Tier 2 Visa

[ssr_143]

Dear Team,

I'm a Tier2 - General Visa holder from August 2012 to 2015. I've a new job & the employer is willign to sponsor my Visa. Could you please clarify my below questions is possible?

1. As per rule, I can extend my visa only once in Tier2 General. So if I change now, will my new visa be restricted to 3 years (2014 to 2017 April) & I've to leave the country by April? Cos by June I will be only 4+years & not eligible for ILR?

2. Is this new employer visa considered as extension or new visa? so that I can extend in 2017 April for another 3 years without impacting my ILR?

3. Finally as per new rule, will my new visa will be granted to 3 or 5 years?

Thanks for all your help & Support.

Regards,
Sudhakar S

[iworker]

1. no such rule. u can extend the visa as many time as u want (provided each time u have a valid new COS)
2. this is in country visa application. Not new, nor extension
3. depends on how long the cos is issued for. (if the cos is issued for more than 3 years, u will have to pay higher fee).

[ssr_143]

Hi,
Thanks for your valuable comments. Below is what I got from UKBA Portal which says I cant stay more than 6 years in Tier2... But if i have a initial visa for 3 years and then extend for 5 years, can't I still stay for 8 years? do i need to get ILR?

How long you can stay
You can extend your stay in the UK with a Tier 2 (General) visa for up to another 5 years.


You can’t stay in the UK under a Tier 2 (General) visa for more than a total of 6 years.

Thanks,
SS

[hassanh]

Hi SS,

Even if you apply for 5 Years visa now, HO will make sure your total stay in Tier 2 not go beyond 6 years. They will put expiry date on your visa accordingly. However, you may be eligible for ILR after 5 years. I hope this will help.

Thanks,
Hassan