Yes, You Maybe Able To Extend a UK Standard Visitor Visa
You may be able to extend a UK Standard Visitor Visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and apply before your current permission expires. In most cases, you may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.. You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you are a patient receiving medical treatment, an academic who still meets the eligibility requirements, or a graduate retaking the PLAB test or doing a clinical attachment.
Eligibility requirements
- You currently have permission to be in the UK as a Standard Visitor.
- You apply before your current permission ends.
- If you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your stay as long as the total time you spend in the UK is no more than 6 months. Different rules apply if you are applying to stay longer as a patient receiving medical treatment, an eligible academic, or a graduate retaking the PLAB test or doing a clinical attachment.
- You can demonstrate strong ties to your home country (e.g., employment, studies, property, or close family).
- You can support yourself financially during your stay without accessing public funds.
- Your purpose of stay matches the Standard Visitor rules (no work or long-term study).
How long can I extend my UK Standard Visitor Visa?
If you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months, you may be able to extend your stay up to a total of 6 months.
You may be able to extend beyond 6 months if you are one of the following:
- Patient receiving medical treatment in the UK and you continue to meet the medical route requirements.
- Academic who meets the specific academic visitor criteria.
- Graduate retaking the PLAB test or doing a clinical attachment.
Medical treatment route: You can usually apply to stay for a further 6 months at a time if you have paid for any treatment already received, can pay for future treatment, and continue to meet the eligibility rules. There is no fixed limit on the number of medical extensions while treatment continues; each application is considered in 6-month blocks and a fee is payable each time.
Fees and biometrics (2026)
The Home Office application fee to extend your stay as a Standard Visitor is £1,172. If available, the super priority service costs an additional £1,000. You will also need to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) as part of your application.
Important: Fees and services can change. Always check the latest amounts at the time you apply.
How to apply to extend a UK Standard Visitor Visa
You must apply online before your current visa expires.
- Create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
- Complete the online form for a Standard Visitor extension and confirm your reason for extending.
- Pay the application fee and the super priority fee if you choose and are eligible to use the super priority service.
- Upload your supporting documents (see list below) or follow instructions to submit them.
- Book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point if required.
- Await a decision. If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity. If available, the super priority service may provide a faster decision.
Need help? You can submit an application via our secure online form.
Documents you should prepare
- Valid passport or travel document.
- Completed online application form and proof of fee payment.
- Evidence of funds (e.g., recent bank statements or payslips).
- Accommodation and travel details or explanation of plans while in the UK.
- Proof of ties to your home country (e.g., employment letter, property documents, family evidence).
- For medical extensions: evidence from a UK-registered medical practitioner or NHS consultant giving details of your medical condition that needs further treatment, evidence that you have paid for any treatment already received, and proof that you can pay for future treatment.
- For academics: evidence that you meet the academic visitor eligibility requirements, including your qualifications, overseas academic employment and purpose of visit. You should also check whether you need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
- For PLAB or clinical attachment: written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you are retaking the PLAB test, or written confirmation of your clinical attachment offer and confirmation that you have not done a clinical attachment in the UK before.
Processing times
If you use the standard service, a decision will usually be made within 8 weeks of providing your supporting documents and proving your identity. You may be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer. If available, the super priority service may deliver a faster decision for an additional fee.
What happens next
If your application is successful, you will be granted new permission to stay for the approved period. If your application is successful, you’ll get an eVisa, which is a digital record of your identity and immigration status. Your decision email or letter will explain how to access it. If your application is refused, you will receive a decision notice explaining the reasons and any review options available.
Important restrictions and reminders
- You cannot do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person unless the activity is specifically allowed under the visitor rules.
- You cannot study long-term; only short, permitted study is allowed.
- Do not overstay. Apply before your current permission ends.
- Extending beyond 6 months is only possible under the specific exceptions listed above.]
About This Page
Author: UK Visa Applications Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Michael Gibbons, UK Solicitor and Regulated Immigration Advisor
Last Updated: 6 January 2026.
People Also Asked
What happens if I stay beyond my permitted period inside the UK?
If you stay beyond your permitted period, you become an overstayer. Overstaying can lead to refusal of future UK applications, removal from the UK, or a re-entry ban.
Can I convert my Visitor Visa to a Work Visa in the UK?
No. You cannot switch from a Visitor Visa to another category in the UK. You must usually leave the UK and apply from overseas for a work route.
Can I marry in the UK on a Visitor Visa?
You must not intend to marry or form a civil partnership (or give notice) on a Standard Visitor Visa unless you hold a Marriage Visitor visa specifically for that purpose.
Can I apply for jobs while on a UK Visitor Visa?
You can look at job listings, but you cannot work or start employment. To work, you need to qualify and apply for an appropriate work visa from outside the UK.
How many times can I extend for medical treatment?
There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay while treatment continues and you meet the rules. Each extension costs £1,172.
Do I need travel insurance to extend?
It is not mandatory, but highly recommended, especially for medical cases—to cover potential costs.
Will my passport be kept during processing?
Procedures vary. You may be asked to provide your passport for checks. Follow the instructions you receive after submitting your application.
When should I apply to extend?
Apply before your current permission expires. Do not wait until the final days, in case additional evidence is requested.