Skilled Worker Visa Extension Advice for UK Workers and Employers
If your Skilled Worker visa is due to expire, you may need to apply for an extension before your current permission ends.
A Skilled Worker extension must be prepared carefully. The Home Office will consider your sponsorship, Certificate of Sponsorship, salary, occupation code, job role, sponsor licence status and immigration history.
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Who Needs a Skilled Worker Visa Extension?
A Skilled Worker extension is usually needed where the worker will continue employment in the UK and needs further permission before their current visa expires.
Same Employer Extension
You may extend with the same sponsor if you continue to meet the Skilled Worker requirements.
Role or Salary Changes
Changes to job title, duties, salary, hours or work location should be checked before applying.
Dependants Extending
Partners and children may also need to extend their dependant visas at the same time or separately.
Main Skilled Worker Extension Requirements
Valid Sponsor Licence
The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and be authorised to sponsor Skilled Workers.
New Certificate of Sponsorship
A fresh CoS is usually required for the extension application, even where the worker remains with the same employer.
Eligible Occupation Code
The role must fall within an eligible occupation code and accurately reflect the worker’s actual duties.
Salary Requirement
The salary must meet the relevant Skilled Worker threshold and going rate applicable to the role.
Genuine Employment
The job must be genuine, and the worker must continue to carry out the sponsored role.
Suitability
Previous immigration issues, overstaying, criminality or breaches should be reviewed before applying.
Documents for a Skilled Worker Extension
The evidence required depends on the worker’s role, salary, employer, sponsor licence status, dependants and immigration history.
Certificate of Sponsorship
The CoS must contain accurate information about the role, salary, working hours, occupation code and sponsor.
Passport and Status Evidence
Current passport, BRP or eVisa evidence and current immigration status details.
Employment Evidence
Employment contract, job description, payslips or employer letter where useful.
Salary Evidence
Evidence may be needed to confirm salary, hours and compliance with the relevant threshold.
Dependant Documents
Marriage certificates, birth certificates, relationship evidence and dependant financial evidence where required.
Immigration History
Previous visas, refusals, travel history or status issues may need to be reviewed.
Check the CoS Before Submitting
Many Skilled Worker problems arise from errors in the Certificate of Sponsorship. The CoS should be checked before the visa application is submitted.
- Check the occupation code.
- Check job title and duties.
- Check salary and hours.
- Check work location and hybrid working details.
- Check sponsor licence details.
- Check whether the role has changed since the previous grant.
Common Skilled Worker Extension Problems
Wrong SOC Code
The occupation code may not match the worker’s actual duties or required skill level.
Salary Below Threshold
The salary may not meet the correct general threshold, going rate or hourly requirement.
Role Has Changed
Promotion, new duties, different work location or changed hours may affect sponsorship.
Late Application
Submitting after visa expiry can create overstaying and may affect future settlement.
Sponsor Compliance Issues
Sponsor licence problems can affect the worker’s ability to extend.
Dependant Timing Issues
Family members may have different expiry dates and require careful planning.
Extension and ILR Planning
A Skilled Worker extension should be considered alongside long-term settlement planning. Salary, absences, employment continuity and sponsorship history may later affect ILR.
Track the Five-Year Period
Workers should monitor when they may become eligible for ILR under the Skilled Worker route.
Keep Employment Evidence
Payslips, contracts, employer letters and absence records may assist future settlement.
Plan Dependant Timelines
Dependants may have separate qualifying periods and extension requirements.
How NMILS Can Help
Extension Eligibility Review
We check whether the worker meets the Skilled Worker extension requirements.
CoS Review
We review the Certificate of Sponsorship before the visa application is submitted.
Salary Assessment
We assess salary, hours, going rate and Skilled Worker threshold issues.
Dependant Applications
We assist partners and children extending as Skilled Worker dependants.
Employer Support
We advise employers on sponsor duties, CoS assignment and compliance risks.
Application Checking
If the application is already prepared, we can review it before submission.
Related Skilled Worker Pages
Skilled Worker Visa
Full Skilled Worker visa advice covering CoS, sponsorship, salary and switching.
Skilled Worker Dependants
Advice for partners and children of Skilled Worker visa holders.
Skilled Worker Document Checklist
Documents for Skilled Worker applicants, extensions and dependants.
Skilled Worker Visa Refusal
Advice where a Skilled Worker application has been refused.
Sponsor Licence
Advice for employers sponsoring Skilled Workers.
Application Checking Service
Have your extension application reviewed before submission.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my Skilled Worker visa?
You may be able to extend if you continue to meet the Skilled Worker requirements and have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
Do I need a new CoS for a Skilled Worker extension?
Usually, yes. A fresh Certificate of Sponsorship is normally needed for an extension application.
Can my dependants extend with me?
Partners and children may be able to extend as dependants if the requirements are met.
What if my role or salary has changed?
Changes to duties, salary, hours or work location should be reviewed before applying because they may affect sponsorship.
Can NMILS check my Skilled Worker extension?
Yes. NM Immigration Lawyers can review your CoS, salary, documents and dependant evidence before submission.
Need to Extend Your Skilled Worker Visa?
NM Immigration Lawyers can advise on Skilled Worker extensions, CoS accuracy, salary requirements, dependant applications and refusal risks.
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