Extending your stay
Do I need a visa?
This section explains how you can apply to extend your temporary permission to stay in the United Kingdom (we call this temporary leave to remain). To apply for permanent residence (we call this indefinite leave to remain), you should see the section on settlement.
If you have temporary permission to stay in the United Kingdom, it may be possible for you to extend this and stay longer. However, if you came here as a visitor, you will be allowed to stay for a maximum of six months. You will not be allowed to extend your visa beyond six months or to apply for a new visitor visa. In some circumstances, you may be able to transfer to a different category of visa. You should see the appropriate category for more information.
After you have lived in the United Kingdom for five years, you may be able to apply to live here permanently, depending on the category of visa you have. The settlement section gives more information about this.
To apply for an extension to your visa, you will need to complete an application form. Before you do this, you should ensure you meet any requirements to be allowed to extend your stay. These will vary according to the category of visa you have. You should see the appropriate category for more information.
If you wish to apply to extend your visa, you must do so before your existing visa expires.
Application forms for the following are available in the Working in the UK section:
- work permit employment;
- Worker Registration Scheme (WRS);
- Tier 1 (General) of the Points-Based System (PBS);
- Bulgarian and Romanian citizens;
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme (SAWS);
- employment under the Sectors Based Scheme; and
- approved training or work experience (TWES).
You can make a single payment to cover up to 25 postal applications by using form postal multiple payments, which you can download from the right side of this page. If you use this form, you do not need to to complete the payment details in the individual forms for which you are paying. There is no need to use this form if you are making a single payment for a number of premium-applications when you apply in person at one of our public enquiry offices. Personal cheques must have a valid cheque guarantee card that covers the full amount you are paying.
For information on which application form you will need to complete, see Application types.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is my immigration status while my application is being decided?
If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.
Application forms
Pay for multiple applications
- Postal multiple payments formPDF 43K opens in a new window
See also
News & updates
- Additional changes to application process for application forms for students and marriages to include dependants
- Changes to application process affecting application forms for students and marriages
- Revised application forms and guidance notes now available - FLR(M) and FLR(S)
- National identity scheme delivery plan published
Terms explained
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Indefinite leave to remain
Indefinite leave to remain (often known as ILR) is permission to stay permanently (settle) in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.
Contact
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Visa services
0845 010 5555
Visa services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH. If you are outside the United Kingdom you should contact you nearest British diplomatic post.