UK Visa Extension Procedure and Requirements 2024

Kritika
UK Visa Extension
A UK tourist visa has been granted to travellers for a limited time. Once your visa expires, you have to route back to your country. However, if you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your UK visa. By extending your visa, you can stay here in the UK for longer. Individuals can apply for UK visa extension only if they have enrolled in a course, are working in some company, are a part of research projects that are not finished yet, and so on. In that situation, the UK government allows visa holders to switch to another UK visit visa to live for an additional period. However, you may need to entail documentation requirements and complete the follow-up procedure. Hence, to help you out, we have curated a stepwise guide on extending your UK visa.

UK Visa Extension

These are few vital UK visa types which may be extended. However, UK visa extension is not eligible for every UK visa. Should one have a visa which may not be extended, they may switch to another visa type. Some popular UK visa types which can be extended comprise

Standard Visitor Visa

It may be extended provided one has permission to be in the UK for less than six months. The UK tourist visa extension can be made for 6 months only if one caters to the eligibility requirements. One may apply for a UK stay for over 6 months provided,
  1. A patient gets medical treatment
  2. A graduate retaking PLAB test or doing a clinical attachment
  3. An academic who still meet eligibility needs

Extension Fees

This cost,
  1. GBP 1,000 for extending one’s stay as a Standard Visitor
  2. An additional GBP 800 should one opt for super priority service
Besides, one will also be required to have their biometric information (a photograph and fingerprints) taken, which does not demand any fee.

Essential Documents

While applying for UK visitor visa extension, one will be advised to make an appointment at UK Visa & Citizenship Services service point to give their biometric information, which is their photo and fingerprints. Besides, they are also required to submit supporting documents which prove their eligibility. They can,
  1. Have the documents scanned at their UKVCAS appointment
  2. Upload their documents to the online service

Family Visa

One may stay in the UK on this visa for 2 years, or 9 months. Should one apply as a proposed civil partner, fiancé or fiancée, they may stay for 6 months. Should they extend the UK visa, to be more precise the family visa, they may stay in the UK for 2 years, or 6 months.
  1. One may apply for the extension of their stay with family if they are in UK already on family visa
  2. One can at any time extend prior to the expiry of their current stay permission in UK
Should one extends in staying with that same family member, they will get only 28 days left on their present stay added in their new visa. They require residing in UK for some time prior to being eligible for settlement. One should be capable of applying to stay as per their private life if they have resided in UK already for many years.

Extension Fees

The cost rests on how one applies. Should one be incapable of paying the fee, they may be entitled for a fee waiver but in certain circumstances, for instance, if one is not capable of affording a place for staying or their essential living costs. A fee waiver applicant should complete an online request for fee waiver. One may also require as part of their application in paying the healthcare surcharge. For every adult aged 18 and more, it costs,
  1. GBP 1,560 should they reside for 2 years, 6 months
  2. GBP 1,872 should they reside for 2 years, 9 months
  3. GBP 3,120, should they stay for 5 years
In case of every child below 18, it costs,
  1. GBP 1,175 should they reside for 2 years, 6 months
  2. GBP 1,410 should they reside for 2 years, 9 months
  3. GBP 2,350 should they reside for 5 years

Essential Documents

In case of UK visitor visa extension for UK visitors, they will require having some evidence and information ready while making the application. Add information about them and dependants if any applying together. One will require providing these,
  1. FLR (M) completed application form
  2. Recent passport or any other valid travel ID. In case of previous passports, one will require presenting a copy of the same (photo page) coupled with a copy of any page which has a visa stamp. One may also require in presenting documents related to their partner and kids they apply on behalf of
  3. One also needs to present financial documents such as pay slips and bank statements
  4. Certified test certificate for English language (exempt)
  5. Proof and details of relationship such as a certificate for civil partnership or marriage accepted via the UK law. It is needed for being capable of demonstrating that they are in a relationship that is genuine and that they are residing together for the period of their residency in UK.
Having a blank page in their passport is a must on which to place the visa should they apply outside the UK.

When You Can Apply for UK Visa Extension?

You can apply for a UK Visa Extension when your current tourist visa expires. But if you are already planning to extend your visa, submit your visa extension application a month beforehand, so you have plenty of time. It would be great to apply for the UK visa extension at least three months before your existing visa expires.

Which UK Visa Can Be Extended?

UK visit visa holders can extend all types of visas. However, the visa applicant needs to be sure that they do not fail any of the extension requirements. But if you have a Tier 5 youth mobility scheme visa, you cannot extend it further. An individual having this visa can stay in the UK for two years with an entry visa. If visitors want to stay longer, they have to return to their country and apply for a visa again.
Also Check: Most Important Reasons for UK Visa Rejection or Refusal

What Are the Documents Required to Apply for Visa Extension?

Here are the documents required to apply for a visa extension:
  • Completely fill out the application form for a UK visa extension
  • Birth certificate of the children (if you are applying for a visa extension for the child)
  • Your education certificate or documents
  • Work or course joining documents for which you want to get a visa extension
  • Valid passport copy
  • Finance proof that shows you have enough funds to handle the expenses of studying or traveling to the UK
  • Certificate of ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) (if needed)
  • Police Registration Certificate (if needed)
  • Paid healthcare surcharge (if needed)
  • Two photographs (go through the UK photographs specifics)

Other Requirements of UK Visa Extension

  • Here are some more requirements to apply for the UK Visa extension, which are as follows:
  • You can apply for a visa extension in the same type of visa that you are currently holding
  • Apply for the visa at least 6-8 weeks before your current visa expires
  • Before applying for the UK visit visa extension, do ensure you are not enrolled in criminal activities or break the law of UK immigration. If you are found guilty, you cannot extend your visa.
  • Visa holders need to provide biometric information, including photographs, fingerprints, and other information mentioned in the application form
  • Be sure you do not breach immigration laws when applying for the UK visa extension.
Key Note: You are allowed to stay for a certain period even after the visa expires if you are applying for the UK visit visa extension.

