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Updated August 2023

The United Kingdom is a land of endless beauty and opportunities. From the rolling hills of the countryside to the bustling streets of London, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to extend their UK visa. With a strong economy, a high standard of living and a diverse population, the UK is a perfect place to call home, even if just for a little while longer.

The UK visa renewal and extension process is simple and straightforward and can easily be completed online for different types of visas. Here is the complete guide on extending your visa in the UK, the entire renewal process, application and fee details.

Table of Contents

When to apply for UK visa extension?

The renewal of visas issued by the UK is done by extending the validity of the visa. This process differs for different types of visas and entry permits. To ensure compliance with UK visa rules, it is crucial to submit your visa extension application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before the expiration of your current visa. Failure to do so may result in being regarded as an overstayer by the Home Office.

The timing of your UK visa extension application varies depending on the type of visa you currently hold. For instance, if you possess a Skilled Worker visa, you are eligible to apply up to 60 days before your visa’s expiration. On the other hand, if you hold a Student visa and have been accepted for a new course of study, the earliest you can apply for an extension is 3 months before your visa’s expiry date. It’s essential to adhere to these timelines to ensure a smooth and timely application process.

Can you extend visa after expiry date?

While it is advisable to apply for visa extension before your current visa expires, there are some limited circumstances where an application for visa extension is accepted after the expiry date.

In certain exceptional circumstances, there is a provision known as the ’14-day good reason rule’ that allows you to apply for a UK visa renewal even after your visa has expired, but within 14 days of the expiration date, provided you have a valid reason. You must demonstrate that there were compelling reasons beyond your control that prevented you from applying on time. Examples of such situations include receiving emergency medical treatment in a hospital or dealing with the death of a close family member.

These claims have to be backed by evidence. For example, a letter from your doctor detailing the circumstances and dates of your hospital admission.

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UK visa extension

Here are some of the most popular UK visa types that can be extended. It is worth noting that not all UK visas are eligible for extension. If you are holding a visa that cannot be extended, you can switch to a different type of visa.

Here are some of the most popular types of UK visas that can be extended.

Standard visitor visa

You may be able to extend your standard visitor visa if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements.

You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you’re:

a patient receiving medical treatment
an academic and you still meet the eligibility requirements
a graduate retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment

Extension fees

It costs:

GBP 1,000 to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor
an extra GBP 800 if you use the super priority service

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

Documents required

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

You’ll also need to submit the supporting documents that prove your eligibility. You can:

upload your documents to the online service
have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

Family visa

You can stay in the UK for 2 years and 9 months on this visa. If you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you can stay for 6 months. If you extend your family visa, you can stay in the UK for 2 years and 6 months.

you can apply to extend your stay with your family member if you’re already in the UK on a family visa
you can extend at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires

If you’re extending to stay with the same family member, you’ll only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa. You must live in the UK for a certain amount of time before you’re eligible for settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’).

You might be able to apply to stay on the basis of your private life if you’ve lived in the UK for many years already.

Extension fees

How much it costs depends on how you apply.

Type of applicant	Apply outside the UK	Apply in the UK
Cost if joining your partner, parent or child	GBP 1,538	GBP 1,048
Cost for each dependant added to your application	GBP 1,538 each person	GBP 1,048 each person
Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative	GBP 3,250	GBP 1,048

If you cannot pay the fee, you may be eligible for a fee waiver in certain situations – for example, if you cannot afford a place to live or your essential living costs. Fee waiver applicants must complete an online fee waiver request.

You might also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

For each adult (18 or older), it costs:

GBP 1,560 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
GBP 1,872 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
GBP 3,120 if you’re staying for 5 years

For each child (under 18), it costs:

GBP 1,175 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
GBP 1,410 if you’re staying for 2 years and 9 months
GBP 2,350 if you’re staying for 5 years

Documents required

You’ll need to have information and some evidence ready when you make your application. Include information for you and any dependants applying at the same time.

