You may be eligible to apply for a UK visa extension to continue your stay in the UK depending on the type of your current visa and the purpose of the stay. You must apply for an extension before the current visa expires to maintain lawful status in the UK.
It is important to note that not all visa types are eligible for extensions, and certain visa categories may have specific conditions or limitations regarding extensions. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with an immigration lawyer for accurate and up-to-date information pertaining to a particular visa category and its renewal process.
Contact our immigration lawyer on 01619899370 or fill in the enquiry form to take the first step towards your successful UK visa extension application.
What is a UK visa extension?
A UK visa extension is a process of prolonging or extending the validity period of an existing visa granted by the UKVI to a foreign national. If your current visa is about to expire, you may be able to apply for a visa extension to extend your stay in the UK.
The purpose of a visa extension is to enable individuals to continue their activities in the UK, such as work, study, or other permitted purposes, beyond the expiration date of their original visa. By obtaining a visa extension, individuals can maintain their legal status and avoid any potential issues related to overstaying their visas.
UK work visa extension applications
Whether you want to apply for or extend your work visa, contact our immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 for legal advice & help with your UK visa application.
Here is a list of some common types of UK work visa extension applications:
- UK Skilled Worker visa extension
- Health and Care Worker visa extension
- Scale-up Worker visa extension
- Global Talent visa extension
- Minister of Religion visa (T2) extension
UK family visa extension applications
If you want to extend or renew your UK family visa, contact our immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 for legal advice & help with your UK visa application.
Here is a list of some common types of UK family visa extension applications:
- UK Spouse visa extension
- Unmarried Partner visa extension
- Civil Partner visa extension
- Unmarried Partner visa extension
- Parent of a British Child visa extension
What are the requirements for a UK visa extension?
The specific requirements and procedures for a UK visa extension vary depending on the type of visa held by the individual and the purpose of their stay.
Generally, the UK visa extension process involves submitting an application, providing supporting documents, and paying the Home Office UK visa application fees. It is crucial to apply for an extension before the current visa expires to ensure continuity of legal stay in the UK.
Can you apply to extend your visa after its expiry?
Yes, in certain circumstances, it may be possible to apply to extend your visa after its expiry within 14 days. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has a provision known as the "14-day rule" that allows individuals to submit a late application for a visa extension if they can provide a valid reason for the delay.
To qualify under the 14-day rule, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have a valid reason for not applying before your visa expired. Valid reasons may include serious illness, a natural disaster, or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the application on time.
- The application must be made within 14 days of the expiration of your previous visa.
- You must provide a full explanation and supporting evidence for the delay in your application.
It's important to note that the UKVI will assess each case individually, and they have discretionary powers to decide whether to accept a late application under the 14-day rule. There is no guarantee that your application will be accepted, and it's crucial to provide compelling reasons and strong evidence to support your case.
It is strongly recommended to seek advice from an immigration lawyer to discuss your specific circumstances and eligibility under the 14-day rule.
Immigration lawyer for UK visa extension
Different types of UK visas have different requirements regarding extensions, so it's better to seek advice from an immigration lawyer for accurate information.
Call us on 0161 989 9370 for legal advice & assistance with the renewal or extension of your visa. Our immigration lawyer will help you every step of the way.
Assistance with UK visa extension application
As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:
- assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
- advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
- assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
- advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
- complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
- submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
- prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
- upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
- dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
- do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
Contact our experienced and friendly immigration lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential immigration advice and legal assistance with a UK visa application or any other immigration matter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding UK visa extensions:
Yes, in most cases, you can stay in the UK while waiting for your visa extension to be processed. As long as you submitted your visa extension application before your previous visa expired.
To extend your UK visa, you typically need to apply online through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website. You'll need to complete the appropriate application form, pay the required fees, and provide the necessary supporting documents.
In most cases, you can continue working or studying while your visa extension application is being processed, as long as you submitted the application before your previous visa expired. However, it's important to check the specific conditions and limitations of your visa category.
It's generally advisable not to travel outside the UK while your visa extension is pending, as it may impact the processing of your application. If you need to travel urgently, it's best to seek advice from an immigration lawyer.
Most UK visa extension applications for work, study and family visas are currently being processed within 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK. However, you may be eligible to use the 'super priority service' or 'priority service' to get a faster decision depending on the type of application.
Applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
If your visa extension application is refused, you may have the right to appeal the decision or apply for an administrative review. The refusal letter should outline the available options and the deadline for taking action. If the application is rejected, you may be required to leave the UK immediately. Seeking advice from an immigration lawyer is recommended in such cases.
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