Extension valid dates

[IM314]

I am currently nearing the end of my first 3 years under a Tier 2 General Sponsored visa. (Expires 13 September 2012).

I now want to apply for my 2-year extension, but want to make sure it's valid for long enough to be able to apply for ILR at the end, which needs to be all 5 years.

When I phoned the UKBA help line, they told me that the extension will NOT be dated from the end of the first visa's expiry+2 years, but from the date of approval. So, if I apply too early (say tomorrow), then the new visa will be valid from whenever they approve it, which could be as little as 2 or 3 weeks after that.

Theoretically, this could lead to the following situation:
1st visa valid 14 September 2009 - 13 September 2012
2nd visa valid 14 August 2012 - 13 August 2014

By the end of the expiry of the second visa, I wouldn't have been in the UK for 5 years and therefore not able to apply for ILR.

Is this true, as it seems really absurd? Surely, if the old visa expires on 13 September and I apply for an extension now, the new one must be valid from 14 September for 2 years? Can anyone confirm how these dates worked for them?

[david1955]

I am currently nearing the end of my first 3 years under a Tier 2 General Sponsored visa. (Expires 13 September 2012).

I now want to apply for my 2-year extension, but want to make sure it's valid for long enough to be able to apply for ILR at the end, which needs to be all 5 years.

When I phoned the UKBA help line, they told me that the extension will NOT be dated from the end of the first visa's expiry+2 years, but from the date of approval. So, if I apply too early (say tomorrow), then the new visa will be valid from whenever they approve it, which could be as little as 2 or 3 weeks after that.

Theoretically, this could lead to the following situation:
1st visa valid 14 September 2009 - 13 September 2012
2nd visa valid 14 August 2012 - 13 August 2014

By the end of the expiry of the second visa, I wouldn't have been in the UK for 5 years and therefore not able to apply for ILR.

Is this true, as it seems really absurd? Surely, if the old visa expires on 13 September and I apply for an extension now, the new one must be valid from 14 September for 2 years? Can anyone confirm how these dates worked for them?

read this

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=108592

[IM314]

read this

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=108592

Thank you very much! There is a note in that thread that says all extensions granted after April 2012 will be for 3 years, which also answers another question I just posted, but I still can't seem to find any official UKBA communication to that effect. Granted, I'm going cross-eyed from struggling through their labyrinthine website and legalese language so I may just be missing it. Any such reference will really, really make my week so much better.

[david1955]

read this

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=108592

Thank you very much! There is a note in that thread that says all extensions granted after April 2012 will be for 3 years, which also answers another question I just posted, but I still can't seem to find any official UKBA communication to that effect. Granted, I'm going cross-eyed from struggling through their labyrinthine website and legalese language so I may just be missing it. Any such reference will really, really make my week so much better.

Read the tier 2 guidance ,
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... idance.pdf
page 42

[IM314]

Found it! Thank you very much.

Just for everyone else: If your initial visa was granted before 6 April 2011, the extension is valid for 3 years. Technically, for 3 years + 14 days from the valid date of your new CoS, but 3 years still.

[janice01]

You could consult the UK immigration center to give the steps on how o extent your visa.

[dimmer668]

I'm going cross-eyed from struggling through their labyrinthine website

[palaremzi]

Found it! Thank you very much.

Just for everyone else: If your initial visa was granted before 6 April 2011, the extension is valid for 3 years. Technically, for 3 years + 14 days from the valid date of your new CoS, but 3 years still.

note that the extension is
i. 3 years plus 14 days; or
ii. to the end date given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days whichever is the shorter period.

So, if your COS has less than 3 yrs, then it'll be that.