You’ll need to provide the following:

Completed application form for FLR (M)
Current passport or other valid travel ID. If you have any previous passports, you’ll be expected to provide a copy of the photo page together with copies of any pages that include a visa stamp. You will also need to provide documents relating to your partner and any children you are applying on behalf of
Financial documents, like bank statements and payslips will need to be provided.
Certified English language test certificate (exempt)
Details and proof of relationship, like a marriage or civil partnership certificate accepted under UK law. This is needed to be able to demonstrate that you are both in a genuine relationship and that you have been living together for the duration of your residency in the UK

You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa if you’re applying outside the UK.

Skilled worker visa

You can usually apply to extend a skilled worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of the following are true:

you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship

Please note that your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you or at any time before their current visa expires.

You may need to meet different eligibility requirements depending on:

whether you got the certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 visa before or after 24 November 2016
whether you applied for your first Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa before 6 April 2021
your occupation code – some have different going rates

To know more details about these requirements, visit the UK government’s official website.

Extension fees

Here are the applicable fees for extending your skilled worker visa,

up to 3 years – £719 per person
more than 3 years – £1,423 per person

You’ll pay a lower application fee if your job is on the shortage occupation list.

Documents required

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or residence permit you have.

You’ll either:

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Student visa/Tier 4 visa

You may be able to extend your Student visa to stay longer and continue your course or study a new course. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.

To extend your visa you must:

be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa
have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (called the ‘academic progress requirement’) – there are some exceptions

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.

Extension fees

For each person, you’ll need to pay:

£490 to extend this visa
the healthcare surcharge – check how much you’ll have to pay

Documents required

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have.

You’ll either:

use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit

UK visa extension application process

Ensure all necessary preparations are done before applying for the UK visa extension.
Obtain the required documents, and any additional documents, such as a new Certificate of Sponsorship if you have a skilled worker visa or Certificate of Acceptance for Studies, if you have a student visa
Verify that you meet all eligibility criteria for the visa extension; initial approval does not guarantee automatic eligibility.
Complete the relevant online UK visa renewal form based on your current visa type.
Pay the necessary fees, including the visa extension fee and healthcare surcharge.
Book and attend an appointment at the nearest UKVCAS office to have your identity checked and provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
Submit any additional documents requested by UKVI to support your application, such as business endorsement letters or other required proofs.

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
do not have internet access

UK visa extension processing time

The decision on your extension application is typically processed within 8 weeks. However, if your case is straightforward and you have furnished all the required information and evidence, you may receive a decision much sooner. It is important to note that you are allowed to remain in the UK while waiting for a decision, even if your visa has expired, provided that your application was submitted to UKVI before the visa expiry date.

UK visa extension priority service

Priority service

If you’re eligible, you can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply. You’ll need to pay GBP 500 in addition to the application fee.

You’ll get a decision within 5 working days. The time starts from either:

the day of your appointment, if you prove your identity at a UK Visa and Citizen Application Services (UKVCAS) appointment centre
the working day after you finished uploading your documents, if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

You’ll be told whether you can prove your identity at a UKVCAS centre or using the app when you apply.

Super priority service

If you’re eligible, you can choose the ‘super priority service’ when you apply. You’ll need to pay GBP800 in addition to the application fee.

You’ll get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after your appointment, if your appointment is on a weekday
2 working days after your appointment, if your appointment is at the weekend or on a bank holiday

UK visa extension status check

At present, it is not possible to monitor the progress of your specific visa application online. However, you have access to an online resource on the official visa and immigration website of the UK that will provide you with the relevant contact details of the department handling your specific visa application.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre by phone at:

+44 (0)300 790 6268 – select option 3
+44 (0)203 875 4669, if you are unable to dial 0300 numbers

Timings are Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8.30 PM and Saturday and Sunday, 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM.

UK Indefinite Leave to Remain

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It gives you the right to live, work and study there for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

There are different ways you can be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. These are:

If you have a work visa, have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years and meet the salary requirements
if you have family in the UK, either as a British citizen or as a person with indefinite leave to remain
If you have lived in the UK for 10 years
If you are a Commonwealth citizen

There are other ways to apply as well. For extensive details, visit the UK government’s official website.