Tier 2 general extension application

[mjm9691]

My wife (main applicant), me and 2 children as dependents will have to apply for further extension of visa in the same Tier 2 general category with same employer before august 2013. Can you please confirm whether my wife has to again show maintenance funds for 3 months kept in a bank i.e 900 +600x3 (dependents). We were issued a 3 year UK visa in Aug 2010 and arrived in UK in Sept 2010 while going through the COS/funds maintenance and English requirements obtaining 70 points needed at that time. Her current employer will issue a COS in May 2013. Also will we get an extension for 3 years or 2 years further, as rules at that time were 3 years +2 years taking us to 5 years when we can then apply for ILR.

[manci]

Your wife will not have to show maintenance when she applies for an extension of her T2G leave. She will be awarded 10 points if she has T2 leave at the time of application. See para 148 of the T2 policy guidance.

The grant of her leave will be 3 years or the end of her engagement whichever comes sooner. See para 186 of the T2 policy guidance.

[mjm9691]

Thanks Manci, sorry for the late reply. We presume now that,
1. We don't have to show maintenance funds held in bank at the time of application.
2. We will get a 3 year extension rather than 2 years as was the ruling before April, 2011.
3. We can apply for ILR after 2 years although our extension given will be 3 years.
4. We ask the sponsor to write 3 years extension on the COS, when they will issue in May 2013, for us to apply before August 2013.