Incorrect Starting date on CoS

[iahsan]

I am currently working at my current job on a PSW visa expiring August 2014. They had Tier-2 allocations and thought I should transfer to it as well and allotted me a CoS on June 6, 2013, stating that my Job start date is June 16, 2013 (they just put a date randomly as there was no start date being on the same job), then I had to travel immediately afterwards for work purposes and the June 16, 2013 date passed. The CoS says it expires on September 5, 2013, now I have 2 questions:

1. I am working on the same job, with the same company on the same contract so what does "Job Start Date" mean or should be in my context?

2. Now that the date on CoS has passed, what should I do? Get a letter from company attach it with the application or ask for a re-issuance of CoS?

2(a). Does re-issuance cost anything? (This part is just to know how much burden I am putting on the company.)

[The Station Agent]

The "expiry" date on all CoS is hard-wired to 3 months and one day past the issuance date. All CoS have to be activated within that date. Make your application by this date. If they re-issued a new CoS it would cost.

[iahsan]

Thanks a lot "The Station Agent",

I understand the expiry date, I am more concerned about the job start date on CoS that has passed but as I explained above in my case there is no job start date I am on the same job just changing visa category.

So what should I do about that job start date on CoS that has passed.

[manci]

Thanks a lot "The Station Agent",

I understand the expiry date, I am more concerned about the job start date on CoS that has passed but as I explained above in my case there is no job start date I am on the same job just changing visa category. The job start date in the CoS is your start date as a T2G migrant. It doesn't matter if you did not start your T2G job on the start date stated in the CoS provided this was agreed with your sponsor.

So what should I do about that job start date on CoS that has passed. Nothing, just make sure that you apply before your current PSW leave expires on 14 August

[iahsan]

Thanks Manci

May I clarify that what you are suggesting is that although the job start date on my CoS has passed but the CoS itself is still valid till 05/09/2013, I can apply on this CoS before it expires?

My PSW expires 25/08/2014 so I don't think its relevant here.

The job start date in the CoS is your start date as a T2G migrant. It doesn't matter if you did not start your T2G job on the start date stated in the CoS provided this was agreed with your sponsor.

Nothing, just make sure that you apply before your current PSW leave expires on 14 August

[manci]

May I clarify that what you are suggesting is that although the job start date on my CoS has passed but the CoS itself is still valid till 05/09/2013, I can apply on this CoS before it expires? yes, but why not apply now?

My PSW expires 25/08/2014 so I don't think its relevant here. correct, I overlooked the year

[iahsan]

yes, but why not apply now?

Well, I had some doubts about maintenance funds as well, precisely, I didn't have the right amounts in my account, but my CoS said my sponsor will cover for my funds BUT I have 2 dependents as well, so I called up UKBA on Friday, as many forums suggested that an informal letter from the employer saying they would also cover for dependents would do the job, I tried to be very clear in my question and the response from the UKBA rep on phone was "Yes, that should be ok".

I also asked about the issue being discussed in this thread and he suggested that the employer can add "Note" to the CoS through the SMS (Sponsorship Management System) to reflect change of start date.

So I will pass this on to the employer to add the change to CoS.

But tbh I still don't understand what does that date mean, when my job is being continued, I would understand if the visa change demanded resigning or renewal of the job contract, then there would be a new start date but in the current scenario I can't make any sense of what that field means.