UKBA has announced new visa extension arrangements for skilled workers under closed categories

The UK Border Agency is setting up new arrangements to correct errors in issuing extension of leave for skilled workers who switched to Tier 2 category from work routs that have now closed, so that they can bring the aggregated duration of their leave to remain to five years.

It appears that due to "technical restrictions" a number of Work Permit holders and other workers in non points-based categories received a truncated extension of stay which failed to bring the total leave to five years. They need to make yet another application for extension of stay before they can take advantage of their right to settle after five years.  

The UKBA has announced that these people and their dependants will be able to apply for extension of stay free of charge.  A new form T2(W) will be published on UKBA website in August 2011.

Read the UKBA announcement