UK Visit Visa Extension | Standard Visitors

UK Visit Visa also known as Standard Visitor's can be extended in the UK and our UK Immigration Lawyers can advise & how to prepare your application to be successfully granted. Many individuals enter the United Kingdom-based upon a 6 months visit visa, and prior to their visa expiry, you would like to stay in the United Kingdom longer. There can be grounds for you to remain, or apply for an extension, however, this will depend upon certain circumstances. 

Speak to our UK Immigration Lawyers Visit Visa team who can advise and support on your UK Visit Visa extension application. You can call us on 0207 237 3388 or you can complete our visa assessment form, clicking here to complete this. 

The requirements to meet for the extension of a UK Visit Visa can be found here, click to read more on the requirements of the UK Visit Visa. 

General requirements to extend your UK Visit Visa

You may be able to extend your visa as long as the total time you spend in the UK is less than 6 months - eg if you apply for a 3-month visa, you can apply to extend it for 3 more months. You should apply before your current visa expires to avoid becoming an overstayer.

If you’re receiving private medical treatment in the UK
You can apply to extend your visa 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;

• continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

You must also get a medical practitioner or NHS consultant who’s registered in the UK to provide:

• proof of arrangements for your private medical consultation or treatment; 

• a letter saying how long your treatment is likely to take;

• details of the progress of your treatment, if it’s already started.

Eligibility
You must apply while you’re still in the UK and should do so, before the visa is to expire.

How to extend your visa
The application process has now changed and you will need to apply through the new online services. 

Fees
The visa fees to extend your visitors visa depends on the services you have chosen, which may include choosing the 24 hour priority visa service. 

How long it takes
A decision will be made:

• within 8 weeks for a standard visa decision;

• usually within 24 hours if you have chosen a priority visa service. 

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, eg:

• if your supporting documents need to be verified;

• if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction).

• Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

Frequently asked questions on the UK Visit Visa

Can I extend my visit visa?

As a general rule, you will not be able to extend your UK visit visa in-country unless you were granted a visit visa of fewer than six months. In which case you can extend your visit visa in the UK to reach the maximum six months. Under a UK visitor visa you will be able to stay in the UK for a maximum period of 6 months, although you may get a visit visa that lasts for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years if you need to make repeat visits to the UK.

Even with one of the longer visas, each individual visit to the UK must not last longer than the maximum 6 month period. Under the UK visit visa you will need to leave after 6 months and then re-apply in your country of origin if you need extra time for your visit, but it is not possible to extend your visit visa whilst still in the UK. If you are looking to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months, we would suggest that you take legal advice on this and can speak to a member of our team on 0207 237 3388. 

I am here as a visitor, can I apply to stay here with my spouse/partner?

If your spouse is an EU national or a native of Switzerland, then you can apply to stay in the UK with your spouse/partner, although there are requirements that will need to be met in order for you to do so. Following the changes being implemented by Brexit, you must take legal advice by speaking to one of our UK Immigration Lawyers to ensure you do not become an overstayer in the UK. 

If your partner or spouse is from outside the EU or (Switzerland), you may be able to apply from the UK, however we recommend that you take legal advice from us, so that we can discuss your options. Submitting an application without fully understanding the requirements and the impact to you especially, to your future travels to the UK are sometimes overlooked. For further information on the requirements needed to apply, or if your spouse/partner is living in the UK on a visa from outside of the EU then speak to one of our UK Immigration Lawyers who will be able to advise you on the best option to suit your situation.