Family Visa Extension UK

If you hold a family visa in the UK, you can apply to extend your stay with your family member for an additional 2.5 years before your current visa expires.

To successfully apply for a UK family visa extension, you must continue meeting the eligibility criteria relevant to your family visa type.

Need legal assistance with your UK family visa extension application? Speak to our immigration solicitors at 0208 616 5535 or complete our enquiry form.

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What is the UK Family Visa Extension?

The UK family visa extension permits holders of a family visa to extend their stay for a further 2.5 years, enabling them to continue living legally in the UK.

The extension of a UK family visa typically applies to those living with a family member who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK.

Common Types of UK Family Visa Extension Applications

Here are the common types of UK family visa extension applications, each with specific eligibility criteria based on the type of family relationship.

Family visa extension applications:

• Spouse Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)
• Spouse Visa Extension (Under 10-Year Route)
• Unmarried Partner Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)
• Unmarried Partner Visa Extension (Under 10-Year Route)
• Civil Partner Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)
• Same-Sex Partner Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)
• Parent of a British Child Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)
• Parent of a British Child Visa Extension (Under 10-Year Route)
• Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa Extension
• Child Visa Extension (Under 5-Year Route)

Who is Eligible for a UK Family Visa Extension?

If you hold a family visa in the UK, like a spouse or parent visa, you can extend it. You must continue to meet all Appendix FM requirements to extend your visa under the 5-year route.

If you don't satisfy all the Appendix FM criteria, you might be eligible to switch from the 5-year family visa route to the 10-year route.

What is the UK Family Visa Extension Under the 5-Year Route?

Under the UK family visa 5-year route, a family visa is generally granted for 33 months if applied from outside the UK or 30 months if applied from within the UK.

Before your current family visa under the 5-year route expires, you must extend it for another 2.5 years to continue living and working in the UK.

Once you've lived for five continuous years in the UK on a family visa under the 5-year route, you could be eligible to apply for ILR to settle in the UK.

What is the UK Family Visa Extension Under the 10-Year Route?

In case you still don't meet the Appendix FM requirements for the 5-year route, you can apply for a family visa extension under the 10-year route.

If you initially applied for a UK family visa under the 10-year route and later meet the requirements for the 5-year route, you can switch from the 10-year route to the 5-year route.

This allows you to accelerate your path to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR) in the UK.

When Should You Apply for a Family Visa Extension?

You must apply for your UK family visa extension before your current visa expires, ideally 28 days in advance to avoid any issues with your immigration status.

Key Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension

The requirements for a UK family visa extension generally include:

• Must hold a current, valid family visa.
• No overstaying or immigration breaches.
• Must still meet the relationship requirements.
• Meet the income threshold, currently £29,000 annually.
• Prove your knowledge of English (A2 CEFR level) unless exempt.
• Must have adequate accommodation in the UK.
• Show you can support yourself without public funds.
• Prove cohabitation if applying as a partner.
• Must not have violated UK immigration laws.
• Additional requirements depending on the type of family visa application and your circumstances.

Relationship Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension

You must continue to meet the relationship requirements that were necessary for your initial visa. These requirements vary depending on the type of family visa you hold.

Spouse/Partner Visa

You must remain married to, or in a genuine relationship with, your UK partner, who must be a UK citizen or have settled status.

Parent Visa

You must be joining a child who is a British citizen or has settled status, and you must have parental responsibility for the child.

Child Visa

You must be under 18, or if over 18, you must have previously been granted a family visa as a child and still be dependent on your parent(s) in the UK.

Income Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension

To extend your UK family visa, you and your sponsor must meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year which may vary depending on your circumstances.

Both you and your sponsor must provide financial evidence, such as payslips, bank statements, and tax returns, to demonstrate that you meet this requirement.

Only the following income sources will be considered:

• Employment or self-employment income
• Pension from the applicant and/or partner
• Maternity allowances or bereavement benefits received by the UK-based partner
• Any other income or savings declared by the applicant and/or UK sponsor

You can also meet the Spouse Visa financial requirement through cash savings if you or your sponsor have at least £88,500 in a bank account.

