Work permit renewal in United Kingdom
How to renew a work permit — how it works anywhere
Renewing a UK work visa or skilled worker permission involves submitting an online application to extend current immigration status before the existing leave expires. Applicants typically must satisfy updated eligibility criteria and pay the relevant immigration health surcharge and application fees.
It is standard practice to begin the application process at least 3 months before a current visa expires. This allows sufficient time to gather supporting documentation, such as a new Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer, and accounts for potential processing delays or appointment availability.
Start 90 days ahead
Processing times can vary based on whether an applicant uses standard or priority services, and whether they need to provide biometrics in person.
Most permit renewals ask you to prove you have health cover → SafetyWing
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The process
- 1Obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the current employer.
- 2Verify that the role continues to meet the salary and skill level requirements defined by the current immigration rules.
- 3Complete the online application form on the official government website.
- 4Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- 5Book and attend a biometric appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide fingerprints and a photo.
- 6Submit all required supporting documentation digitally or in person as instructed.
What to bring
- Current biometric residence permit (BRP) or digital status evidence
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
- Evidence of salary, such as bank statements or payslips
- Current valid passport or travel document
- Proof of English language proficiency if required
Who handles it
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/extend-your-visa
Fees vary depending on the length of the extension and whether the applicant chooses to pay for expedited processing. Precise current costs are listed on the official UK government visa fee schedule.
What commonly goes wrong
- Failing to apply before the previous visa expires, which may lead to loss of legal status.
- Providing inconsistent information compared to the original visa application.
- Incomplete documentation, specifically regarding the updated Certificate of Sponsorship.
Sources
Don't rely on remembering
Renewals here take about 90 days to start. Add this document and Duratum will tell you when that window opens.