Huge CoS delay (Tier 2 -> Skilled worker extension) HELP

[Teacher2112]

Hi all,

I'm an Australian currently working on a Tier 2 work visa in what was a shortage occupation (physics & math teacher). My company (an A listed sponsor) agreed to continue sponsoring me because they wanted to keep me on, and they agreed to sponsor me for a further 2 years. This was in November and my visa expires May 14th.

Come February and March, they had not sent me a CoS. After asking what was going on, it seems the HR manager in charge did not have an allocation of CoS ready and had to apply for a new allocation of undefined CoS. They paid the priority fee at the end of March/beginning of April. I was under the impression that it was a ~5 day turnaround.

it's now just over 10 days until my visa expires and I still don't have a CoS. They are apparently trying to contact UKVI every day, but there's absolutely no update. They've escalated the problem and were assured it would be dealt with within 5 working days 2 weeks ago. Still nothing!

I know if I can get an application started and something submitted, I should be okay, but without a CoS I can't submit anything!! I've got no idea what I'm supposed to do - I have all of my documentation ready to go for my application; passport, national police check from Australia, enhanced DBS check, prior documentation left over from my first visa application... all I need is the CoS.

Is there any advice that anyone can give me that might find out what the problem is? is there anything I can do to get more time? I really can't concentrate on anything else and having daily, horrible panic attacks about the situation. I've been in the country (over the course of 2 different types of visas) for almost 5 years and have built my life here. I'm already here, all I need is a digital piece of paper! Almost out of hope...

Thank you in advance for any replies, I appreciate any information that might help

[CR001]

A priority CoS turnaround is a few hours. I did this recently and my priority request for an additional 14 CoS came through within 2 hours of making the payment of £200.

There are limited number of priority CoS slots a day and you have to email at 9am exactly and wait to hear if you got in for the day.

[manci]

FYI details of the priority service are here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ce-service

Check that the HR manager followed the correct procedure incl. CR001's advice about timing..

[Teacher2112]

So there's no way to expedite the service other than to hope and pray I'm one of the 60 selected on the day? That's absolutely gutting. I've been waiting for a CoS for almost the full 3 months - I have everything else ready I just can't submit without a cos

[CR001]

The standard timeframe at the moment without priority is 18 weeks. When I found this out after contacting the business help desk as I had put in a request on the SMS 5 weeks earlier, I opted for priority and got through on the first attempt at 9am the next day. Once I submitted on the required form, I was notified within half an hour that I made it for the days quota and sent a link by email to pay the fee. Once paid, the 14 extra CoS requested were on the allocation page in the SMS within 20 hours.

So it is not as difficult as it seems.

[Teacher2112]

That's crazy! We've applied every working day since the 10th of April at 9AM on the dot and still haven't managed to get it - only the robotic message saying it's been received