If you need help with any type of UK visa, settlement (ILR), or British citizenship application, give us a call at 0203 959 7755 to schedule a consultation today.

Need to extend your UK family visa? Find out the requirements, step-by-step process, costs involved, and documents needed for a successful application.

Whether you're married to a UK citizen, joining a parent or partner, or reuniting with a family member, you must extend your family visa before it expires to continue living and working in the UK legally.

For legal advice and assistance with your UK family visa extension application, call our immigration solicitors at 0203 959 7755 or fill in our enquiry form.

Table of Contents

What is the UK Family Visa extension

A UK family visa extension allows individuals who are already in the UK on a family visa to extend their stay for another 2.5 years. This is typically for those who are living with a family member who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK.

You must extend your family visa before it expires to continue living and working in the UK legally.

Types of Family Visas

Before diving into the extension process, it's important to understand the types of family visas that may require extensions:

  1. Spouse/Partner Visa: For those married to or in a civil partnership with a UK citizen or a person with settled status.
  2. Parent Visa: For parents joining their child who is a UK citizen or has settled status.
  3. Child Visa: For children joining their parent(s) in the UK.
  4. Fiancé(e) or Proposed Civil Partner Visa: For individuals who plan to marry or enter a civil partnership in the UK.

Who is Eligible to Apply for a UK Family Visa Extension?

If you're in the UK on a family visa, like a spouse or parent visa, you can extend it. You must keep meeting all Appendix FM requirements to extend your family visa under the 5-year route.

If you don't meet all Appendix FM requirements, you can switch to a UK family visa 10-year route.

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

UK family visa under the 5-year route, a UK family visa is typically granted for 33 months (if applied from outside the UK) or 30 months (if applied from within the UK).

After initially obtaining a family visa under the 5-year route, individuals typically need to extend their family visa for a further 2.5 years to continue living and working in the UK.

After completing five continuous years on a UK family visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to settle in the UK permanently.

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

UK family visa under the 10-year route offers a viable option for applicants who do not meet all the requirements of Appendix FM of the immigration rules.

UK Family visa (10-year route) for those who don't meet the financial, language, or other conditions. It lets applicants stay in the UK for 10 years before applying for ILR.

You can extend your family visa as many times as needed until you reach 10 years of continuous residence. After that, you will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Types of UK Family Visas Extension Applications

When Should I Apply for a Family Visa Extension?

You should apply for your UK Family visa extension before your current visa expires, ideally at least 28 days before the expiration date. Applying too late may affect your immigration status in the UK.

Requirements for Extending a UK Family Visa

To successfully extend your family visa under the 5-year route, you must meet several requirements. You must:

  • hold a valid UK family visa.
  • not have overstayed your visa.
  • continue to meet the relationship criteria.
  • meet the minimum income threshold.
  • prove your English proficiency unless you're exempt.
  • meet adequate accommodation requirements.
  • not have breached any immigration laws while in the UK.

You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.

Relationship Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension

You must continue to meet the relationship criteria upon which your original visa was granted. This varies depending on the type of family visa you hold:

  • Spouse/Partner Visa: You must be 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 you are over 18, you must have received a family visa as a child and depend on your parent(s) in the UK.

Income Requirements for UK Family Visa Extension

You and your sponsoring family member must meet a minimum income threshold to prove you can support yourself without needing public funds.

The required minimum income is £29,000 gross per year for applicants with no dependent children.

This minimum income requirement for all UK family visas rose from £18,600 to £29,000 on 11 April 2024. The amount varies depending on whether you have children or not.

English Language Requirement for UK Family Visa Extension

When applying for a UK family visa extension, you need to show you can speak and understand English at a certain level. This is unless you're exempt because of your age, nationality, or other reasons.

You must pass at least level A2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale for your UK family visa extension application.

To meet this, you can:

  • Pass an approved English language test.
  • Have an academic qualification taught in English from a recognised country.
  • Be from a country where English is the main 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 you live together in the UK. You can show this with:

  • Joint utility bills.
  • Tenancy agreements.
  • Bank statements with both names.
  • Other evidence of living together.

Adequate Accommodation Requirement for UK Family Visa Extension

When applying for an extension of your family visa, it is important to meet the adequate accommodation requirements set by the UK government.

Having suitable accommodation is crucial to ensure the success of your family visa extension application.

