UK Visa Extension
Find Out the Details of a UK Visa Extension
If you are already in the UK but are not yet a permanent resident, you might be interested in extending your current visa so you can stay longer. A UK visa renewal is available on most types of visas, but the rules and method of application often differ. In some cases, you will find that a UK visa extension is either not available or not necessary because you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after you use certain visa types for a specified number of years. You can look up the particulars on a website like Capital Visas to be sure.
UK visa extension opportunities are available for students, workers, and dependents. However, if you have a work visa, your employer will need to apply for the extension for you, just like they acted as your sponsor in your original visa application. If you possess a Highly Skilled visa, you can apply for an extension as long as you still meet the requirements for the programme. Similar to the first application, you will need to score 95 points and prove your English language proficiency. If you have already been working in the UK for five years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain rather than a UK visa renewal.
If you are a student and you find your course of study is taking longer than you had thought it would, you can apply for an extension. You can do the same if you decide to study more in the UK after you have obtained your first degree. You will need to show that you can support yourself throughout the entire course of study, and you need to apply before the original visa expires.
If your spouse has lived in Britain with you for at least two years, they do not need to apply for a UK visa extension. They can instead apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after two years of residency. Some visas do not allow extensions, such as the fiancé visa. This type states that you must get married within six months of receiving it, so it cannot be renewed if you miss that time period. You should also remember to apply at least a few months before the expiry of your visa, as you will be asked to leave the country if the renewal has not gone through by that time.