Tier 2 Extension to Stay

There are arrangements currently under way to allow migrants who are in the UK under Tier 2 to apply for an extension to stay. This extension will take their total time in the UK to 5 years. Some applicants were given a miscalculated extension due to technical restrictions, and this change is to correct those miscalculations.

The crucial point that must be taken into consideration is that migrants under Tier 2 are no longer granted Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of their stay. They must leave the UK and return to their home countries once their 5 years has expired.
The extension is only applicable to:

• those who have been granted permission to be in the UK lawfully for less than two years under Tier 2.
• those that are still working under the same employer who was granted the certificate of sponsorship.
• those that are paid an appropriate amount for their salary, those that will carry on working with the same employer.
• those that have leave to remain in any Tier 2 category, the leave that was granted was at the most 3 years (under Tier 2) and those that still meet the conditions of their current leave, and can prove this.

As well as this, those that are applying for the Tier 2 extension can also qualify by being holders of a Business and Commercial, or a Sports and Entertainment work permit. They can also qualify as a missionary, member of a religious order or minister of religion, or a Jewish agency employer. If none of the above apply, then they can qualify to be a member of the operational ground staff of an overseas-owned airline.

The application form for applying to the extension will be available from August 2011. It will be called T2 (W) and will be available on the UKBA website.
When applying you must give evidence that you do work for the same employer, provide a facial image and finally, fingerprints. A new certificate of sponsorship is not required.
These changes come as a new arrangement to aid those whose work routes have closed and do indeed make life slightly easier for those under Tier 2 looking to work in the UK for longer.