Tier 2 General Visa COS start date and Dependant questions

[nalfuraht]

Hi Everyone!
I am a NZ national being sponsored by my company in the UK. I will be returning to NZ to apply for the visa in December 2016/January 2017
I am currently in the UK working on a tier 5 visa which expires in April. I am here with my partner who is also on a Tier 5 visa which expires early January.
I have a few questions. Any responses would be very appreciated!

(1) My company has just applied for my COS with the start date being 1st Jan ( because they put January on the Job Ad for Labour market test). However I have booked tickets to NZ arriving Jan 1st – so will need to go into the immigration office for biometrics around Jan 6th meaning that I will be applying for the Visa after the start date on the COS – will this be a problem?

(2) My partner will be applying as a dependant on my visa. We are not married but have been together for 6 years. We travelled to the UK together and have joint tenancy agreements for 1.5 years. Can anyone recommend what types of evidence we will need to provide to prove unmarried relationship? If anyone has experience in this please let me know what you did!

(3) When applying online for a dependant. Is there a way to add the ‘dependant’ application onto the main tier 2 holder or do you have to start a whole new application?

(4) Can anyone who has paid for the priority service for out of country application (especially from New Zealand) give any advice on the process, how long it took you and any problems you had?

[iworker]

1 no problem
2 let others to reply.
3. seperate application
4. let others to reply.

U do know that your partner, can apply within the uk.. wouldnt that be best if u can give those co-hab evidence in the uk ? just a thought.

[nalfuraht]

My partners Visa expires in January so he will be in New Zealand when I apply also, which is why we are applying together.
Thank you for your answers!
Anyone else able to answer also?

[nalfuraht]

I am currently on a tier 5 YMS and will be travelling back to my home country (New Zealand) in January to apply for my tier 2 visa
I have worked for my company since june 2016, and after my probation they agreed to sponsor me. They could have used the job ad that they put up when I was employed as a RLMT but they didn’t do it exactly as in the guidance so they decided to do it again.
I have received my COS.
I am just wanting to know, I have heard that It is hard to go from a tier 5 to a tier 2? What kind of evidence/ letter can I provide with my application to help my case? My job is quite specialised which is why I got it in the first place ( 4 months before applying for COS) – is it possible that the home office will reject me based on pre selection? ( HR and my manager did go over any applications and deemed them unfit for the role)
Any advice on how to get around this would be great! Just worried they will reject my application as I am already working for the company (even though not for long)

[CR001]

Is your job on the shortage occupation list if it is so specialised?

[noajthan]

Posts merged.

[nalfuraht]

No it is not - which is why a RLMT was required.
I mean specialised as It requires a BSc and several years of experience.

[noajthan]

No it is not - which is why a RLMT was required.
I mean specialised as It requires a BSc and several years of experience.

That's quite normal for Tier 2.

Expect scrutiny from UKVI as T5 to T2 is open to misuse/abuse.
if RLMT was firm but fair all may be well. Bit surprising noone else in UK and EU could do the job though.

[nalfuraht]

Hi Noajthan
Thanks for your reply.
Im a bit confused because how will the Home office know that the RLMT was fair if they havent asked for further evidence? Should i be providing this in my application.
I was thinking getting a letter from my work explaining how i was employed and confirming there was no-one else who applied who was suitable.?

Also - im sure someone in the UK/EU COULD do my job however luckily for me none of these people applied for it.

[noajthan]

Hi Noajthan
Thanks for your reply.
Im a bit confused because how will the Home office know that the RLMT was fair if they havent asked for further evidence? Should i be providing this in my application.
I was thinking getting a letter from my work explaining how i was employed and confirming there was no-one else who applied who was suitable.?

Also - im sure someone in the UK/EU COULD do my job however luckily for me none of these people applied for it.

Your employer should be doing the heavy-lifting here - you are just the worker.
UKVI will be in touch with employer.

[nalfuraht]

Thank you for your help
I agree however sometimes HR are not always the most reliable

[noajthan]

Thank you for your help
I agree however sometimes HR are not always the most reliable

You need HR to be on top of their game.