Yes, you can extend a UK Standard Visitor Visa if you meet certain eligibility requirements. You can extend your stay for a maximum of 6 months, but you must apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility requirements
In order to be eligible to extend your visa, you must already be on a valid UK Standard Visitor Visa, you must not have been in the UK for any longer than 6 months in the past year, you must be able to show you have strong ties to you home country you can do this by presenting information such as a job, property, or family in you home country. Finally you must be able to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your time in the UK.
How long can I extend my UK Standard Visitor Visa?
You are able to extend your visa up to a total of 6 months, a standard visitor visa only allows for a maximum of 6 months stay in the UK over any period of 12 months. You can extend past 6 months if you are: a patient receiving medical treatment, an academic who has met all eligibility criteria or a graduate who is retaking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or doing a clinical attachment.
If you are a patient you can apply to stay for a further 6 months if you: have paid for any treatment you’ve already had in the UK, can and will pay the further costs of your treatment and you continue to meet the medical treatment eligibility requirements. There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay for medical reasons as long as you are receiving treatment, however you can only extend in 6 month blocks and must pay the extension fee each time.
How much does it cost to extend my UK Standard Visitor Visa?
It will cost £1000 to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor with an additional £800 if you use the priority service. You will also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
How to apply?
You can apply to extend your UK Standard Visitor Visa online
To apply online, you will need to:
- Create an account on the UK Visas and Immigration website
- Complete the online application form
- Upload supporting documents, such as your passport, travel itinerary, and financial evidence.
Once submitted the UK Standard Visitor Visa extension will typically 8 weeks to be approved or denied. However, it can take longer during busy periods, there is a premium fast track option for an additional £800.
For assistance with this process, you can submit an application via our secure online form.
What happens next?
If your application is successful, you will be granted a new visa that will allow you to stay in the UK for the requested period. Your new visa will be stamped in your passport. If your application is unsuccessful you will be notified by email or letter. You will have the right to appeal the decision.
People also asked
What happens if I stay more than 6 months inside UK?
If you stay in the UK for more than 6 months on a Standard Visitor Visa, you will be considered an overstayer. This means that you will be breaking the terms of your visa and could be deported. You could also be banned from entering the UK for a period of time.
Can I convert my visitor visa to work visa in UK?
No. Unfortunately, you cannot switch from a Visitor Visa to any other visa in the UK.
Can I marry in UK on visitor visa?
The Immigration Rules state that someone who enters the UK as a visitor must not intend to marry, form a civil partnership or give notice to marry or form a civil partnership, unless they have entered in a specific Marriage Visitor category.
Can I apply for a job while on a visitor visa UK?
A visitor visa is a short stay visa that allows you to engage in recreational activities in the UK and does not permit you to work.
