If your UK Visa is about to expire, there are options available for certain traveller categories to extend the visa while in the UK.

You may be able to extend your stay in the UK, if you have been issued a UK Standard Visitor Visa for six (6) months and is about to expire. In order to do so, you must submit a new UK visa application while you’re still in the UK and your current visa expires.

If you’re applying for a UK visa extension inside the UK, you can lawfully stay in the country while your UK visa is processing and will come into effect for up to a further six (6) months, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you’re applying for a UK visa extension outside the UK I.e. in your home country, you have a choice to apply for a longer UK Standard Visitor Visa that lasts for up to 12 months. With a 12-months UK visa, you can stay in the UK until the expiry of the visa, as long as, you applied for the visa well in advance of your trip.

Who is eligible for UK Visa extension?

UK Visa extensions are only permitted for:

Medical reasons – You are in the UK to receive medical treatment at a hospital or medical facility or have to undergo treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as, the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement or you want to donate an organ to a family member or close friend – this includes being examined for suitability as a donor match. You have a choice to apply for a longer Standard Visitor Visa in advance or travel to the UK with a six (6) months UK visa and extend your stay once in the UK. If you wish to apply for a longer Standard Visitor Visa before your visit to the UK, the visa is issued for up to 11 months and costs £190. There is no limit on the number of extensions allowed for a medical patient. You can extend your stay, as long as, you meet the below eligibility requirements:

  • Have paid for the treatment you’ve already had in the UK and there are no pending dues.
  • Can afford all the further costs of your treatment.

Academic, Senior Doctor or Dentist – You have a choice to apply for a longer Standard Visitor Visa in advance or travel to the UK on a six (6) months visa and extend your stay once in the UK. If you wish to apply for a longer Standard Visitor Visa before your visit to the UK, the visa is issued for up to 12 months and costs £190. If you’re already in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay for up to six (6) months. In totality, you can only stay for up to 12 months in the UK. In order to apply for a visa extension while in the UK, you should be able to prove that:

  • You are highly qualified in your field of expertise, for example you have a PhD or higher or were working in that field of expertise at an academic institution overseas prior to your arrival in the UK and are not filling a permanent teaching post.
  • As an academic, you must also prove that you’re in the UK to undertake research or a formal exchange.  
  • As a senior doctor or dentist (not an academic), you must prove that you’re visiting the UK to teach or to undertake a research, clinical practice or a formal exchange.

Graduate – If you’re already in the UK and need to stay longer to retake the PLAB test, you can apply to extend your stay for up to six (6) months. You need to provide written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you’re retaking the test. Moreover, if you pass the PLAB test, you can apply to stay longer to do an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. You must provide written confirmation of your clinical attachment offer and you’ve should not have done a clinical attachment in the UK before. You will be allowed to stay in the UK for up to 18 months.

Find out how to get a UK Visa from India

How does the UK Visa extension work?

Documents required for UK Visa extension:

  • For receiving private treatment, a formal letter from your doctor or consultant confirming the medical condition, estimated cost, place and likely duration of the treatment.
  • In the case of treatment at an NHS hospital, an authorisation form from your Government taking responsibility of the treatment costs.
  • For donating organ, a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a General Medical Council registered specialist or a registered NHS consultant confirming you as a donor match to the recipient, the relationship with the recipient (has to be a close relative) and the place where the transplant will take place.

UK Visa Fee for Extension:

UK Visa Extension Fee: £993 + Additional £19.20 for biometrics information.

Super Priority Service : Additional £800 (over and above the visa extension and biometrics fee)

Application Process for UK Visa Extension:

You are required to complete the application form online for extending your stay in the UK. Here you must submit all the necessary information, upload your documents and pay the visa fee online.

As part of the application process, you are also required to visit the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point in the UK to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photo). You’ll need to create a UKVCAS account to book an appointment online.

At the time of appointment, carry your passport, a printed copy of your appointment confirmation document with a QR code, a supporting documents checklist and other supporting documents (unless you’ve already uploaded them online). Accompanying family members (including children) must attend the appointment together.

UK Visa Extension Processing Time:

The decision for UK visa extension will depend upon the type of visa applied for. You can expect a decision within eight (8) weeks of submitting your documents. If you have opted for a Super Priority Service, a decision will be made within two (2) working days after your UKVCAS appointment.

While your UK visa extension is being processed, you are not permitted to travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. In the event, you do so, your application will be immediately withdrawn.

If you want to extend your visa outside the UK, please visit Akbartravels.com to understand the application process. Our Visa Experts will guide you at every step of your visa application process.

Read more about UK Visas:

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