How to apply for a UK Visa Extension
Extending your visa may seem a straightforward process, however, it’s vital to establish your eligibility and be aware of the process before applying for a renewal. Immigration Lawyers UK recommends following these steps for a successful visa application:
- Educate yourself- Make sure you understand the process of obtaining a visa extension through your own research or consulting an immigration specialist.
- Check your eligibility- Meeting the eligibility requirements on your first application does not guarantee you will meet the requirements for your extension. It’s important to double check the visa eligibility requirements before applying, especially if your circumstance has changed.
- Make preparations prior to applying- Ensure you have obtained any necessary documents beforehand, such as renewing your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Once you are ready to apply, the application process will involve:
- Filling out the UK Visa renewal form on the Government website.
- Paying all necessary fees, including your application, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and biometric fee.
- Attending your biometric appointment with UKVCAS
- Providing the Home Office with any essential documents, such as your Certificate of Sponsorship when renewing a work visa.
If you are struggling with preparing documents or would like a detailed breakdown of the UK visa extension process, Immigration Lawyers UK’s solicitors are here to help you every step of the way!
UK Visa
Eligibility Test
How Can The Immigration Lawyers UK Help You?
Whether you are seeking to study, work, or reunite with your loved one in the UK, our team of experienced UK-based immigration lawyers is ready to assist you. We go above and beyond when it comes to the ever-changing landscape of immigration laws and policies in the country. One of our goals is to provide you with a well-versed service to remove the stress of immigration processes.
If you choose Immigration Lawyers UK, you are guaranteed personalised attention and a comprehensive approach to your case. This is because we work firsthand with our clients and carefully assess their unique circumstances.
Immigration Lawyers UK takes pride in its client-focused approach, and our track record speaks for itself – with numerous satisfied clients who have successfully navigated the UK immigration system with our help. To make matters more interesting, we are an expert in assisting in the following areas:
- UK Skilled Worker Visa
- UK Spouse Visa
- UK Visa Application Help
- UK Visa Extension
- ILR Appeal
- Student Visa Types
- British Citizen Types
- Appeal Services & Legal Representation
- Asylum and Detainee Help
Don’t let the complexities of immigration law deter you from pursuing your dreams to work, settle, and visit the country. Let Immigration Lawyers UK be your trusted partner in your immigration journey and call us for free today!
Why Hire One Of Immigration Lawyers UK’s Solicitors?
The rules of UK immigration law are a complex landscape and can be incredibly difficult to try to understand on your own. So, it’s better to hire one of Immigration Lawyers UK's solicitors rather than try to handle the process yourself. If you’re still not convinced, here are the top 3 reasons to consider seeking professional assistance:
- Expertise and Knowledge – Immigration Lawyers UK’s solicitors possess the necessary expertise and knowledge in any legal matters that may be included in your case. We keep ourselves updated with the latest regulations, policies, and procedures to offer you accurate and reliable immigration advice.
- Personalised Guidance – We understand that every case is unique, therefore, our solicitors will ensure they understand the specific details of your case, providing personalised guidance. Be it Asylum, Bail, or Judicial Reviews, we have a team of immigration solicitors who have the skills and expertise to present your bespoke case effectively.
- Mitigating Risks – There is no ‘do-it-yourself’ rule when it comes to immigration law. As it happens, fighting your case alone often involves significant risks – especially if you don’t have the knowledge or expertise to do so – as any mistakes or omissions could result in the rejection of your visa application. By hiring Immigration Lawyers UK’s solicitors, you reduce the risk of errors in your application, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
Our expertise, personalised guidance, and risk mitigation are invaluable assets throughout the entire process. Don't underestimate the importance of professional support when it comes to such critical and life-changing matters.
Spouse Visa Extension
If you’re approaching the end of your spouse visa, you can apply to extend your visa for another 30 months (2.5 years). This mostly involves meeting the same requirements as your previous application.
You can apply for your spouse visa extension no earlier than 28 days before your current visa expires but must do so before it does expire.
Visit Visa Extension
Under limited circumstances, you may be able to apply to extend your visit visa, including:
- Extreme circumstances where you are unable to travel
- You are receiving private medical treatment in the UK
A visit visa allows an individual to travel for a total of months in a year. If it is a new year and you would like to apply for an additional 6 months stay in the UK, you must apply for another visit visa with a fresh application.
Work Visa Extension
In order to apply for a work visa extension, you must meet the following criteria:
- Meeting the same salary requirement as your current visa for those on a skilled worker visa, or meeting the new salary requirements for a Tier 2 work visa.
- Be working at the same job you originally applied for your visa with
- Have the same occupational code for your job as when you previously applied
- Be working under the same employer who is responsible for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
If any of these are no longer true, you may be required to apply to update your visa or make a new application instead.
Student Visa Extension
As a student, you may be required to extend your visa in order to finish your current course or to start a new course.
In order to apply for a student visa extension, you must meet the following criteria:
- Currently hold a student visa
- Have an unconditional offer for a new course, shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (this is not relevant for students resitting exams or retaking modules)
You must apply for your extension within 6 months of receiving your Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and before your current visa expires.
If you have successfully completed your course and are looking to stay in the UK, you can apply for a Graduate visa instead, which allows you to stay for up to 2 years.
How will the immigration rule changes in Spring 2024 affect my UK visa extension application?
For those currently on a visa route looking to extend their visa, the new thresholds will not be applied to your application and you will be required to meet the previous threshold.
If, however, you are changing visa routes (with the exception of fiancé to spouse visas), you will be held to the new financial requirements.
How long does a visa extension take?
The Home Office can take up to 8 weeks to make a decision on your application, however, if you are in need of a quicker decision, you may be able to avail the Government’s priority service for a decision in 1-5 working days.
UK Visa Extension Refusals
Why was my UK Visa Extension refused?
Your visa extension application could be refused by the Home Office for various reasons, the most common being:
- You no longer meet the eligibility requirements for your visa type
- You applied longer than 14 days after your visa had expired
- Your application was incomplete or the fees were not paid on time
What are my options if my UK Visa extension application was refused?
If your application for a visa extension was refused, there are a number of steps you can take in order to continue staying in the UK, including:
- Applying with a new application
- Applying for a new visa type
- Appealing the decision
- Carrying out an Administrative Review
- Applying for a Judicial Review
If you are unsure which route is best for you, we recommend contacting immigration experts to advise you and ensure you do not overstay your visa or receive another refusal.
