Tier 2 (Gen) extension

[Adeel18]

Hi Manci,
I have a doubt about extending my tier 2 visa.
My 3 yrs tier 2 visa expires in November 2016 and I'm eligible to extend it for another 3yrs. That will make a total of 6yrs but I will be eligible to apply for ILR in November 2018 as I will complete my 5 yrs under tier2.
However, I read the requirements again and again for extending my tier 2 visa. It says that I can only extend as long as my total stay is not more than 6 years. Does that total stay includes my previous stay under other categories before I was granted tier2? To be precise, I switched from psw to tier2.

Extract from immigration website:
How long you can stay
You can apply to extend your visa for up to another 5 years, as long as your total stay is not more than 6 years.

Please help me out to understand the above.

Thanks

[CR001]

6 years applies to Tier 2 General only.

[justdopposite]

Hi CR001

I've been issued a 5yr COS for my extension, but I can only apply for the remaining 3 years (as total 6yrs in Tier2 General) . Can I still apply for the remaining 3yrs extension and pay IHS for 3yrs only ? Please help.