponsorship licence is only valid 8 months or so. I contacted HR at work and was told the Sponsorship licence needs to be renewed every year. I believe she was talking about the requesting of the annual allocation of CoS, but failed to get this point across to her. Do you think this could be a mistake on the Border Agency's part or is it possible the Sponsorship Licence is only valid for one year from application? Thank you so much for your help.

[manci]

I understand that the visa should be valid for 3 years or the duration of the sponsorship licence, whichever is sooner.

no - it is 3 years or the period given in the CoS, whichever the shorter.

Check what work end date was given in the CoS.

[inara]

I understand that the visa should be valid for 3 years or the duration of the sponsorship licence, whichever is sooner.

no - it is 3 years or the period given in the CoS, whichever the shorter.

Check what work end date was given in the CoS.

I'm sorry if I've misunderstood but would the work end date in the CoS be the expiry of the CoS allocation for that year? If so is it possible to apply for a 3-year allocation? Paying to apply/renew a visa every 7 months seems quite ridiculous.

[Greenie]

Yes you have misunderstood. Its not the expiry of the cos allocation but the expiry of the job on the cos. I.e. when is the job expected to finish.

[inara]

Thank you Greenie and manci. You are right, I've just checked the CoS and we've made a mistake with the end work date. [/quote]