How early can I apply for a new tier 2(new employer)?

[Kathie]

Hi,

I will really appreciate if you could help.

I am on a Tier 2 visa at the moment. My contract ends on the 31st Oct with possibility of renewal. A 3 months notice is required . Current visa expires on the 14th November.

The new job with a new employer will start on the 6th November. Before handing in my notice to my current employer, I would like to make sure the new visa is approved first.

Can I make an application for the new visa as early as now( 3-4 months in advance?) Also if the new visa gets approved (with the new certificate of sponsorship stating the 6th Nov as the starting date), what date will it be valid from?I understand that once the new visa gets issued, the home office will take the old one away. So will I still be able to honour the 3 months notice period or even work till the end of my contract( 31st October) with the old employer?

Furthermore, the new job is the same as my current one but with another employer. However if the new employer is from the same franchise as the old employer. Is the new application considered as a new application, an extension or a transfer?

Thanks

[Kathie]

Hi,

I would really appreciate if you could help.

I am on a Tier 2 visa at the moment. My contract ends on the 31st October with possibility of renewal.A 3 months notice is required. Current visa expires on the 14th Nov.

The new job with a new employer will start on the 6th October. Before handing in my notice to my current employer, I would like to make sure the new visa gets approved.

Can I make an application for the new visa as early as now( 3-4 months in advance?) Also if the new visa is approved (with the new certificate of sponsorship stating the 6th Nov as the start date), what date will it be valid from? I understand that once the new visa is issued, the home office will take the old one away. So will I still be able to honour the 3 months notice period or even finish my contract (ends on 31st Oct)with the old employer?

Furthermore, the new job is the same as my current one but with another employer.If the new employer is from the same franchise as the old employer, is new application considered as a new application, an extension or a transfer?

Thanks.