Skilled Worker Visa - Update Visa due to Change of Employer

[javeedkhan92]

Hello all,

I've been following immigration boards for the last couple of years, all your advice and suggestions are really helpful and valuable. 

I have a query regarding change of employer and its effect on the ILR. Hope I'm not posting it in the wrong group or other users have already posted similar topics. If yes, then please forgive me.

I started my tier 2 general visa on October 2018 and completed my first 3 years in October 2021 and my current employer extended my skilled worker visa for another 2 years. I received a generous offer from a new employer and he agreed to sponsor me. Since my new employer asked me to join ASAP, I gave my notice period on the 10th of June 2022 and my last day at work for my current employer would be 10th of July 2022. I'm currently on my annual vacation staying outside the UK and returning back to the UK on 3rd July. 

1. I'm planning to take a couple of weeks unpaid leave with my current employer. and when my new employer applies to update my visa, the outcome could take longer than 4 weeks (I read some guidance on ILR that we won't be able to take more than 4 weeks unpaid leave). The two weeks unpaid leave and the time taken for the update visa's outcome could be more than 4 weeks, I'm afraid that it would affect my ILR? 

2. Can my new employer get my new COS while I'm outside the UK?

3. Can my new employer apply for my update visa while I'm outside the UK? (my current employer will not withdraw my sponsorship until my last day)

4. When my new employer applies for my update visa in the first week of July (between 4th - 7th of july) the outcome could take longer, and by the time my current employer would have withdrawn my current visa. Will this gap (could be more than  4 weeks) create an issue for my ILR?

5. or will this gap create an issue for my visa itself?

6. In order to manage the time gap to get my update visa's decision and the current employer withdrawing my sponsorship before the update visa's outcome, should I consider using premium fast track service? Do they offer premium service for update visa process?

7. or should I request my current employer not to withdraw my sponsorship for an additional one more week after my notice period? 

I'm very confused and helpless at this moment, any advice would be highly appreciated.

Have a good day,
Javeed

[javeedkhan92]

can anyone please help me with my queries? Any help will be highly appreciated. Many thanks.