If you recently have a UK Visa, it’s very necessary to know that not all visas can be renewed or extended. Here are visas that cannot be renewed: youth mobility visa, the start up visa and Uk graduate visa.
In addition, if you have a visa that is closed to fresh applicants (example the uk investor visa) you can go on and extend it , if you you meet up with the requirements.
If you realize the visa cannot be renewed, then you should switch to a different type of visa.
Example, you can consider applying for skilled worker visa if you have a graduate visa that’s due to extend but you must have a work offer from an approved employer.
When can you apply for a UK visa extension?
Before your recent visa is due, you have to apply for your UK visa. This can also be tagged as further leave to remain application. According to the UK visa expiry rules, it states that your visa application should and must be received by UK visas and immigration before your recent visa expires.
When you don’t adhere to do this , the home office will treat you as an overstayer. An overstayer is someone who is living in the UK unlawfully.
As, such you have breached the immigration law of leaving the UK before your visa expires.
The earlier you apply for the visa depends on the kind of visa you hold. For instance, if you have a skilled worker visa, you are advices to apply up to 60 days to when your visa will expire.
If you hold a student visa the earliest you can apply is 30 days before it expires. As such, it’s important to check the laws that covers your exact type visa.
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Read Also: Insider Secrets on How to Secure Your UK Student Visa in 2023/24!
How to renew your visa in the UK
To renew your Visa in the UK, you must complete the following procedures ( remember that the exact process, fees and forms depends on the kind of visa that you have)
- Make sure that the arrangements is complete before applying. For instance, if you are holding a work visa, you will be required to get a new sponsorship certificate showing your new duration of stay.
- Finish the online UK visa renewal application form ( the form you will need only depends on the kind of visa you have).
- Payment of any fees. You have to ensure to pay any fees which includes the UK visa extension fee and health surcharges.
- Make sure to book and go for the appointment at the nearest UKVCAS closer to you in other to have your identity assessed and biometrics.
- Provide the documents asked by UKVI to support your application. Example. Certificate of sponsorship, letter showing that you have an ongoing business endorsement etc.
Can you apply to extend your UK visa after its expiry?
If you see yourself in a situation which you forgot to submit your visa extension in time , it might be possible in a limited situation to apply when your visa is due.
If you have a sufficient reason, you may be allowed to renew your UK visa within 14 days of its expiration under the ‘14-day good reason rule’.
You must show the reason that prohibited you from applying in time. You may be receiving emergency medical treatment in a hospital or a loved one died.
Within 14 days of your visa’s expiration date, you must give compelling evidence of why you missed the deadline, such as a doctor’s note detailing the circumstances and your hospital admittance dates.
UKVI will likely reject your application if you say you forgot or were too busy.
What if your visa extension is refused?
Uk Visa extension maybe denied because of lots of reasons, which includes
- You don’t have the required eligibility criteria
- You lack the suitable criteria
- Your application was not valid- in the sense that you applied late, not complete or you are yet to pay the necessary fees.
No matter the cause for your visa renewal refusal, you may have various options, including:
- Submitting a new application
- You can apply for another type of visa
- Appealing – this option is only available in very limited cases where your human rights, protection or humanitarian rights are affected.
- Apply for administrative review if UKVI made a mistake in rejecting your visa extension application.
- You should apply for judicial review if the rejection was unlawful.
Conclusion
If your application for a visa renewal has been denied, you should see an immigration lawyer for professional legal counsel to make sure you fully understand your options and the best course of action for your situation.
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