Skilled Worker Visa Extension
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
A UK Skilled Worker visa holder can further extend or renew a visa before it expires if the applicant still meets the requirements set in the Immigration Rules.
In other words, you may be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension if you are still working in the same job role as when you were given your previous permission.
Our highly experienced immigration solicitors provide legal advice and help with all types of UK work visas including Skilled Worker visa applications, an extension of a Skilled Worker visa, PBS Dependant visa for the partner and children of the Skilled Worker visa holder, ILR as a Skilled Worker and more.
To get legal advice and help with the extension or renewal of your UK Skilled Worker visa, get in touch with our highly experienced UK immigration solicitor today.
Table of Contents
- How early can you apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension?
- Requirements for Skilled Worker visa extension
- Skilled Worker visa minimum salary requirement from 4 April 2024
- Documents required for a Skilled Worker visa extension
- UK Skilled Worker visa processing time
- How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
- Solicitors for Skilled Worker visa extension
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
How early can you apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension?
As a Skilled Worker visa holder, you must apply for an extension before the expiry date. You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension 60 days before the expiry of your current visa.
By renewing your Skilled Worker visa as early as possible, you will be able to continue working for your UK sponsoring employer. At Wembley Solicitors, we can manage the Skilled Worker visa extension application process on your behalf, allowing you to relax in the knowledge that your application has the very best possible chance of a positive outcome.
Once your Skilled Worker visa application is approved, you will be able to:
- continue to live, work for your existing sponsor, and study in the UK
- continue to travel freely into and out of the UK
- continue to sponsor your eligible dependant family members to live with you in the UK
- apply for permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR) after 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa
It is important to note that if you have already spent 5 continuous years living in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you may be already eligible for UK settlement.
Requirements for Skilled Worker visa extension
You can apply to extend your UK Skilled Worker visa if you meet the eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker. After the completion of 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Skilled Worker visa holders must meet all the following requirements if they want to further extend or renew their Skilled Worker visa:
- you have the same job role;
- your job role has the same occupation code;
- you still want to continue working for the same employer.
Your family members (partner and children) will need to make separate applications to extend their visas. They can apply for PBS dependant visa at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Skilled Worker visa minimum salary requirement from 4 April 2024
According to the new UK immigration rules, the minimum salary requirement of a UK Skilled Worker visa is increased to £38,700 per year from 4 April 2024.
To be eligible for the UK Skilled Worker visa, you must earn at least £38,700 or the relevant 'going rate' for the role, whichever is higher. Note that Health and Care Worker applicants must meet a lower salary threshold of £29,000.
Contact our immigration solicitors on 0203 417 3700 or complete our online enquiry form for UK skilled worker visa eligibility assessment.
If you got your certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024
You can still apply for a Skilled Worker visa under old rules if you got your certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024.
There are lower salary requirements if either:
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for this visa application before 4 April 2024
- you got your certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 or Skilled Worker visa before 4 April 2024 and have continually held one or more Skilled Worker visas since then
You can be paid whichever is higher of £29,000 or the lower going rate for your occupation if you make an application to:
- apply to this visa
- extend your visa
- update your visa
- change ('switch') to this visa
Documents required for a Skilled Worker visa extension
When you apply for the extension of UK Skilled Worker visa, you'll need to provide the following documents in support of your work visa application:
- Your valid current passport or other travel document confirming your id and nationality
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number (ask your employer)
- The name of the employer and their sponsorship licence number
- Proof of knowledge of English
- Your job title and annual salary
- Your job's occupation code
You may need to provide additional supporting documents depending on your circumstances.
Book an appointment with our work visa solicitor in London for your Skilled Worker visa eligibility assessment and to get a comprehensive UK Skilled Worker visa document checklist.
UK Skilled Worker visa processing time
In 2024, Skilled Worker visa applications from inside the UK are taking 11 weeks on average. Home Office UKVI is working hard to process Skilled Worker visa applications to get back to the 8-week service standard.
Visa application using super priority service
You may be eligible to apply for a visa using the "Super Priority Service" to get a faster decision by the end of the next working day (within 24 hours). You'll need to pay the "Super Priority Service" fee in addition to the visa application fee.
Visa application using priority service
You can choose the "Priority Service" when you apply for a visa to get a faster decision within 5 working days. You'll need to pay the "Priority Service" fee in addition to the visa application fee.
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost?
The cost of a UK visa application varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, your location and the type of service such as 'standard service', or 'priority service'.
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
Solicitors for Skilled Worker visa extension
Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with your UK Skilled Worker visa extension application.
Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:
- Provide detailed immigration advice.
- Assess your circumstances and eligibility for a UK visa application.
- Explain the entire UK visa application process.
- Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
- Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
- Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letter for the Home Office UKVI about the Immigration Rules.
- Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
- Upload all the supporting documents.
- Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
- Keep you updated with every stage of your visa or immigration application.
Contact our immigration solicitors in Wembley, London on 020 3417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A skilled worker visa can last up to 5 years before you renew it. After 5 years, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
You'll need to apply to extend or update your visa when a Skilled Worker visa expires or if you change jobs or employers.
You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa extension as many times as you like if you still meet the eligibility requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker.
Yes, you can switch to different a job role with your current employer. You do not need to make a change of employment application if your new job has the same SOC code as your current job.
You can change your job or employer whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. You will need to submit a change of employment application. You can continue working in your current job while your new application is pending with the Home Office.
Yes, you are allowed to study in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. There are no limitations to the number of hours spent studying as long as this does not interfere with your ability to do your job.
Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
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Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters.
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