How to Extend Your UK Visa: Eligibility, Documents, Application Process

If you’re studying or working in the UK, you might need to extend your visa before it expires. But, knowing how to extend your UK visa can be tricky, but once you learn the process and requirements it gets easier. After all, there are different types of UK visas, and each has its own set of rules for extensions. Extending your visa allows you to stay in the UK beyond the original expiration date. Overstaying after your current visa has lapsed can have serious consequences such as a ban on re-entry and deportation. Therefore, It’s important to stay on top of the deadlines and gather the right documents to ensure your extension application is successful. In this guide, you will read all about how to extend your UK visa, eligibility requirements, documents, fees, and more details. 

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Types of UK Visa You can Extend  

You can extend your visa in the UK depending on the type of visa you have. Some common visas that can be extended, as long as you meet the requirements, are:

• UK Student Visa
• Skilled Worker Visa
• Health and Care Worker Visa
• Family Visas
• Innovator Founder Visa
• Global Talent Visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

Some UK visas don’t allow extensions. These include:

• Standard Visitor Visa
• Short-Term Study Visa
• Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Youth Mobility Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Graduate Visa

How to Extend Your UK Visa Before it Expires?

When applying for a UK visa extension, it’s important to submit your application before your current visa expires. Even if your visa expires while you’re waiting for a decision, you can remain in the UK under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. This allows you to stay legally until you are notified of the decision, including if you’re waiting for the result of an appeal or administrative review.

Section 3C leave ensures you don’t become an overstayer while your extension is pending. It also means you can continue under the same conditions as your previous visa, such as working in your current job, as long as it’s allowed under your visa restrictions.

Do Check Out:

• A Comprehensive Guide – UK Visas and Immigration Process
• Applying for Tier 5 Visa UK? Here is the Process
• Post Study Work Visa UK for Indian Students: All You Need to Know

Eligibility Criteria for Common UK Visa Categories

When applying for a UK visa extension, you must meet the eligibility criteria based on the type of visa you hold and your personal circumstances. Here are some common visa categories and their specific eligibility requirements:

1. Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years before needing to extend it. To apply for an extension, you must fulfil certain conditions such as:

• You must be working in the same job role and occupation code as when your visa was first granted.
• Your employer must still be your sponsor and remain licensed to sponsor skilled workers.

After 5 years, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and settle permanently in the UK.

2. Spouse Visa

The Spouse visa lets you stay in the UK for an initial period of 2 years and 9 months. You can extend your Spouse visa for another 2.5 years. After either 5 or 10 years, depending on your route, you can apply for settlement in the UK. The basic criteria to extend your visa include:

• You must prove that your relationship is genuine and that you plan to continue living together.
• You need to meet financial and English language requirements.
• If you are applying based on your family life, you must meet accommodation requirements.

Documents Required to Extend Your UK Visa

When applying to extend your UK visa, it’s important to submit the right documents to support your application. In addition to any specific documents related to your visa type, you will typically need the following:

• Passport
• Biometric residence permit (If you’ve been issued one)
• Proof of identity like a national ID card or driving license (if applicable)
• Visa application form
• Proof of payment 
• Passport-sized photographs according to the UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) specifications
• Proof of address
• Proof of financial means

Apart from the general documents listed above, some visa categories require additional documents to verify your eligibility. Here are a few examples:

• Spouse Visa: You will need to show that you are still married and in a genuine relationship with a British citizen or a person with UK-settled status.
• Skilled Worker Visa: You must provide your Certificate of Sponsorship as proof of your ongoing employment with a licensed UK employer. 

Do Check Out:

• UK Student Dependent Visa: New Rules & Requirements,
• How to Apply for a UK Visa?
• How to Get a Skilled Worker Visa in UK? Latest Guidelines

How to Extend Student Visa in UK

To extend your student visa in UK, you can apply up to 3 months before your course starts but before your current visa expires. Moreover, your new course must begin within 28 days of your visa expiring. Another important thing to remember is that you must also apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS letter.

