Eligibility
To qualify for an extension of your Skilled Worker visa or Tier 2 (General), you must fulfill specific criteria:
- Remain in the same job as initially approved for your UK entry.
- Continue working under the same occupation code, which can be verified on the GOV.UK website.
- Stay with the employer who provided your current certificate of sponsorship.
Requirements and Application Process
If changing jobs or employers, you must update your skilled worker visa accordingly.
Wages requirements vary based on when you obtained your visa:
- For visas obtained before 24 November 2016 and extended before May 2023, earnings must meet a minimum of £20,800 annually.
- For visas obtained after 24 November 2016 and extended before 1 December 2026, earnings must be at least £26,200 per year or meet the appropriate hourly rate for the job, ensuring compliance with minimum wage regulations.
Support and Assistance
Our team is ready to assist you with:
- Checking your occupation code and required wage rates for your skilled worker visa application.
- Ensuring your family’s visas align with yours to avoid discrepancies in validity dates.
Application Process Details
- Submit your skilled worker visa application up to three months before your employment start date.
- Provide necessary documents and identification during the application process.
- Attend appointments if requested after submitting your application.
- Expect a decision within three weeks if applying from outside the UK or up to eight weeks if applying from within.
- Fast-track options are available for expedited processing, albeit with an additional fee.
We strongly recommend applying within the three-month window to avoid any risk of visa expiration in the UK, which could adversely impact your application outcome. If you have any further questions regarding the extension of your skilled worker visa, please contact us.
