If your Skilled Worker visa is approaching its expiry date, you may be wondering how to extend your permission to stay and work in the UK. The good news is that extending your status is usually straightforward, provided you still have sponsorship from your employer and meet the current salary and eligibility requirements. Applicants must apply online for a Skilled Worker visa extension using the official government portal.
The Skilled Worker visa is a temporary status, while Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provides permanent settlement rights. This guide explains exactly how to extend Skilled Worker visa permission under the recent rules in force, including the April 2024 salary changes and July 2025 transitional provisions. Whether you need to extend for another year or several more, we will walk you through each step of the process. Most Skilled Worker visa holders opt to apply for UK settlement (ILR) after 5 years in the UK rather than make successive extension applications.
ILR is usually preferred after 5 years by those who meet the settlement requirements, including a 5-year continuous residence requirement, and ILR offers permanent residence, eliminating future visa costs and restrictions.
Overview: How to Extend Skilled Worker Visa in 2026
Skilled Worker visas are time-limited. Most are granted for between one and five years, depending on the length of your employment contract and what your sponsor requested on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Once that period ends, you must extend your skilled worker visa permission before your current visa expires—or risk overstaying and damaging your future immigration prospects. To extend your skilled worker visa, you must have an eligible job and a valid certificate (Certificate of Sponsorship or CoS) from an approved employer.
What does extending mean? When you extend skilled worker visa, you are applying for further permission to remain in the UK in the same job role with the same employer. This is different from applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is a permanent settlement application available after five continuous years on qualifying routes. Extensions require a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which depends on your sponsor’s willingness to continue employment and meet salary thresholds.
Our team at Axis Solicitors regularly helps overseas nationals extend skilled worker visas and secure indefinite leave to remain once they qualify. We understand that immigration rules can feel overwhelming, which is why we focus on making the process as clear and stress-free as possible.
This article focuses on the rules and Home Office guidance to extend skilled worker visa currently in force, including:
- The April 2024 salary threshold increases
- Transitional salary provisions for workers who held visas before April 2024
- Updated Immigration Health Surcharge rates
- Document and evidence requirements for 2026 applications
Reassuringly, extending your skilled worker visa follows a smooth process if you still have valid sponsorship, your salary meets the minimum threshold, and you apply in good time. The employer must still hold a valid sponsor licence and be on the Home Office list of approved sponsors.
How Long Is a Skilled Worker Visa Valid and When Should You Extend?
When you first obtained your UK Skilled Worker visa, the Home Office granted permission for a set period based on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The maximum grant at any one time is five years, but many workers receive shorter periods depending on their employment contract.
Common Visa Grant Scenarios
Understanding when you need to extend skilled worker visa depends on the length of your original permission:
- 3-year grants: Common for permanent contracts where sponsors request three years initially. You will need to extend after year three to continue working legally.
- 5-year grants: Some sponsors request the full five years. If you are approaching this expiry and have not yet applied for ILR, you must either extend skilled worker visa leave or make a settlement application.
- Shorter grants (1–2 years): Often issued for fixed-term contracts or roles where the sponsor requested a limited period. You may need multiple extensions before reaching ILR eligibility.
When to Submit Your Extension Application
Timing is critical when you apply to extend Skilled Worker visa status. Here are the key rules:
- You can apply up to three months before your new CoS start date (which should be the day after your current visa expires)
- Your application must be submitted before your existing visa expires—there is no grace period for in-country extensions
- The application must also be made within three months of your employer assigning the new CoS
Both time limits must be respected in order to extend skilled worker visa. For example, if your current visa expires on 30 December 2025, your new CoS start date should be 31 December 2025, and you can apply from 1 October 2025 onwards.
The Consequences of Overstaying
Overstaying your visa, even by a single day, can have serious consequences:
- Your application may be refused on general grounds
- You may face a future immigration ban
- Your continuous residence clock for ILR could reset
- Future applications for British citizenship may be affected
We strongly advise you to diarise your visa expiry date and start conversations with your sponsoring employer and legal adviser at least three to six months before you need to extend Skilled Worker visa permission. This allows time to gather documents, correct any CoS errors, and avoid last-minute stress.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Extend Skilled Worker Visa Leave?
Before you apply, you must confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements under the Immigration Rules. When applying for a visa extension, you must provide your job title, annual salary, and occupation code. This section provides a concise checklist of what the Home Office expects from applicants who want to extend Skilled Worker visa status in 2024–2025.
