When to apply for Tier 2 general extension

[timbob]

Hi All,
Just wondering when people generally apply for extension of their Tier 2 General visa. I have roughly 5 months left on my current permit so I'll need to extend it soon. However the UKBA website doesn't say how many months you should have left on your current Tier 2 before submitting an extension application. It only says that '...you should apply as soon as possible and before you current leave expires'. Is there anyone who has extended recently? How many months did you have left? When can one submit an extension application? Three months before expiry? Four months? Six months?


Thanks

[s0787671]

I have just had my tier 2 visa extended.

Rule States:

you are eligible to apply 3months before the current visa expires. That is the earliest you can apply.

Latest you can apply is a month before your current Visa expires.

[kenneth22]

Hi was your extension based on the initial appropriate salary from your first application?

[manci]

I have just had my tier 2 visa extended.

Rule States:

you are eligible to apply 3months before the current visa expires. That is the earliest you can apply.

Latest you can apply is a month before your current Visa expires.

This is not correct.
You can apply any time up to the day preceding the expiry date of your current leave.

However, if you apply too early, the expiry date of the extension will also be correspondingly earlier.

[mdg]

However, if you apply too early, the expiry date of the extension will also be correspondingly earlier.

Is this correct? I thought that regardless of the date you submit your application (by post or in person), the 2-year extension would start from the date the original visa expires.

Can anyone confirm?

[jjrajesh]

Manci...thanks for the information. My Tier 2 is valid for another ten months but I will be eligible for ILR in 12 months on 10 year route.

I would like to know whether it is a good move to apply for tier 2 extension now rather than waiting for another 10 months.

I am working with the same employer in the same job category.

I am not sure if there is any recent change and would request someone to confirm this option.

Regards.

[jjrajesh]

I request someone to clarify whether I can extend my Tier 2 visa now though it is valid for another 10 months.

[onlooker]

Someone I know just extended three months before. He did lose a few months on the new visa length, but it's a 3-year, not 2-year one by default, thanks to the recent changes. Hence he will still have enough time of stay for the ILR.

[jjrajesh]

Thanks for your feedback. Sorry for the delay.

My Tier 2 Gen visa is valid for another 10 months but I want to go for extension now as I will be eligible for ILR in 12 months anyway.

Could you please confirm whether the visa will be extended for 2 or 3 years, since I got my Tier 2 prior to April 6, 2011 and the rule was 3+2 years.

Regards.

[manci]

Thanks for your feedback. Sorry for the delay.

My Tier 2 Gen visa is valid for another 10 months but I want to go for extension now as I will be eligible for ILR in 12 months anyway.

Could you please confirm whether the visa will be extended for 2 or 3 years, since I got my Tier 2 prior to April 6, 2011 it will be extended for 3 years or the work end date stated in the CoS whichever comes soonerand the rule was 3+2 years.

Regards.

[jjrajesh]

Manci...thanks for the confirmation. Could not reply earlier as I was on tour.

Regards.

[jjrajesh]

Hi Manci,

I am applying for Tier 2 extension using the Priority Postal Service. I am not able to apply online as only the paper form is available for Tier 2 Priority, where as prior to Oct 2013, the application had to done online. Am I missing something?

Thanks.

[manci]

the priority application is only by post, it cannot be made online:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... -priority/
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... iority.pdf

[jjrajesh]

Manci...thanks for the clarification. I need some more info.

1. Is there a requirement to send the 6 months payslips?
2. Should I attach a letter from my employer confirming my absences from UK?
3. Should I send the bank statement for proof of funds though it is Tier 2 Gen extension?
4. Can I make the payment by Bankers draft though this option is missing in Priority main applicant's application form?

My visa is valid until Aug 2014 but I am applying early now and the extension is with the same company and for the same job category.

Regards.

[manci]

1, 2, 3, 4 - no

[jjrajesh]

Manci...thanks for your time.

[psw2009]

Manci...thanks for the clarification. I need some more info.

1. Is there a requirement to send the 6 months payslips?
2. Should I attach a letter from my employer confirming my absences from UK?
3. Should I send the bank statement for proof of funds though it is Tier 2 Gen extension?
4. Can I make the payment by Bankers draft though this option is missing in Priority main applicant's application form?

My visa is valid until Aug 2014 but I am applying early now and the extension is with the same company and for the same job category.

Regards.

is it not too early to apply? as far as I know earliest you can apply is three months before your visa expiry date.... so you can apply in june-14 but confirm with Gurus.

[jjrajesh]

PSW2009, that is not true. You can apply to extend your Tier 2 anytime before the expiry of the visa and it has been confirmed by Manci in this same page.

[psw2009]

PSW2009, that is not true. You can apply to extend your Tier 2 anytime before the expiry of the visa and it has been confirmed by Manci in this same page.

please double check with manci i think u misunderstood see below from sponsor guidance

160. A CoS assigned by you under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 is valid for three months from the date it was assigned. During this three month period a migrant intending to come to the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5, or apply for worker authorisation (Croatian nationals only) cannot be assigned another CoS by any other sponsor. If the migrant does not use the CoS within this period to make an application, it automatically becomes invalid and will show as ‘expired’ on your SMS account. Please note that a migrant cannot apply for Tier 2 or Tier 5 leave more than three months in advance of the start date stated on their CoS

[jjrajesh]

psw2009...

160. A CoS assigned by you under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 is valid for three months from the date it was assigned. During this three month period a migrant intending to come to the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5, or apply for worker authorisation (Croatian nationals only) cannot be assigned another CoS by any other sponsor. If the migrant does not use the CoS within this period to make an application, it automatically becomes invalid and will show as ‘expired’ on your SMS account. Please note that a migrant cannot apply for Tier 2 or Tier 5 leave more than three months in advance of the start date stated on their CoS

You are mistaken...We cannot apply more than 3 months in advance of the start date mentioned in the COS. As an example, if the start date is stated as June 15 in the COS, then we cannot apply before March 15.

But there is no restriction for early extension which has already been discussed here and clarified by Manci.

[psw2009]

psw2009...

160. A CoS assigned by you under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 is valid for three months from the date it was assigned. During this three month period a migrant intending to come to the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5, or apply for worker authorisation (Croatian nationals only) cannot be assigned another CoS by any other sponsor. If the migrant does not use the CoS within this period to make an application, it automatically becomes invalid and will show as ‘expired’ on your SMS account. Please note that a migrant cannot apply for Tier 2 or Tier 5 leave more than three months in advance of the start date stated on their CoS

You are mistaken...We cannot apply more than 3 months in advance of the start date mentioned in the COS. As an example, if the start date is stated as June 15 in the COS, then we cannot apply before March 15.

But there is no restriction for early extension which has already been discussed here and clarified by Manci.

good luck please do share your experience about timeline for extension I am also going to apply for extension soon.

Thanks

[psw2009]

hi jjrajesh

What do you say about the below rule mentioned in sponsor guidance?

39.18 When you assign a CoS to extend a migrant’s leave in the same tier and category, the
start date on the CoS should be the day after their current leave expires.

Thanks

[manci]

When you assign a CoS to extend a migrant’s leave in the same tier and category, the
start date on the CoS should be the day after their current leave expires

This is a misquote:
541. We recommend that when you assign a CoS to extend a migrant’s leave, the start date you give on the CoS should be the day after their current leave expires.

[psw2009]

I see so it is only recommended not compulsory if i have understand correctly

thanks manci

[psw2009]

confuse..... I have think about it and does not make sense , how can employer put start date earlier than the end date of the cos issued for initial tier 2 visa???

Thanks