Traveling to UK During Sponsorship / Visa Process

[daisiewishes]

Hello Everyone,

1. I have a planned holiday trip to the UK for the Christmas and New Year period. This timing will fall around when my CoS/Visa is being processed. I can't find confirmation if it is okay to travel to the UK during the sponsorship application stage AND/OR the visa application stage? Does anyone know the rules for BOTH of these stages and what would my employer need to know about my upcoming travel?

2. What is the estimated timing for each stage?
• New, Tier 2 CoS Restricted TIming (i.e. I am confused if this takes 3-4 months OR if we submit by 5th of Dec, will we have the answer by ~11th Dec).
• New, Tier 2 Visa (General)

3. Lastly, what stage does the home office review the RLMT documentation. Is it the sponsorship stage or Visa stage?

Many thanks!