- You must be working in the same SOC code (Standard Occupational Classification code) as your previous grant.
- The shortage occupation list can affect your eligibility and the requirements for extension.
- The minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker visa extension is generally £41,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.
Core Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an skilled worker visa extension, you must demonstrate that:
- Same employer: You remain employed by the same UK employer who holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsor licence
- Same job role: Your job title and duties have not substantially changed
- Same occupation code: You are working in the same Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code as your previous grant
If you want to change jobs, move to a new employer, or take a role with a different occupation code, you must submit a separate “change of employment” application—not a straightforward extension.
Sponsor Licence Requirements
Your employer’s licence status is crucial to extend skilled worker visa.
- The licensed sponsor must be a UK-based employer holding a valid sponsor licence on the date they assign your new CoS
- The licence must still be valid when the Home Office makes its decision
- If your sponsor’s licence is revoked or suspended, your extension application will fail
Salary Requirements
The salary threshold is one of the most common areas where applications to extend skilled worker visa fail. As of April 2024, most skilled worker applicants must meet:
- The general minimum salary threshold (currently £38,700 for most roles, or higher for certain occupations)
- The going rate for the specific occupation code, whichever is higher
Some workers benefit from transitional salary rules if they first obtained a Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) visa before 4 April 2024. Under these provisions, the previous lower thresholds may still apply until July 2025 or beyond, depending on your circumstances.
Health and care roles listed on the Immigration Salary List often have separate, lower thresholds. However, even care worker visa holders must meet the appropriate salary for their role.
Other Requirements
You must also demonstrate that:
- You have not breached your immigration conditions (such as working additional hours beyond permitted limits)
- You do not fall for refusal on general grounds (for example, unspent criminal convictions)
- You continue to meet the English language proficiency requirement already satisfied at your initial visa stage
Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
This section provides a step-by-step process for applicants inside the UK who need to extend Skilled Worker visa permission. The skilled worker visa renewal process involves meeting eligibility criteria, preparing the required documents, and submitting your application according to Home Office guidelines. Following these steps carefully will help you avoid common errors.
The processing time for a Skilled Worker visa extension application is usually around eight weeks, but it can take longer in some cases.
Step 1: Obtain a New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your employer must assign a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship through the Home Office Sponsor Management System. This document confirms:
- Your job title and duties
- The correct SOC code for your occupation
- Your salary (which must meet the minimum salary requirement)
- The contract length and CoS end date
The CoS reference number is essential—you cannot complete your online application to extend skilled worker visa without it. Your sponsor can assign the CoS up to three months before your current visa expires, and it remains valid for assignment for three months from creation.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all required evidence before starting your online form to extend skilled worker visa. Typical documents include:
- Identity document: a valid passport or travel document is required for the Skilled Worker visa extension application, with at least one blank page
- Current Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa share code
- New CoS reference number from your employer
- Recent payslips (usually the last three to six months)
- Employment contract showing salary and job title
- Bank statements if maintenance funds evidence is required
- For dependants: marriage certificates, birth certificates, identity documents, and evidence of genuine relationship
Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.
Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form
Access the Skilled Worker “extend or update visa” form on GOV.UK. You will need to answer questions about:
- Your personal details and immigration history
- Your current and previous employment
- Your salary and job duties
- Any criminal convictions or cautions
- Your travel history and absences from the UK
Take your time and answer accurately. Incorrect information—even honest mistakes—can lead to visa refusal.
Step 4: Pay Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge
At the end of the online form, you must pay the application fee and Immigration Healthcare Surcharge. Current fee ranges to extend skilled worker visa include:
| Fee Type | Approximate Cost (2024–2025) |
| Extension up to 3 years | £827 – £1,000+ |
| Extension over 3 years | £1,500+ |
| Reduced rate (Immigration Salary List roles) | Lower fees apply |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (adult) | £1,035 per year |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (child) | £776 per year |
The health surcharge is multiplied by the number of years you are requesting. For example, a three-year extension for an adult would incur a surcharge of approximately £3,105.
Step 5: Prove Identity and Provide Biometrics
After submitting your form to extend skilled worker visa, you must verify your identity. There are two options:
- UKVCAS appointment: Attend an appointment centre to enrol fingerprints and have your photograph taken (fee around £19.20 plus any enhanced service charges)
- UK Immigration: ID Check app: If eligible, use the smartphone app to scan your biometric passport and submit a photo from home
Not everyone qualifies for the app—check your confirmation email for available options.
