A Skilled Worker visa can be issued for up to 5 years. If you wish to reside in the UK for a period beyond this duration then you would have to apply for a skilled worker visa extension well before your current visa reaches its expiration.
There are certain additional requirements for this process in comparison to when you would have first gone through the skilled worker visa application. We at Student Ports are here to help you understand these procedures in detail so you will be prepared for the time you are willing to spend in the UK.
In this article down below, we explain in detail, the ins and outs of the skilled worker visa extension guidelines and application procedures.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension: Requisites & Requirements
You can apply for a skilled worker visa extension only if you match all the requisites given down below:
- You must hold the same occupation as you had first applied for the skilled worker visa with the same sponsorship.
- Your employer must match the same occupation code with which you were granted the skilled worker visa.
- Your existing Certificate of Sponsorship has to be issued from the same employer who granted you the skilled worker visa when you first applied.
- Your employer must still have a valid license from the Home Office to issue sponsorship for a skilled worker visa.
The salary criteria for extending your Skilled Worker visa may vary based on when your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued:
- If the certificate for your existing Skilled Worker visa was issued before 4 April 2024, you will need to meet the minimum salary requisite of £29,000 or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher in value.
- If the certificate for your existing Skilled Worker visa was issued after 4 April 2024, you will need to meet the new minimum salary requirement of £38,700 per year or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher in value.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension: Renewal Application Process
In order to apply for the extension of your skilled worker visa, we at Student Ports will help you with applying for the same online and also help you with the application process step by step.
Let us help you with a brief explanation of what steps are constituted in the skilled worker visa extension procedure.
- Apply for a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your current employer for an extended sponsorship.
- Prepare your online application form with our experts.
- Pay the necessary fees such as the application fee and the immigration health surcharge fee.
- Submit the documents required by the UK Visas and Immigration(UKVI) in support of your request for an extension.
- Update your biometrics in the UKVI database using the UKVI “UK Immigration: ID Check” app. There is also an offline approach which you could use and involves booking an appointment in person to provide updated biometric identification at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) Service Point.
- Depending on your current circumstance, you may also be asked to attend an interview hosted by the UKVI before your request is approved.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension: Processing Time & Fees
Once you have fully submitted the online application for the skilled worker visa extension along with the updated biometrics and supporting legal documents, you can expect to get a response back within 6-8 weeks.
Some important things to remember are:
- The standard processing time remains 6 to 8 weeks.
- There are factors which could delay a response.
- You will be notified by the UKVI if your application is delayed with specified reasoning.
- You are allowed to send a request for extension up to 60 days before your existing visa expires.
There are also processing fees available to aid your application to be handled and decided on a priority basis. In the table down below, find out the processing fees for a skilled worker visa extension.
Processing Fees
| Applications submitted in the UK | Fees |
| Your CoS has been issued for 3 years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants | £827 |
| Your CoS has been issued for over 3 years – just you as an individual or with dependants | £1,500 |
| Your CoS has been issued for three years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications issued until 3rd July 2024 with a CoS that was issued before 4th April 2024 | £551 |
| You hold a job on the Immigration Salary List where your CoS has been issued for three years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications made with a CoS that was issued on or after 4th April 2024 | £551 |
| Your CoS has been issued for over three years – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications made until 3rd July 2024 with a CoS that was issued before 4 April 2024 | £1,084 |
| You hold a job on the Immigration Salary List where your CoS has been issued for over three years – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications Issued with a CoS issued on or after 4th April 2024 | £1,084 |
| Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for 3 years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants | £284 |
| Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for over 3 years – just you as an individual or with dependants | £551 |
| You hold a shortage occupation – Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for 3 years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications issued until 3rd July 2024 with a CoS issued before 4th April 2024 | £284 |
| You hold a job on the Immigration Salary List– Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for 3 years or less – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications issued on or after 4th April 2024 | £284 |
| You hold a shortage occupation – Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for over 3 years – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications issued until 3rd July 2024 with a CoS issued before 4th April 2024 | £551 |
| You hold a job on the Immigration Salary List– Your visa comes under Health and Care category – where your CoS has been issued for over 3 years – just you as an individual or with dependants – for the applications issued on or after 4th April 2024 | £551 |
In addition to the application fees mentioned above, you will also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year you want to reside or extend your visa for. It varies from time to time so it is important to check all the details before proceeding with your application for a skilled worker visa extension.
There may also be an additional fee while updating your biometrics. It depends on which method you choose, as explained above.
Skilled Worker Visa Extension: Dependants
If you have applied for a skilled worker visa with dependants and you require to extend the worker visas for your family or dependants then we will explain and help you understand the requirements needed to do the same.
The dependants will need to apply for a skilled worker visa extension separately. They can also choose to apply at the same time you apply for an extension. This also includes the visa renewal of children who may have turned 18 while residing in the UK under dependent sponsorship.
The dependants can apply online using your skilled worker visa extension application number under the Global Web Form(GWF) or Unique Application Number(UAN) which can be found on any responses from the UKVI.
They will also need to submit proof of identity by the same way you would be applying for an extension. They will need to attend appointments scheduled by the UKVI to support their request for a skilled worker visa extension.
Indefinite Leave To Remain
If you qualify as an eligible skilled worker visa holder, then you will also be eligible to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. An ILR will grant you the right to reside and work in the UK without any time limitations which for the skilled worker visa normally is 5 years at a time. However, it isn’t necessarily mandatory for the visa to be a skilled worker visa. You are also welcome to apply for an ILR under the Tier 2 or General Category.
For an ILR application, it is essential you hold a continuous residence in the UK, Knowledge of Life in the UK, and meet the salary criterias placed for the application.
Contact Us
We at Student ports are a team of experienced consultants ready to help you in your journey if you wish to apply for a skilled worker visa extension. We will help you every step of the way with whatever queries you may have.
If you wish to speak to a consultant on our team to gain more legal advice on how to proceed, then feel free to contact us by filling the feedback form on our website. You can also email us at info@studentports.com.
You can also book a slot for a meeting with our Student Support Team if you are a student looking for advice on UK immigration.
In partnership with Holmes & Partners Ltd, a leading solicitor firm with OISC Registration: F202000183.