The UK government requires that the accommodation you provide for your partner meets certain minimum standards. These standards are in place to ensure that the accommodation is safe, habitable, and suitable for the couple. Some of the key requirements are:

  • The property must be free from any hazards or serious health and safety issues.
  • There should be adequate living space for the couple to reside comfortably.
  • The property must have a separate bedroom for the couple.
  • Access to a toilet, bathroom, and kitchen facilities should be available.
  • The accommodation should be located in an area that is safe and suitable for residency.

Documents Required for a Successful UK Family Visa Extension

To ensure a successful family visa extension application, you'll need to provide various documents, including:

  • Your current, valid passport or travel document.
  • Any previous passports used during your stay in the UK.
  • The passport or ID of your UK-based partner or family member (if applicable).
  • Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) - If you have been issued.
  • Proof of Relationship (marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.).
  • Financial Documents (payslips, bank statements, tax returns).
  • English Language Test Results or Proof of Exemption.
  • Proof of Accommodation (tenancy agreements, utility bills).
  • Proof of Residency (joint bills, official letters).

Remember, the document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required based on your personal circumstances. Properly preparing your documentation is key to the success of your application. Contact us today to get a comprehensive list of supporting documents.

Step-by-Step Process to Extend Your UK Family Visa

1. Check Your Eligibility

Before you apply, make sure you meet the criteria. This includes your relationship and financial situation.

2. Complete the Online Application

You must apply online to extend your UK family visa before it expires. You'll need to fill out forms on the UK government website. Choose the right visa type and provide all the necessary details.

3. Submit Supporting Documents

After submitting your family visa extension application, upload all the supporting documents. These prove you're eligible for the extension.

4. Pay the Fees

The fee for extending a UK family visa is £1,258. You also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). For each adult (18 or older) it costs £2,587.50 if you're extending for another 2 years and 6 months (2.5 years).

5. Book a Biometric Appointment

You'll need to go to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre for biometrics. Your fingerprints and photo will be taken there.

6. Wait for the Decision

After attending your biometric appointment, wait for a decision on your family visa extension application.

It usually takes 8-12 weeks to get a decision on your family visa extension. Faster services are available for an extra fee.

Processing Time for UK Family Visa Extensions

The usual time to process a family visa extension is 8 weeks. You can choose faster services for a fee. The priority service takes 5 working days, and the super-priority service takes the next working day.

Tips for a Successful Application

  • Start Early: Apply for your extension at least 28 days before your visa ends.
  • Ensure Accuracy: Check all your documents and the application form carefully.
  • Seek Professional Advice: If unsure, get legal advice or talk to our immigration specialist.

How Much Does It Cost to Extend a UK Family Visa?

The fee for a UK family visa extension application is £1,258 per person. There's also an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year for adults. Extra costs may apply if you use priority services to get a faster decision.

How Moeen & Co. Solicitors Can Assist You

Navigating the UK visa application process can be complex and stressful, especially if English is not your first language or if you are unfamiliar with UK immigration laws. Hiring an immigration solicitor provides peace of mind, knowing that you have professional support to guide you through every step of the process.

Here are some ways in which our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors can assist:

  • Legal Expertise: Our immigration solicitors have in-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws, policies, and procedures. We can assess your eligibility for different types of visas, advise you on the most suitable visa option, and ensure that your application complies with all relevant legal requirements.
  • Consultation and Advice: If you are uncertain about the visa type that best suits your needs or require guidance on the application process, we offer consultations to answer your questions.
  • Application Preparation: Our immigration solicitors will fill in your UK visa application forms accurately and submit them.
  • Supporting Documents: We will advise you on the required documents to be submitted in support of your visa application and ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the visa category you are applying for.
  • Legal Representation: We can represent you in communications with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department, embassy, or consulate handling your application. We can correspond with immigration authorities on your behalf, respond to requests for additional information, and address any concerns or queries raised during the processing of your application.
  • Appeals and Administrative Reviews: If your visa application is refused, our immigration solicitors can help you explore options for appealing the decision or requesting an administrative review. We can prepare and submit appeal or review applications, gather additional evidence to support your case and represent you at appeal hearings or review proceedings.

If you have any questions or want assistance with your UK visa application, please call our expert immigration solicitors based in London at 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, fill in our online contact form, and one of our UK immigration experts will get back in touch with you soon!

Call us at 0203 959 7755 or fill in our online contact form, and we'll guide you through the UK family visa extension application process.

There are several ways to contact our solicitors based in Hayes, London:

We are located near Hayes and Harlington Station on Hayes High Street, in Hayes Town Centre. 

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.

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