Eligibility to Extend Student Visa in UK

It’s important to apply for your extension before your current visa expires to ensure you can stay and study without any interruptions. You will have to satisfy basic requirements such as:

• Current Visa: You need to be on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
• Unconditional Offer: You must have an unconditional offer for a course with a licensed student sponsor, which is confirmed by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Academic Progress: Your new course must be at a higher academic level than your current one. 

Some exceptions to academic progress include:

• Resetting exams or repeating modules.
• Applying to complete a course at a new institution if your previous one lost its sponsor license.
• Completing a PhD or doctorate that you started under your last student visa.

Apart from this, you’ll also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself while studying if you’ve been in the UK for less than 12 months, 

Fee for Student Visa Extension

You need to pay a certain amount of fee to extend your UK student visa which may include:

• Extension Fee: The cost to extend your student visa is £490.
• Healthcare Surcharge: You will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, depending on your circumstances.

Application Process for Student Visa Extension

You must apply online for your visa extension. As part of the application process, you’ll need to prove your identity, which can be done in two ways:

1. Using the UK Immigration ID Check app: Scan your identity document and sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
2. Biometric Information: If required, you’ll visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point to have your fingerprints and photo taken.

What Happens After You Apply

Once you have applied for a UK student visa extension, you will receive the decision within 8 weeks. 

• If it’s successful, you’ll receive an eVisa, an online record of your immigration status.
• If your application is complex or takes longer, you may be contacted for additional information or an interview.

Do Check Out:

• An Overview of UK Visa Restrictions
• UK Visa Application Online
• How to Get UK Business Visa: A Detailed Guide

Spouse Visa Extension UK

A spouse visa extension allows you to extend your stay in the UK to continue living with your partner after your current visa expires. You can extend your visa to stay with your spouse or partner with whom you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years. 

Eligibility for Spouse Visa Extension UK

You must apply for Spouse Visa Extension UK before your current visa expires. If you extend your visa to stay with the same partner, you may only get an additional 28 days on your new visa.

You can apply for a spouse visa extension in the UK if:

• You are already in the UK on a family visa.
• You intend to live with your spouse in the UK.
• Your current visa is about to expire, but you still wish to stay longer.

Documents Required for a Spouse Visa Extension

When applying, you need to provide:

• Proof of your relationship, such as a marriage certificate or joint bills.
• Proof of your finances to meet the financial requirement.
• Evidence of your English language proficiency (a test or qualifications).

How to Apply for a Spouse Visa Extension

You can apply for your UK Spouse Visa extension anytime before your current visa expires. It’s recommended to apply at least 4 – 6 weeks before your visa runs out to allow time for processing.

You can apply for a spouse visa extension online, whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. If you’re already in the UK, you’ll submit your application through the UK Visa and Immigration website.

1. First, complete the online application form.
2. Pay the fee and healthcare surcharge depending on your application type. 
3. Submit documents or evidence of your relationship, finances, and English proficiency.

How Long Can You Stay on a Spouse Visa Extension?

When you extend your spouse visa, you’ll typically get an extension of 2 years and 6 months. If you are extending from a fiancé(e) visa or a similar visa, the initial stay might be 6 months.

After completing the initial extension period, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), which means you can stay in the UK permanently.

How Much Does a Spouse Visa Extension Cost?

The cost of applying for a spouse visa extension depends on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK.

• Apply from within the UK: GBP 1,258
• Apply from outside the UK: GBP 1,846

You may also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which varies depending on the length of your stay:

• £2,587.50 for 2 years and 6 months (for adults).
• £1,940 for 2 years and 6 months (for children).
• Additionally, you can opt for the super-priority service for a faster decision, which costs an extra £1,000 if you apply from within the UK.

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This blog was all about how to extend your UK visa. Want to learn more about visa processes and requirements for different countries? If so, check out the blogs on Visa sections by Leverage Edu for expert advice.