Step 6: Wait for the Decision
Standard processing time for extend Skilled Worker visa applications is approximately eight weeks from your biometric appointment or identity verification. Faster options include:
- Priority service: Decision within five working days (additional fee)
- Super priority service: Decision by the next working day (additional fee, limited availability)
Important: Do not travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) while your application to extend skilled worker visa is pending. Leaving will cause your application to be treated as withdrawn.
Priority Service: Faster Processing for Skilled Worker Visa Extensions
For many skilled worker visa holders, timing is everything, especially if your current visa expires soon, you have urgent travel plans, or your employer needs you to start work without delay. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) offers a Priority Service specifically designed to speed up the skilled worker visa extension process, giving you a decision much faster than the standard route.
Documents Checklist to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
Having the right documents ready before you start your application can prevent delays and refusals. This checklist covers what most applicants need for the extension application.
Main Applicant Documents
You’ll require the following documents to extend skilled worker visa in the UK.
- Valid passport: Must be current and have at least one blank page
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or share code: Proof of your current immigration status
- New Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference: The unique number assigned by your employer
- Employment contract: Showing your job title, salary, and working hours
- Recent payslips: Usually the last three to six months, demonstrating you have been paid the required salary
- Bank statements: If maintenance is not certified by your sponsor, you may need to show at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (this is rare for established workers but may apply to some dependants)
- Evidence of continuous residence: Important if you are close to qualifying for indefinite leave to remain
Dependant Documents
If your family members are extending alongside you, they will need:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate (for spouses/partners)
- Evidence of two years living together (for unmarried partners)
- Birth certificates (for children)
- Proof of genuine and ongoing relationship
- Their own valid passport and current BRP or share code
Additional Considerations to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
- Tier 2 (General) holders: If you originally held a Tier 2 visa before the Skilled Worker route launched, ensure you can demonstrate continuity of lawful employment
- Translations: Any document not in English or Welsh must have a certified translation
- Electronic uploads: Most evidence is uploaded through the online portal—do not send original documents by post unless specifically requested
Costs and Processing Time to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
Understanding the visa fees and timelines helps you plan your application and budget accordingly. Note that fees change regularly, so always check the latest figures on GOV.UK before you apply to extend Skilled Worker visa status.
Application Fees to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
The Home Office charges different amounts depending on the length of your extension and whether your role appears on the Immigration Salary List:
| Extension Length | Standard Fee | Reduced Fee (Salary List Roles) |
| Up to 3 years | £827 – £1,000+ | Lower rate applies |
| Over 3 years | £1,500+ | Lower rate applies |
Exact figures depend on your specific circumstances and may change during 2025.
Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) grants access to NHS services during your stay. Current rates are:
- Adults: £1,035 per year of visa requested
- Children under 18: £776 per year
For example, if you extend for three years, you will pay approximately £3,105 as an adult or £2,328 per child.
Processing Times
| Service Level | Typical Timeframe | Additional Fee |
| Standard | Up to 8 weeks from biometrics | None |
| Priority | 5 working days | Yes |
| Super Priority | Next working day | Yes (limited availability) |
You may continue working while your extension application is pending, provided you applied before your existing visa expires.
What Can Cause Delays?
Complex cases may take longer than the standard eight weeks. Common reasons for delays include:
- Criminal records or cautions requiring additional checks
- Doubts about whether the role is genuine
- Salary or job code discrepancies on the CoS
- Missing or unclear documents
If your current visa expires soon and you need urgent assistance, particularly in Manchester and surrounding areas, contact Axis Solicitors immediately. We can help prioritise your application and explore priority service options.
Dependants: How Family Members Extend Skilled Worker Visa Leave
Your partner and children do not automatically receive extended permission when you extend your own visa. Each dependant must submit their own application to maintain lawful status in the UK.
Timing Your Family’s Applications
Dependants can apply for skilled worker dependent visa extension at the same time as the main skilled worker visa holder, which is usually the most convenient option or separately, at any point before their own visas expire. Applying together ensures everyone’s visa end dates align, making future renewals and ILR applications simpler to manage.
Who Counts as a Dependant?
The following family members can extend as your dependants:
- Spouse or civil partner: Legally married or in a civil partnership
- Unmarried partner: With at least two years of evidence of living together in a relationship similar to marriage
- Children under 18: Including stepchildren and adopted children who live with you
Children who turn 18 while in the UK may continue as dependants in some circumstances, but the rules are complex. Seek legal advice if this applies to your family.
