You can apply to extend your stay in the UK if you’re on a spouse/partner visa, Innovator visa, Student visa, Ancestry visa or Skilled Worker visa. Depending on your situation, you may need to switch to another visa, rather than extending your current visa. Make sure you extend your visa before it expires.
How do I extend my UK visa?
To extend your UK visa, you must apply from within the UK before your current visa expires. There are different requirements for various UK visas.
Extend your partner visa or spouse visa
You can apply to extend your spouse visa. You must apply to extend your partner or spouse visa 28 days before it expires. Once your extension has been granted, you will be able to remain in the UK for another two years and six months.
If you are re-applying for your spouse visa, you will need to complete the FLR M form. This stands for Further Leave to Remain in the Marriage category.
Mainly, you will need to prove that you have been living together for the duration of your genuine relationship and you must provide all the necessary documents. All of the documents must be filled in correctly, any mistakes may result in a refusal.
Extend your Student visa
You can apply to extend your Student visa (previously Tier 4) if you want to stay in the UK to continue your studies. This includes if you currently have a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
You can apply no more than three months before your course starts and before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
You must apply for your extension within six months of receiving your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
To extend your visa you must:
- Be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa
- Have a CAS showing that you have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
- Be studying a course that is at a higher academic level than your current course
You must extend your dependants’ visas at the same time that you extend your visa. If this is not possible, your dependants must apply before their visas expire.
Proving academic progress
To extend your visa, you will need to show that you will be studying a course that is at a higher academic level than your current course.
Your new course can be one of the following:
- At a higher academic level than your current course
- At the same level and related to your previous course, and be degree level or above at a Higher Education Provider (HEP)
- Intercalated to medicine, dentistry or medical science course you started studying under your current Student visa
The cost of extending your student visa
- You will need to pay £475 to extend this visa
- The healthcare surcharge (you can use the UK Gov’s surcharge calculator to work out the fee)
- Pay to have your biometric information taken
Extend your Ancestry visa
While the Ancestry visa leads directly to permanent residency after five years, it is also possible to extend your visa should the need arise. You must apply from within the UK. Your extension will be valid for a further five years. You must include all your dependants on your application.
After you have applied
Once you have applied (before your previous visa expires), you can stay in the UK until you have received the decision from the Home Office. You must not leave the UK before you have received this decision.
Extend your Skilled Worker visa
You can apply to extend your Skilled Worker (previously the Tier 2 visa). This includes if you currently have a Tier 2 (General) visa.
You must meet the following requirements to be able to apply for an extension:
- You have the same job as when you were granted your initial visa
- Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were granted your initial visa
- You’re still working for the employer who issued you with your current certificate of sponsorship
If your certificate of sponsorship was issued after 24 November 2016
If you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you must still meet the new salary requirements. Your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Your allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.
Helping family members
If you need to help your family members, we recommend speaking to an expert immigration caseworker.