UK Visa Extension

UK Visa Extension

If you are in the UK on a work or study visa, you may be eligible to apply for an extension of stay. An extension of stay will lengthen the period of time you are legally eligible to be living in the UK. Select the appropriate category below to find out if you are eligible.

Tier 1 (General)

If you are in the UK on a Tier 1 (General) visa, you were originally granted a period of stay lasting a maximum of 2 years. You may apply for an extension of stay for a maximum period of: 2 years if you are currently a Tier 1 (General) migrant and your current visa was granted before 6 April 2010; or 3 years if you are in any other eligible immigration category.

If you are able to successfully extend your stay in the UK and live there continuously for 5 years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status and settle permanently in the UK. Eventually, you may be eligible for British citizenship.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

If you are in the UK on a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, you were originally granted a period of stay lasting a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. You may apply for an extension of stay for an additional 2 years.

If you are able to successfully extend your stay in the UK and live there continuously for 5 years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status and settle permanently in the UK. Eventually, you may be eligible for British citizenship.

Tier 1 (Investor)

If you are in the UK on a Tier 1 (Investor), you were originally granted a period of stay lasting a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. You may apply for an extension of stay for an additional 2 years.

After you have met the appropriate period of continuous residence, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status and settle permanently in the UK. Eventually, you may be eligible for British citizenship.

Tier 2

If you are in the UK on a Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of Religion), or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa, you were originally granted a period of stay lasting a maximum of 3 years. You may apply for an extension of stay for an additional 3 years.

If you are able to successfully extend your stay in the UK and live there continuously for 5 years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status and settle permanently in the UK. Eventually, you may be eligible for British citizenship.

Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)

If you are in the UK on a Tier 2 (Intra-Company) visa, you were originally granted a period of stay lasting between 6 months and 3 years depending on the sub-category of your visa. You may apply for an extension of stay for an additional 12 months.

If you are able to successfully extend your stay in the UK and live there continuously for 5 years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain status and settle permanently in the UK. Eventually, you may be eligible for British citizenship.

Tier 4 (General)

If you are in a Tier 4 (General) visa, you were originally granted a period of stay lasting through the full length of your studies. You may not extend your stay unless you switch into another immigrant category.

Tier 4 (Child)

Children under 16 years old in the Tier 4 (Child) category are originally granted a period of stay lasting the full length of the course, up to a maximum of 6 years plus 4 months at the end of the course.

Children aged 16 or 17 years old in the Tier 4 (Child) category are originally granted a period of stay lasting the full length of the course, up to a maximum of 3 years plus 4 months at the end of the course.

You may not extend your stay unless you switch into another immigrant category.

Tier 5 (Temporary workers)

Tier 5 Migrant workers are eligible for an extension of stay if:

  • they have a certificate of sponsorship for their continued employment before they apply to extend their stay; and
  • the job is still at or above the appropriate level, and the salary is at or above the correct rate.