Extend your stay or switch visa from inside the UK
You must apply online before your current permission ends. A visitor with less than 6 months' permission can extend up to a total of 6 months, and the fee is £1,172. Some visitors, such as those on medical treatment, have other limits. Many work and study routes allow switching from inside the UK, but visitors and several other groups cannot switch to the Skilled Worker route.
Moving to United Kingdom
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20%social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in the UK whose visa or permission is still valid.
Apply before permission ends
Sign in to check this route against your profileGOV.UK says you must apply while in the UK and before your current visa or permission expires.
Stay while waiting
Sign in to check this route against your profileIf you applied before your permission ended, you can stay until a decision. Leaving the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man before a decision withdraws the visit extension application.
Standard visitorsVisit extension
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need permission for less than 6 months and must meet the visitor requirements.
- Applies to visit extensions
Official wording
You must have permission for less than 6 months and meet the visitor requirements.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 4 documents
- 3 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Places to visit in United Kingdom
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Other routes to United Kingdom
- Visit & tourismElectronic Travel Authorisation
- StudyStudent visa
- Work permitsUK Ancestry visa
- 3 more routes with Premium
Status in-country in other countries
- GreeceRenew a Greek residence permit or change its category from inside Greece
- Hong Kong SAR ChinaExtend your limit of stay in Hong Kong
- HondurasResidence as rentista, pensioner or investor, and the special residence route (Migration Law art. 21(8), Ministerial Agreement 374-2025)
- 3 more routes with Premium
