A UK Skilled Worker Visa is valid for up to 5 years, you are able to extend a UK Skilled Worker Visa up to that limit. You are not able to extend a UK Skilled Worker Visa for any longer than 5 years.
How to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa extension
To apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa extension, you must:
- Be employed by the same sponsor who gave you your original visa.
- Be in a job that is on the UK government’s list of eligible occupations.
- Meet the salary requirement.
- Meet the English language requirement.
You can usually apply for an extension up to 6 months before your current visa expires.
To apply, you will need to:
- Create an account on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
- Fill out the online application form.
- Provide supporting documentation, such as your passport, job offer, and proof of English language proficiency.
- Pay the application fee.
The application fee for extending a UK Skilled Worker Visa is £625.
You will usually receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks.
Staying past 5 years
While you aren’t able to extend a Skilled Worker Visa you are able to apply to renew your Skilled Worker Visa, if you already have a sponsor and you are continuing to work for them the process will be exactly the same as when you first applied. You also can apply for your renewal from the UK while you still continue to work on your current Skilled Worker Visa. It is important to apply before your current Skilled Worker Visa expires as if your Visa expires and you haven’t submitted an application you will be required to leave the UK.
If you have been in the UK for the full 5 years of a Skilled Worker Visa you may also be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which is a permanent right to live and work in the UK.
Who is eligible to extend a Skilled Worker Visa?
Anyone who currently has a Skilled Worker Visa is able to apply for either an extension or renewal of their Skilled Worker Visa. If the applicant is still working in the role for their sponsor that they applied for their Skilled Worker Visa with, then they are completely eligible and in most case the extension/renewal will be approved.
How long does it take for an extension decision to be reached?
The processing time for a Skilled Worker Visa extension is usually 8 weeks. However, it is important to note that this is just an average processing time and the actual processing time may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the number of applications that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is receiving and the complexity of the application.
Can my request for extension be denied?
You can be denied when asking for an extension, however if you are still working for the job listed on your Skilled Worker Visa and you haven’t taken the full 5 years it is very unlikely that you will be denied an extension.
People also asked
How long do I need to have lived in the UK to apply for permanent residence?
You must have lived in the UK for 5 years in order to apply for permanent residence.
Can I extend a Health and Care Worker Visa?
Yes, all the information about extending a Skilled Worker Visa applies to Health and Care Worker Visas.
Can I extend a Standard Visitor Visa?
You are able to extend a Standard Visitor Visa up to 6 months.
