When can employer request for additional COS?

[john353]

I am due for Tier 2 extension early 2014, with same employer and job. Have been on Tier 2 visa from the start (2009) with same employer and have previously applied for extension visas.

Question: I understand COS can be only be issued 3 months before expiry date of visa. But when is the earliest the employer can request an additional COS for me, if the employer doesn't have a spare COS at the time of my extension?

I want to be prepared for the worst, so please let me know.
Cheers

[manci]

Sponsors are given unrestricted CoS allocations for one year, April to April, and they can request an increase in their allocation any time.

Once a CoS is assigned it has to be "used" within 3 months, i.e. you have to apply for the extension within 3 months.

However, you don't have to wait with the extension application until 3 months before the expiry of your leave, you can in fact apply any time while your visa is valid but, if you do, keep in mind that the period of the extension will start and end earlier.

[john353]

Thanks manci. Can you also clarify the following

Sponsors are given unrestricted CoS allocations for one year, April to April, and they can request an increase in their allocation any time.

Any ideas for the current waiting times for an increase in allocation for a A rated sponsor?

However, you don't have to wait with the extension application until 3 months before the expiry of your leave, you can in fact apply any time while your visa is valid but, if you do, keep in mind that the period of the extension will start and end earlier.

Is this a new rule, because for my previous extensions, COS could be assigned only 3 months before the start date of job, i.e. expiry date of current visa.

[manci]

Thanks manci. Can you also clarify the following

Sponsors are given unrestricted CoS allocations for one year, April to April, and they can request an increase in their allocation any time.

Any ideas for the current waiting times for an increase in allocation for a A rated sponsor? call the UKBA employer helpline to ask current processing times 0300 123 4699

However, you don't have to wait with the extension application until 3 months before the expiry of your leave, you can in fact apply any time while your visa is valid but, if you do, keep in mind that the period of the extension will start and end earlier.

Is this a new rule, because for my previous extensions, COS could be assigned only 3 months before the start date of job, which is still the case but the work start date in the new CoS can be earlier than the expiry date of your current visa i.e. expiry date of current visa.