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Postal route for tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system
21 November 2008
Between the 27 November 2008 and 1 April 2009, applicants in the United Kingdom will be able to apply for tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system using the postal route only. There will be no premium service.
Our service standard for processing tier 2 and 5 applications is six weeks until April 2009. We realise that it may be difficult for frequent travellers to be without their passport for this length of time.
If you need to travel a lot out of the United Kingdom with your work before 26 November and your permission to stay ends between now and April 2009, you can apply for a new work permit using the existing process between now and the 26 November. If your work permit application is successful, you can then apply for the permission to stay using the Premium Service offered at a Public Enquiry Office.
If you need to travel a lot after 27 November and permission to stay ends between now and April 2009, you can apply using the premium postal service.
Applicants can apply using the premium postal service if they meet the following requirements:
- they are paying by credit or debit card;
- they can show that they need to travel overseas regularly;
- they plan to travel within six weeks of submitting their application;
- they are extending their stay in the United Kingdom doing the same job and working for the same sponsor;
- they are working for an A-rated sponsor.
We aim to make a decision on the application within one week of the payment clearing. This is not a guarantee that we will decide in one week.
If your application does not meet the requirements above, we will tell the applicant and aim to make the decision within our normal time of six weeks. Our decision on which applications we will consider to be premium postal service applications is final.
We will publish more detailed information about the service before 27 November on this website.