Unrestrictd COS Allocation increase & visa expiry

[niomi]

I have offered a Tier 4 a job at my company so we need to get them switched to a Tier 2. I've requested an increase in COS allocation on the Home Office sponsorship page (1 week ago) and their visa expires in less than a week.

I called up yesterday and was told they can't give us any advice on statuses of requests. What should my potential new employee do ? Will he be able to apply for the Tier 2 visa even after his current visa has expired?

Also, is he allowed to start working for my company even if he hasn't applied for the new visa yet and his current one expires?

I have heard that they can apply up to 28 days after the expiry date, but what if the allocation isn't even granted within those 28 days?

[CR001]

Will he be able to apply for the Tier 2 visa even after his current visa has expired?

No.

Also, is he allowed to start working for my company even if he hasn't applied for the new visa yet and his current one expires?

He cannot work if he has no visa and sponsorship.

I have heard that they can apply up to 28 days after the expiry date, but what if the allocation isn't even granted within those 28 days?

There is no '28 day grace period'. It is 14 days now and the person will have no section 3C protection.