How to Apply for UK Visa Extension?

Visa holders can apply for a UK visa extension while staying in the UK and even out of the UK.

When You Are in the UK

  • You can apply online for visa extension through standard extension priority services.
  • You can apply for an extension of the visa at the Premium Service center in-person to have the same-day decision on the extension application.
  • Enroll in the course to get the visa extension of study visa. If you are working here and traveling, explain why you need to extend the visa.
  • Your documents will be verified at the immigration office
  • Once your documents are verified, you have to attend an interview in which some questions will be asked about your personal circumstances. You will get a bio-metric residence permit to extend your visa if your application is approved.
Suggested Read: Top 10 International Airports in UK

When You Are Out of the UK

  • Send the visa extension application via post office to the official address written on the visa application form.

Length of UK Visit Visa Extension

Though you can ask for a visa extension, there are some limitations on the extension period. This means your visa is extended only for a particular period. The maximum period of visa extension is as follows:
  • Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa- For Maximum 2 years
  • Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa- For a maximum of 5 years
  • Tier 2 Sportsperson Visa- For a maximum of 14 days to 3 years
  • Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa- For a maximum of 2 weeks to 1 year
  • Tier 5 Creative and Sporting Visa
  1. Create Worker Visa- For a maximum of 2 weeks to 1 year after the end of the sponsorship certificate.
  2. Sportsperson Visa- For a maximum of 2 weeks to 1 year after the expiration of the sponsorship certificate.
  • Tier 5 Visa extension for temporary workers of the Government Authorized exchange and International Agreement- For 6 years.
  • Tier 5 temporary worker and religious worker – Maximum 2 weeks to 2 years.
  • Extension for UK Work visa
  • The visa can be extended for researchers and training persons or individuals who enroll in an overseas government language program for up to 2 years.
  • The Turkish Business Visa can be extended for 3 years (Only if the person is working within the same company). If you do not have complete documents, you need to re-apply for the visa.
Extending your UK visa by yourself may seem a bit confusing and overwhelming. In such cases, it would be best to work with an experienced visa agent for your UK visa extension.

Priority Service- UK Visa Extension

Should one be eligible, they may opt for a priority service while they apply. They will require having GBP 500 along with the application fee. Within 5 days they will get a decision. The time begins from either,
  1. Their appointment date, should they prove their identity at UKVCAS appointment centre
  2. Working day post they complete uploading their documents if they use the app of UK Immigration ID Check
  3. They will be informed while they apply whether they can prove their identity using the app or at the UKVCAS centre.

Super Priority Service

Should one be eligible they may opt for the super priority service while they apply. They will require paying GBP800 together with the application fee. They will receive a decision,
  1. By the closing of the following working day post their appointment should the appointment be on a weekday
  2. Two working days post their appointment, should their appointment be on any bank holiday or at the weekend

Status Check of UK Visa Extension

Currently, it is not likely in monitoring the progress of one’s particular visa application online. One may however have access to online resource on UK’s official visa & immigration website that will offer them with the right contact information of the department that handles their specific visa application. They can alternatively contact the UK Visa & Immigration contact centre via phone at
  1. +44 (0) 203 875 4669, in case one cannot dial 0300 number
  2. +44 (0) 300 790 6268- choose option 3
Timings: 8am-8:30pm (Mon-Fri), and 9:30am-4:30pm (Sat-Sun)

UK ILR

The indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is how one settles in UK. This gives them the right in studying, working, and residing there as long as they desire, and apply for perks provided they are eligible. They can use this for applying for British citizenship. In fact there are multiple ways one can be entitled for ILR in UK such as,
  1. Should one possess a work visa, lived and worked for 5 years in UK, and cater to the salary requirements.
  2. Should one have family in UK either as an individual with ILR or a British citizen
  3. Have resided for 10 years in UK
  4. Should one be a Commonwealth citizen
Apart from these, there are more ways of applying too. Visit the official site of UK government for complete details.

FAQs

Q1. Is visa extension possible after its expiry?

Though it is suggestive in applying for visa extension prior to expiration of the current visa, there are a few limited situations where the visa extension application is accepted post expiry. In specific situations, there is a 14-day good reason rule provision that lets one to apply for UK visa renewal post expiry yet within fourteen days of date of expiry and on valid grounds. Examples comprise death of any family member or receiving emergency treatment in hospital. Such claims require being backed through evidence.

Q2. What if in case of a refusal of visa extension?

No matter the reason for visa renewal refusal, one has a couple of options for resolving the same, comprising,
  1. Submit a fresh application
  2. Apply for a different visa type
  3. Appeal- this is accessible only in limited cases where one’s projection/humanitarian rights or human rights are impacted
  4. Administrative review-should there be any error made by UKVI when they refused one’s application
  5. Judicial review-should one’s visa extension application refusal be unlawful

Q3. When should one ideally apply for UK visa extension?

It is highly suggestive that one submits their application for UK visa extension a minimum of 8 weeks prior to expiration of the valid visa period.

Q4. Can a UK visa be renewed before its expiry?

The United Kingdom does not permit for UK visa renewal, thus one requires returning to their home country and re-applying for UK visa with the entire same process followed while applying for new visa application for UK.

Q5. How many times a UK visa can be extended?

It is suggestive in applying for UK visa extension prior to the expiry of one’s current visa. If they however continue in meeting every requirement of their visa extension, then there is no such limit on the number of times they can extend their UK visa.
Also Check: Apply For A UK Tourist Visa From Dubai
 
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