Care Worker and Senior Care Worker Restrictions
Following changes in March 2024, skilled migrant worker visa holders in care worker and senior care worker roles often cannot bring new dependants when they extend Skilled Worker visa permission. If you work in health and social care, tailored legal advice is essential before making any application.
Dependant Fees and Requirements
Each dependant must:
- Pay a separate application fee
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the extension period
- Provide biometric information at UKVCAS or via the ID Check app
- Submit evidence of their relationship to you and their residence in the UK
The dependant’s new visa will usually expire on the same date as the main visa holder’s permission.
What Happens After You Extend Skilled Worker Visa?
Once the Home Office approves your application to extend Skilled Worker visa permission, you will receive confirmation of your new status. This may be an updated Biometric Residence Permit (while BRPs remain in circulation) or a digital status accessible through your online immigration account.
Your New Permission
Your extension grants you the right to continue working for the same employer in the same job role until the new expiry date. However, you must continue working for the same licensed sponsor and your job title and SOC code should remain the same. If anything changes, you may need a new application
Changing Employer or Role
If you wish to change employer or move into a role with a different occupation code, you cannot simply extend Skilled Worker visa leave. Instead, you must submit a change of employment application with a new CoS from your prospective employer.
This is a separate process with its own requirements. The new employer must hold a valid sponsor licence, and the role must meet all skilled worker eligibility criteria.
The Pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain
Most Skilled Worker visa holders aim for permanent settlement. The key requirements for indefinite leave to remain include:
- Five continuous years on the Skilled Worker route (including time on Tier 2 General if applicable)
- Limited absences from the UK (generally no more than 180 days per year)
- Valid sponsorship throughout the qualifying period
- Salary meeting the ILR threshold (currently higher than standard extension thresholds)
- Passing the Life in the UK Test
- Meeting the English language proficiency requirement at B1 level or above
Some workers need an additional extension before they qualify for ILR—for example, if they do not yet meet the salary requirements or have too many absences. In these cases, extending your skilled worker visa is often the safer route while you address any gaps.
No Maximum Time Limit
There is currently no strict maximum number of years you can remain on the Skilled Worker route. You can extend indefinitely, provided you continue to meet the requirements. However, most people will apply for ILR as soon as they qualify, as settlement provides greater security and flexibility.
Planning Your Next Steps
If you are approaching the five-year mark, contact Axis Solicitors to review whether it is better to extend Skilled Worker visa leave again or proceed directly to ILR. Axis Solicitors can provide a full strategy, from your first extension through to ILR and eventually citizenship, for individuals and employers across Manchester and the wider UK.
Common Problems When You Extend Skilled Worker Visa
Many refusals and delays arise from avoidable issues when people try to extend Skilled Worker visa permission without proper preparation or legal support. Understanding these pitfalls can help you avoid them.
Frequent Problems We See
The most common issues happen when you extend skilled worker visa include:
- CoS errors: Wrong SOC code, incorrect salary, mismatched job title, or dates that do not align with the visa expiry
- Sponsor licence problems: The employer’s licence has lapsed, been suspended, or is under Home Office investigation
- Salary underpayment: The actual pay does not meet the going rate for the occupation or the minimum salary threshold
- Employment gaps: Breaks in sponsored employment that were not properly authorised
- Missing dependant documents: Incomplete evidence of relationship or residence for family members
Other Risk Areas
Beyond the common errors, watch out for:
- Late applications: Submitting after your existing visa expires, which removes important protections
- Incorrect answers: Errors regarding travel history, criminal cautions, or previous visa applications
- Confusing “extend” with “switch”: Applying to extend when you are actually changing jobs or employers (which requires a different application type)
- Urgent travel plans: Leaving the UK while the application is pending, causing automatic withdrawal
Get Expert Legal Help to Extend Skilled Worker Visa
Our immigration team supports clients at every stage of the skilled worker visa process. We offer remote appointments by phone or video, as well as face-to-face meetings in Manchester, London and Birmingham. This means clients across the UK can access expert advice on how to extend Skilled Worker visa status without travelling far.
Whether you are extending for the first time, adding dependants, or planning for ILR, Axis Solicitors are here to help. Our friendly team understands the stress that immigration applications can cause, and we work hard to make the process as smooth as possible.
Request a Consultation to discuss your Skilled Worker extension, dependant applications, or settlement options and take the next step towards securing your future in the UK.
This article provides general information about extending Skilled Worker visas and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. For advice tailored to your situation, please contact Axis Solicitors directly.
