You can usually extend a Skilled Worker visa if you have the same job and occupation code as in your last permission, and still work for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship (GOV.UK). You apply online before your visa runs out. You usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
Can I extend my Skilled Worker visa?
You can usually apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of these are true:
- you have the same job as when you got your last permission to enter or stay in the UK
- your job is in the same occupation code as when you got that permission
- you still work for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
You must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. If you do, your application will be withdrawn.
If you change job or employer, you apply to update your visa instead. See changing job or employer.
Your sponsor must be A-rated on the register of licensed sponsors. The exception is if your last permission was as a Skilled Worker and you are applying to keep working for the same sponsor (SW 5.3).
Can I extend if my job is medium skilled?
If your job is “medium skilled” in the table of eligible jobs, you can extend if both of these are true:
- you got your first certificate of sponsorship before 22 July 2025
- you have held one or more Skilled Worker visas without a break since you got your first certificate of sponsorship
See medium skilled occupations for the codes in that group.
Can I extend as a prison officer?
Yes, if you apply as a prison officer (code 3314). These are the conditions:
| Condition | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Certificate of sponsorship | You must get it on or before 31 December 2027 |
| Length of sponsorship | Your employer can sponsor you for up to 3 years |
| Minimum salary | The higher of £31,300 and the “lower going rate” for prison officers |
What salary do I need when I extend?
The minimum salary may be lower if you are extending (GOV.UK’s “your job” page). The lower figures depend on your situation:
- If you got your first certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024, see certificate of sponsorship before 4 April 2024.
- If you work in some healthcare or education jobs, see health and education rates.
- For the standard figures, see salary thresholds.
What if I have a Tier 2 (General) work visa?
Different rules may apply if you have a Tier 2 (General) work visa, or had one that you extended as a Skilled Worker visa. They depend on two things:
- whether you got the certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 visa before or after 24 November 2016
- your occupation code
If you got your certificate of sponsorship on or after 24 November 2016 and you apply to extend before 1 December 2026, you still need to meet the lower salary rules. But your salary may also include allowances, such as London weighting. Any allowances must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.
For some jobs the going rate is different if you had a Tier 2 (General) visa. These rates are based on a 37.5-hour working week.
| Code on your Tier 2 (General) application | Code on your current application | Going rate | 90% of going rate | 80% of going rate | 70% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2113 Physical scientists | 2114 Physical scientists | £27,190 (£13.94 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | £27,190 (£13.94 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2119 Natural and social science professionals not classified elsewhere | 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline | £27,190 (£13.94 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline | £30,940 (£15.87 per hour) | £27,840 (£14.28 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | £30,940 (£15.87 per hour) | £27,840 (£14.28 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
| 2311 Higher education teaching professionals | 2322 Education managers | £30,940 (£15.87 per hour) | £27,840 (£14.28 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) | £25,000 (£12.82 per hour) |
The rules say the same thing, including the 1 December 2026 date for allowances. You must also have had permission as a Skilled Worker without a break since the Tier 2 (General) grant (SW 14.5).
What happens to my partner and children?
Your partner’s or child’s visa will not extend automatically if you extend yours. If they do not extend, it is valid until its original end date. They can apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa runs out. Partner and children covers which dependants can stay.
How do I apply, and how much does it cost?
You must apply online before your current visa runs out. You can save the form and finish it later. If you are inside the UK, the form is called “Skilled Worker” (SW 1.1(b)).
See the fees page for the cost of your type of visa. The appointment to give your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) has no fee. You do not need to show funds if you have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the day you apply (SW 15.1).
To prove your identity, you either:
- use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app
- give your fingerprints and photo at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
How long does it take?
You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. GOV.UK will contact you if it takes longer. Some reasons are:
- your documents need to be checked
- you need an interview
- your personal circumstances
You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
If you need to change something after you send your application, GOV.UK says to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). You can ask to cancel the application. You only get your fee back if UKVI has not started processing it.
Your visa runs until 14 days after the end date of your certificate of sponsorship. The end date can be up to 5 years after the start date (SW 18.1).
Questions
When can I extend a Skilled Worker visa?
GOV.UK says you can usually extend if you have the same job and the same occupation code as when you got your last permission. You must also still work for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.
Can I extend a Skilled Worker visa in a medium skilled job?
GOV.UK says you can if you got your first certificate of sponsorship before 22 July 2025 and have held one or more Skilled Worker visas without a break since then. You can also apply as a prison officer (code 3314).
How long does a Skilled Worker extension take?
GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You may be able to pay for a faster decision.
What if I change job or employer instead of extending?
GOV.UK says you need to apply to update your visa instead of extending it.
Does my partner's visa extend automatically?
No. GOV.UK says your partner's or child's visa will not extend automatically if you extend yours. They can apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa runs out.
SOC codes on this page
| 3314 | Prison service officers (below principal officer) | Medium Skilled |
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa: extend your visa (GOV.UK)
- Skilled Worker visa: your job (GOV.UK)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice.