Undefined COS Delay - PBS visa extension

[Poornisharma]

Hi Members,

My 3 years PBS visa is due to expire on 13th March 2024. My company has run out of undefined COS for the year & they have requested for additional COS just recently. I understand it will take 18 weeks. They have also started to apply using Priority service daily but I have been reading people are not getting priority slots also for undefined COS.
Now the only option I see is my company apply for a defined COS (which should come in 2-3 weeks). I then travel to India & apply for PBS visa on priority & come back. Couple of questions if someone can help -

1 - Will it impact ILR application after 2 years ? Is it breaking 5 years continuous stay?
2 - What if I travel to India but I am unable to come back before 13th March 2024 . If there is gap of few days/week then will it break continuous stay and restart clock for ILR?
3- Can I apply for 2 year PBS visa from India as I need 2 years to complete 5 years?
4 - Is there any other way I can get around this situation.

I will really appreciate guidance from members here..

[Poornisharma]

Dear Members,

Can someone help me with the above queries .

[Poornisharma]

Hi Members ,

My organisation has applied for additional COS allocation on 20th December but still no response from Home Office.
They have been trying priority service for last 2 weeks now but again no luck there.
PBS is due to expire on 13 March . Can members advise what are my options please

[Rashi1990]

We are in the same boat. Mine will expire on 14 March. We havent yet got the undefined COS. Daily our solicitor is trying at 9 in priority.

[Zekayy88]

I am in the same boat, visa expires on 15 march. Company is trying for undefined cos from 16 Dec and still no luck with priority service or the usual 18 weeks. I have discussed the option of defined cos with a solicitor and he advised not to go with this one as it will affect ILR. I’ve completed my 3 years on skilled worker visa as Data Analyst.

[Rashi1990]

Thought I will come n update that my solicitor is able to get the email of acceptance via priority service and its been paid now.we are asked to wait for a week for Cos allocation.all the best for others.

[Poornisharma]

HI Rashi, Great news for you !!
Can you kindly ask your solicitor exactly at what time he had sent mail for priority .
Allocation is usually available to use same day

[Rashi1990]

Not sure about the same day allocation.
Exactly at 9 it is applied by their team member.
Also last week when I spoke along with HR the solicitor was confident that it will be allocated. They havent seen a case where for visa extension the undefined CoS was delayed and someone had to go back. Its not a new licence but an expired one where they are renewing in my case. Just ask yours to mark the email as urgent or priority.

[Sam1719]

Hi Rashi, congratulations on the progress, hope you get your allocation soon! I'm in a similar situation, as my HR has been sending emails at 9 AM for weeks now (for priority service), however I assume it takes atleast a minute for the email (with attachment) to fully go out of the outbox, hence, a delay of 1 minute. Could you ask your solicitor/HR, if they sent that email a minute before 9 AM to make it go out at exactly 9 AM? It's risky as it might be considered sent before their operational hour begins. Could you share any other advice as to how to get 1 in the 60 slots for priority service?? Thanks in advance

[zekayy888]

Hi Rashi, Congratulations you are lucky as we are trying from December and still nothing.

Please ask your solicitor if he can help us too. Thanks in advance

[zekayy888]

Hi Sam

We tried almost 08:58, 08:59, 09:01, 09:02 and still same auto response.

According to our HR, they tried one in November last year at 09:00 and received allocation on next day.

When is your renewal? Mine is 15 March

[zekayy888]

Hi Poorni,


Did you gt any answers on using the defined cos solution? I have the same issue

[Sam1719]

Thank you, Zekayy, for clarifying this.

I am on a Graduate Visa (PSW) and we're trying to beat the deadline before the salary threshold rises as my current organisation can't raise the salary up to £38700 for my role. My visa is valid till December though. Very stressful.

[zekayy888]

Hi Sam,


Don’t worry you still have plenty of time. Why don’t you ask your employer to try new entrant salary threshold as the new immigration rules won’t apply to this.

[Sam1719]

Thank you, Zekayy, however, I don't fit in the New Entrant criteria. I just hope I manage to get a priority slot!

[Sul1998]

Hi Sam, i am also on the post graduate visa, can you tell me the reason why you said you don't qualify for the new entrant visa?

[Sul1998]

Hi Sam,


Don’t worry you still have plenty of time. Why don’t you ask your employer to try new entrant salary threshold as the new immigration rules won’t apply to this.

Hi, this new entrant, what do i need to do to apply based on this? is it still the same Skilled worker Cos or a different one?

[Sam1719]

Hi Sam, i am also on the post graduate visa, can you tell me the reason why you said you don't qualify for the new entrant visa?

I think there is no definite information on the official website around applicants on Graduate Visa being eligible for New Entrant visa. Additionally, I don't fit in the age bracket either, but I'm not sure if it's a mandatory criteria. Could you tell me if you have any more information onthis?

[Jnk]

I am in the same boat, visa expires on 15 march. Company is trying for undefined cos from 16 Dec and still no luck with priority service or the usual 18 weeks. I have discussed the option of defined cos with a solicitor and he advised not to go with this one as it will affect ILR. I’ve completed my 3 years on skilled worker visa as Data Analyst.

Any update? What did you do after 15 march?