English Language Requirement for UK Family Visa Extension

When applying for a UK family visa extension, you need to show proficiency in English, unless you're exempt. You must pass at least level A2 on the CEFR scale.

You can meet this requirement by:

• Passing an approved English language test.
• Holding an academic qualification taught in English from a recognized institution.
• Being from a country where English is the primary language.

Living Together Requirement for UK Family Visa Extension

If you are applying for a UK family visa extension as a partner, you must prove that you live together in the UK. Acceptable evidence includes:

• Joint utility bills
• Tenancy agreements
• Bank statements showing both names
• Other documents confirming cohabitation

These documents must demonstrate that you and your partner share a genuine, continuous living arrangement.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement for UK Family Visa Extension

As a requirement of your UK family visa, you are required to provide proof of accommodation that complies with UK living standards during your stay.

The UK government requires that your accommodation meets certain minimum standards. These include:

• Safe and habitable living space.
• A separate bedroom for the couple.
• Access to necessary facilities (toilet, bathroom, kitchen).
• A location that is safe and suitable for residence.

Required Documents for Extending a UK Family Visa

You will generally need to provide:

• Valid passport or travel documents
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), if issued
• Proof of relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificates)
• Financial evidence to meet the income requirement
• Proof of adequate accommodation in the UK
• Proof of English language proficiency (unless exempt)
• Completed visa application form
• Details of any criminal convictions
• Additional documents based on your visa type and personal circumstances

UK Family Visa Extension Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)

The key steps to follow when applying for a UK family visa extension are as follows:

Step 1: Assess Eligibility

Before starting the application, ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for extending your family visa. Eligibility criteria depend on the family visa type and your relationship with the UK sponsor, including a genuine relationship, financial stability, and English proficiency.

Step 2: Collect Required Documents

Gather all the documents needed to support your family visa extension application. These may include your passport, relationship evidence, bank statements, payslips, and documents demonstrating English language proficiency.

Step 3: Complete the Online Application Form

You must apply only through the official UK government website to extend or renew your family visa from inside the UK.

Submit the online form to extend your family visa, ensuring every field is filled out correctly and upload all the supporting documents to avoid any delays in processing.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Once the application form is complete, proceed to pay the applicable application fee. The fee for extending a family visa from inside the UK is currently £1,258 per person.

Step 5: Schedule a Biometric Appointment

Book your biometric appointment at the nearest UKVCAS centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). You will need to attend the appointment in person.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

Once you have submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment (if required), you will need to wait for a decision on your visa application. Processing times may vary, but it is recommended to allow at least eight weeks for a decision.

How Long Does It Take for a Family Visa Extension in the UK?

An application to extend a family visa from within the UK should generally be processed within 8 weeks. It includes all family visa applications such as a spouse visa, partner visa, child visa, parent visa, and adult dependent relative visa.

If you apply from within the UK but do not meet the financial or English language requirements, the decision process can take approximately 12 months.

By paying an additional fee, you can use the 'Priority Service' for your visa application to get a faster decision within 5 working days.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Start Early: Apply at least 28 days before your visa expires.
• Ensure Accuracy: Double-check all your documents and application forms.
• Seek Professional Advice: If unsure, get help from a legal or immigration specialist.

Cost of Extending a UK Family Visa

The fee for extending your family visa is £1,258. You also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £2,587.50 for adults extending for 2.5 years.

Extra costs may apply for priority services.

How Long Is the UK Family Visa Valid For?

UK family visa is initially valid for 30 months if the application is made inside the UK, and 33 months if submitted from outside the UK.

After this period, you can apply to extend your family visa for an additional 30 months to continue living and working in the UK.

How Vanguard Solicitors Can Assist You

Immigration solicitors can provide valuable legal assistance with family visa applications in several ways:

Get Legal Help from Experienced UK Family Visa Solicitors

Contact our family visa solicitors in Harrow, London on 0208 616 5535 or fill in our contact form for expert guidance on your UK family visa extension application.