~Skilled Worker Visa · Extension
Skilled Worker Visa Extension
UK Skilled Worker Visa extensions require a completely fresh reassessment of your role, salary, and Certificate of Sponsorship under current Home Office rules rather than your original application criteria. Furthermore, there is no maximum limit on how many times you can extend your visa and no overall 6-year cap, allowing you to maintain your stay as long as you meet eligibility requirements.
Your salary is checked against the current £41,700 general threshold (or the going rate for your occupation, if higher) — not what applied at your original grant. The pay-period compliance rule introduced 8 April 2026 also applies at extension: your salary needs to have actually landed correctly in every pay period, not just averaged annually.
What has to still be true.
Same employer, same role — or a new CoS
Staying with your current sponsor in the same job is the simplest path. A different occupation code, or a job that's come off the Immigration Salary List, may need an "update" application instead.
Changed employer entirely
Moving to a new sponsor isn't an extension — it needs a fresh Skilled Worker application with a new Certificate of Sponsorship.
Fresh Certificate of Sponsorship
A new CoS is required for every extension, issued by your employer through the Sponsor Management System.
English requirement
If you already provided satisfactory English evidence in a previous successful application, you generally don't need to prove it again — worth confirming for your specific case.
What extending costs.
Figures current from the 8 April 2026 fee schedule, for an in-country application.
| SITUATION | APPLICATION FEE |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Sponsorship issued for 3 years or less | £943 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship issued for more than 3 years | £1,865 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 / year |
| Priority service (decision in 5 working days) | +£500 |
| Super priority service (decision by next working day) | +£1,000 |
These are the personal application costs. Your employer separately covers the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525) and the Immigration Skills Charge for the new sponsorship period.
-- Eligibility
What has to be true.
Job at RQF Level 3+
The role must sit at the required skill level, confirmed against its specific occupation code.
Licensed sponsor
Your employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship.
English at B2
Raised from B1 for new applicants from 8 January 2026 — check which level applies to your application date.
Genuine vacancy
The role must be genuine and the salary offer must reflect what's actually being paid, checked pay period by pay period.
-- Documents
What you'll need to provide.
New Certificate of Sponsorship
Issued by your employer for the extended period.
Passport or current eVisa
Your current immigration status, confirmed digitally.
Recent payslips and bank statements
Showing your actual earnings meet the current threshold in each pay period, not just on average.
Employment contract
Confirming your role, salary and occupation code.
--Our Process
Four steps, start to finish.
Threshold check
We confirm your current role and salary clear today's threshold, not the one from your original grant.
New CoS coordinated
We work with your employer to get a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship issued correctly.
Application submitted
Submitted before your current visa expires, which keeps you working lawfully under Section 3C leave while it's decided.
Decision and next steps
We explain your continued timeline towards settlement once granted.
~Contact Us
--Questions
Frequently asked.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION | ANSWER & DETAILS |
|---|---|
Do UK businesses still need to renew their Sponsor Licence for a UK Skilled Worker Visa? |
In most cases, no. As of April 2024, the Home Office removed routine 4-year sponsor licence renewals. Licences due to expire on or after this date were automatically extended by 10 years, making it simpler for employers to sponsor candidates under the UK Skilled Worker Visa route. You can view official updates on GOV.UK. |
How early can I apply for a Skilled Worker Visa extension? |
You can apply up to 3 months before your current visa expires. It is strongly recommended to apply before your existing visa end date to ensure continuous legal right to work under Section 3C leave while your application is processed. |
Is there a maximum limit or 6-year cap on how many times I can extend? |
No, there is no maximum time limit or cap on the total number of extensions you can apply for, provided you continue to meet all current salary thresholds and eligibility criteria set by the Home Office. |
Do I need a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to extend my visa? |
Yes, every extension requires a fresh, defined or undefined CoS issued by your licensed sponsor through the Sponsor Management System (SMS) before you submit your online application. |
Will my salary requirement be based on my original visa rules or current rules? |
Your application will be assessed against the current salary rules in force today (or applicable transitional rates if qualified), not the original threshold from when your first visa was granted. |
Can I stay in the UK and continue working while waiting for a decision? |
Yes, as long as you submit a valid extension application before your current visa expires, your status and right to work are automatically protected under Section 3C leave until a final decision is made. |