Can I apply for Tier 1 Gen. ext. 1.5 years before expiry?

[azorpheunt]

Hello,

My Questions

• 1. Is there any rule preventing me from getting an extension now itself ? I realize that the date of extension will be from the date of application and I'll end up loosing 1.5 years on my Visa.
  
  2. Would you recommend that I get the extension now itself, or delay as long as possible ? I was hoping to get it done in Nov 2015. Would you advice to get it done sooner (thus loosing 1.5 years almost in my visa) or as late as possible?
  
  3. Now that I have only one attempt at ILR, what rules do I need to be specially careful about besides avoiding court based driving fines ? I am also aware of the new KOLL requirements which require one to give an English Test besides the life-in-uk test.

Changes in Tier 1
Recently the Tier 1 General rules were changed so that Tier 1 General Extensions will be closing from April 6, 2015.
(See a previous thread about this : "http://www.immigrationboards.com/uk-tie ... 60391.html")

From UKBA ( From: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... march-2014):

7.5 The Tier 1 (General) category, in which applicants scored points for their qualifications, previous earnings, age and UK experience, was closed to new applicants in April 2011 but remains open for extension and settlement applications. The following changes are being made to this category:

Changes are being made to signal the Government‟s intention to close the category for extension applications on 6 April 2015, and for settlement applications on 6 April 2018. This should give enough time for applicants who entered the category before its closure to apply for settlement if they can meet the requirements to qualify;

My Timeline

First Visa (2 years): Jan-2011 to Jan-2013
First Extension is done (3 years): extended visa till Jan-2016
Not yet done, Second Extension, planned to do it in Dec 2015 ( would have extended visa till Jan-2019)
After first getting Visa, I came to UK in November 2011, so will be eligible for ILR in November 2016.

Jan 2011 (First Visa, 2 years)
|
|
|
|---------------- (Nov 2011, First came to UK)
Jan 2012
|
|
|
|---------------- (Dec 2012, got first Extension till Jan 2016)
Jan 2013
|
|
|
|
Jan 2014
|
|
|
|
Jan 2015
|
|---------------- (Apr. 2015, Extension closes)
|
|
Jan 2016
|
|
|
|---------------- (Nov. 2016, Eligible for ILR.)
Jan 2017

[WRS]

1. Yes, you may apply for extension as and when you like providing you are meeting the requirements

2. It is better that you apply now as you will get a further 3 years extension from the date the application will be approved. If you apply before April 6,2014, you may as well save some quids as the fee is increasing from the said date

[azorpheunt]

Thank You.

[rahul656]

Thank You.

Hello,


Please do let us know when you apply for extension and the outcome of your application.

I am also in the same boat and may have to apply extn before april 2015 and it will be 9 months before tier 1 gets expired.

[azorpheunt]

Sure. I have now decided to go for an extension around this year end.

[Go12]

Hello mate,
I will be applying for extension at year end too
Somewhere just hoping that extensions are not closed
In April 2015.