HELP:Tier2 VisaExtension - minimum passport validity period?

[visva_cool]

Hi all,

This forum was quite useful to me in the past. Thanks for keeping it going.

I have a couple of questions regarding my tricky situation. Any help is much appreciated.


Plan A:
i) To obtain a tier 2 general visa extension is there any minimum passport validity period?


-> My Indian passport is expiring on 26 Jun 2013
-> My tier 2 visa expiring on 14 Apr 2013


Hope there is no requirement of minimum 6 months validity on passport...

Will I be given a visa with passport expiring in just 2 months time?
Although, I know that visa is given beyond passport validity - from this page: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... -passport/

ii) I should get a renewal of COS from employer for next 3 yrs. I am due for ILR in late Oct 2013. So, how long would they issue me visa for?



Plan B:

i) I can renew my passport before going for visa. What exactly does a minor error in residence permit correspond to? And how long is a short validity passport given for

Following is an extract from FAQ section of: http://hcilondon.in/passport.php

Q) Should the name in Visa document/sticker or Residence Permit match with that in the Passport?

A) Yes. Otherwise a short validity Passport would be issued in cases where there are minor differences in the name on the Passport and name on Visa/Residence Permit. Validity of this Passport will be extended to normal validity only after the applicant furnishes correct documents.[/b]

-> BRP: First Name is missing, but two of my middle names and surname are there. The BRP letter had my full name.

-> I did email to BRP errors at that time and received the default email asking me to post my passport and BRP card, etc. I protested to it coz that beats the point of PEO appointment. I said, "I can't post my passport for a possible error and why do you need passport this time around when your own letter states my full name (my previous BRP had my full name - so not a case of character limitation)". I was then advised after consultation with a senior member that I do not need to worry about missing first name as they took my case notes in the database. I can confirm that, as I just returned from a trip to India without any problem at the airport.

-> However, this might now pose a problem with passport re-issue. I can still produce the original Card delivery letter from BRP with my full name in it and the correspondence with BRPerror team to prove my full name although my card lacks my first name in it.



I'll go for visa first, if visa can be issued longer even with passport expiring in 2 months!

Please let me know if you have answers to any of my questions. TIA.[/b]

[visva_cool]

I have called UKBA twice to check this and both the times they said a visa can be given as long as the passport is valid at the time of visa extension (no minimum validity period - 6months, etc). However, they are unable to point out any point number. Apparently, it's in the guidance of case workers.

Can anyone confirm that there is no minimum passport validity period please?

This sounds reliable, but in my experience the answers given by UKBA enquiries proved to be useless at times.

[thatzmanoj]

Hi Visva,

Your query was really helpful..as im in a same situation as yours
my current visa (tier 2 - 2 years & 9 months) expires in 3 months & passport expires in 6 months
Did you get a Visa then...if so for how many years...
can we get an extension for another 3 years after a tier 2 visa of duration (2 years & 9 months)
as it would be helpful for ILR..

your reply will be highly appreciated...

thanks a lot in advance
Manoj