Is Tier 2 extension valid for 2 or 3 years?

[IM314]

Some confusion here:
When I got my first Tier 2 (General) employer-sponsored visa in 2009, I was told that I would be able to extend it for 2 years when it expires. However, my employer says that the extension will be for 3 years, although I cannot find any information about this on the UKBA website.
One other user of this forum was also surprised to get 3 years:

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... &start=141

Can anyone confirm what the actual extension is, preferably with a link to official UKBA communication? My current 3-year visa expires on 13 September 2012 and it would give me great peace of mind to know that a 3-year extension will place me firmly in the 5-year time period to apply for ILR.

[IM314]

Question has been answered, and if your initial visa was granted before 6 April 2011, then the extension is valid for 3 years. Detail in second row of the table under paragraph 182 in the Tier 2 Guidance document: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... idance.pdf