Upgrading to Priority service by withdrawing application

[tascott]

My friend submitted her skilled worker (heath care worker) extension application (same employer) on the 30th October. She has since realised that there are delays to processing applications andhas travel booked for the xmas holidays.

As one can't upgrade a prexisting application to priority, I think the best option for her would be to withdraw her current application and submit a new one and pay for the priority service.

However, I would appreciate some clarification on the following:

1. Her current visa is valid until 17 Nov. As long as she submits a new application before then, is she not at risk of being an overstayer?
2. If she withdraws, can she reuse the same CoS (it is valid to Jan, but I'm not sure if one can use it twice?)
3. Will she get any money back from the first visa application?

Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

[lolo2]

Any other thoughts/advice welcome!

Just to comment that these delays are happening at any level, so paying for a priority service is not a guarantee she will receive a response in the given timescale.

There are a number of cases here from members who paid priority and still having delays of weeks or even months.

The situation at the HO with immigration applications is on the news literally every day.

[tascott]

Yes I am feeling silly for not checking if that were delays right now. Particularly as I have experienced them myself in the past for tier 2 and ILR. I just thought the pandemic was over and everything was back to normal.

If anyone has any experience on this I know my friend would really appreciate it. Particularly regarding whether the a new CoS is needed, as that will define whether my friend goes through with this.

[tascott]

Yes I am feeling silly for not checking if that were delays right now. Particularly as I have experienced them myself in the past for tier 2 and ILR. I just thought the pandemic was over and everything was back to normal.

If anyone has any experience on this I know my friend would really appreciate it. Particularly regarding whether the a new CoS is needed, as that will define whether my friend goes through with this.