Parent Visa Extension

When should you apply to extend your UK Parent Visa?

You will need to apply to extend your UK Parent Visa before your current visa is set to expire. The earliest you can apply to extend your Parent Visa is 28 days before your visa expires. By submitting the application within 28 days of the expiry date, you'll meet the validity requirements  of the application process.

Applications made earlier than 28 days before visa expiry may result in a rejection of the application as invalid, or can interfere with the period of further leave to remain a granted application can carry, affecting applications to settle in future, and, where refused, could result in no right of appeal. 

If your visa ends before you apply, this is called 'overstaying' and can result in enforcement action being taken against you. 

Required documents

When you apply to extend your Parent Visa, you will be required to provide some documents. You will be told what documents the Home Office considered to be mandatory and optional when you apply but, in general, you will need to provide:

• Your current passport or other valid travel ID;

• Copies of the photo page and any visa or entry stamps in your previous passports;

• A copy of your biometric residence permit, if you have one;

• Arrangements you have to see the child. For example the courts have granted you access;

• Proof of relationship (long birth certificate);

• Details of the other parent;

• Proof of your finances;

• Proof that you meet the English language requirement;

• Council tax bills;

• Housing related documents (rent statements or mortgage documents).

If you are applying on the basis of the “exceptions” to the Immigration Rules, some documents may not be required. 

How to extend your UK Parent Visa

To extend your UK Parent Visa you will be required to complete an online application, followed by an electronic upload process. After this, you will need to register to provide biometric information before waiting for a decision on your application. Most decisions are made electronically, and so, it is important that you have access to reliable technology to ensure a smooth application process.

Parent Visa extension fees

If you are applying to extend your Parent Visa between 5 April 2023 and 5 April 2024, you can expect to pay £1,048 for the Home Office processing fee and an additional £1,560 for the immigration health surcharge. You may also pay to use the UKVCAS centres to register biometric information if you are unable to find a non-chargeable appointment or prefer to access short notice appointments. 

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot pay the fee because you:

• Do not have a place to live and cannot afford one;

• Have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating; or

• Have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child’s wellbeing.

Parent Visa extension processing time

The current average waiting time for a Parent Visa extension application is 8 months. The Home Office states they are working hard to reduce this but they also point out that there may be times when applicants are waiting longer. Making a strong application, where all required information and documents are provided from the outset, will reduce that waiting time to a minimum. 

How can Paragon Law help? 

Our immigration lawyers have assisted many individuals to successfully make a UK Parent Visa extension application. If you require assistance to extend your Parent Visa, or need support in relation to another matter relating to UK immigration, then please contact us to speak to an expert immigration lawyer.