Skilled worker visa renewal questions

[SMBala]

Hi Mods/fellow members,


I submitted a 3-year visa application but was issued a visa with 2year and 11months. I'm in the process of renewing the visa for a further two years to become eligible for ILR. Should I be now be requesting a 2year or a 3-year (or 2.5 year) visa extension to satisfy the 5-year ILR criteria?

Dates for reference:

3-year application
Application submitted date: 30 Aug 2023
Visa Start date: 28 Sept 2023
Visa End date: 27 Aug 2026

CoS details:

CoS Start date: 1 August 2023
CoS Expiry date: 2 November 2023


Employment dates mentioned in CoS:

Employment start date: 14 Aug 2023
Employment Start date: 13 Aug 2026

Questions:
1) Should the new application be for 2years or 2.5 yeara or 3 years?
2) Does the Employment dates in CoS matter when the visa expires?