Skilled Worker Visa Extension In UK

The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route for foreign skilled workers who want to live and work in the UK. It was formerly known as the Tier 2 General visa until the introduction of the point-based immigration system.

This visa is usually issued for up to five years. Overseas workers who want to continue living and working in the UK beyond the initial five years must apply for a Skilled Worker visa renewal before their current visa expires. Just like the initial visa application, you must prove that you continue to meet the requirements for the Skilled Worker visa to be eligible for an extension.

Page Contents

• Extending a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK
• Eligibility Criteria For the UK Skilled Worker Visa Extension
• How to Extend a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?
• Cost of Skilled Worker Visa Extension in UK
• Skilled Worker Visa Extension Processing Timeline
• Extending A Skilled Worker Visa When You Change Employers
• Renewing UK Skilled Worker Visa For Dependants
• What Happens After You Apply For a Skilled Worker Visa Extension
• How Many Times Can You Extend Your Skilled Worker Visa
• Applying For Indefinite Leave to Remain From Skilled Worker Visa
• How Total Law Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for a Skilled Worker visa extension in the UK. You must:

• Have the same job as when you were issued your initial permission to live and work in the UK.
• Your job must be in the same occupation code as when you were issued your initial Skilled Worker visa.
• You must be working for the same employer who assigned your current certificate of sponsorship.
• Your employer must still have a valid sponsorship licence.

You will also have to meet the same requirements that qualified you for the initial visa. You must:

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Meet the minimum salary requirement for your role.
• Provide evidence of sufficient maintenance funds.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• You will also need to provide supporting documents as you did when you initially applied for the visa.

You do not need proof of sufficient funds if you’ve lived in the UK for up to 12 months before your extension application.

To extend a Skilled Worker visa, you must apply for an extension from within the UK before your existing visa expires. You can apply by completing and submitting the online application form along with your supporting documentation on the gov.uk website. You can submit your extension application up to 60 days before your current Skilled Worker visa expires.

However, the first step to extending your Skilled Worker visa is having your UK sponsor renew your contract. Once your employer agrees to extend your contract, they’ll issue you a new Certificate of Sponsorship with which you’ll apply for the extension.

You’ll also have to provide relevant documentation to prove your identity. You may need to visit a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services service point to provide your biometric information (photograph and fingerprints) and obtain a biometric residence permit. Or you could scan your identity documents using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. You’ll be told what to do when you apply.

Once you submit a Skilled Worker visa application, you can only travel within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man once it is processed. If you travel abroad before receiving a decision, your application will be withdrawn.

The cost of extending your Skilled Worker visa depends on your unique circumstances. Here is a breakdown of the fees for different situations.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) typically processes Skilled Worker visa extension applications within 8 weeks. However, it may take longer in certain circumstances if:

• Your supporting documents need to be verified.
• You’re required to attend an interview.
• There are other personal circumstances, for example, if you have a criminal conviction.

The UKVI will notify you if there’s a need for further information or evidence after you’ve submitted your application.

If you’re pressed for time and need the extension processed urgently, you can get a faster decision by using UKVI’s priority service. By paying an additional £500, you can get a decision on your application within 5 working days. You can also opt for the super-priority service where you will pay an additional £1000 to get a decision within 1 working day.

You can’t apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension if you change jobs or start working for a new employer. You have to apply for a visa update instead. Specifically, you’ll need to update your Skilled Worker visa if:

• You move from a job that’s on the immigration salary list to one that’s not on the list.
• Your job changes into a different occupation code.
• You change sponsor.
• You take a second job that’s more than 20 hours a week.

You don’t need to apply for an update if you stay on the same job, but the job is taken off the shortage occupation list.

To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa update, your new job must meet the Skilled Worker visa requirements, and you must receive a certificate of sponsorship from your new sponsoring employer.

You can apply for a visa update by completing the online application form on the gov.uk website and submit the necessary supporting documents. You can make your application up to 3 months before you resume your new job and can continue working for your old employer while your visa update application is being processed.

Your partner’s and children’s skilled worker dependent visas do not automatically renew with yours. Their visa will usually expire at the same time as yours, and they’ll have to apply separately to extend their visas. If they do not apply for an extension, their visas will remain valid until the original expiry date.

They can apply for a renewal when you are applying for yours or anytime before their existing visa expires. However, we recommend that they apply on time to avoid the risks of losing their current immigration status. They can apply online on the gov.uk website using your Skilled Worker visa extension application number.

Your partner and children may also have to attend a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS service point or scan their identity documents using the online ID Checker app. Just as the primary applicant, they cannot travel outside the UK until they receive a decision from UKVI.

After submitting your Skilled Worker Visa extension application, you have to wait for UKVI’s decision, which usually takes about eight weeks. You’ll get an email or letter containing the decision on your application and any other required steps.

If you need to change something on your application after submitting it, you can contact UKVI. You can also ask to cancel your visa application if necessary. However, UKVI will only refund your application fees if they’ve not started processing your application.

There is no limit on how many times a Skilled Worker visa holder can extend their visa. They can extend their visas as many times as they like, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements and do not breach their visa terms.

However, most skilled worker visa holders prefer to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of residence in the UK instead of making successive extension applications. An ILR makes you a UK permanent resident, giving you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely.

In addition to unlimited extension allowance, the Skilled Worker visa route offers a direct path to UK settlement for those who want to make the UK their permanent home. Skilled worker visa holders and their dependent family members who have resided in the UK under this route for up to five years can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

An ILR grants you UK permanent residency, which gives you the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely without restrictions. However, you must meet specific requirements in addition to the five-year residency to qualify for an ILR. You must:

• Not have violated UK immigration rules during your stay.
• Prove you have sufficient knowledge of English.
• Pass the Life in the UK test.
• Not have any criminal convictions.

You can qualify for British citizenship by naturalization after holding an ILR for 12 months.