Tier 2 3 years or more than 3 years

[nz6666]

Hi, I just got cos from my employer, in filling the application form for Tier 2, in the 'What is the length of your CoS?' The options are 3 years or less, and more than 3 years. Wondering what to choose? Is this determined by the CoS already or is something that I can choose and pay different fees? I am asking because I see here (https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/overview), fees are different for 3 years or less and more than 3 years. BTW, Of course I want to choose more than 3 years. Thanks.

[CR001]

What is the validity or end date of your CoS?

[paradoxical]

The length is already decided by your CoS..Find the expiry date of your COS, and that should tell you if you need to apply for more than 3 years or less than 3.

[nz6666]

Never mind, my employer told me they applied a 3 year for me. God I wish I had told them to get a 3 year or more (I thought it's 5 years). They explained to me they thought it would be harder to get a 3 year or more.

Btw, there is only Expire date (use by) December 2016.

[paradoxical]

So there is an expiry date of the COS itself (3 months from issue date), and this is the date by which you should use the COS and apply for visa. This would be given under "Certificate of sponsorship status". In addition to that, there is a section called "Work Dates" and in there, you should have a Start Date and an End date, and these refer to the start and end date of your job. And it was this "End date" here which would determine whether you needed the 3 years or the more than 3 years route.
Best Wishes,

[nz6666]

@paradoxical thanks