Apply for an Extension Of Skilled Worker Visa UK - Specialist Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 01 February 2026

You can apply for an extension of your Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK before the expiry of your current leave to remain as a Skilled Worker if you continue to be sponsored by your sponsor/employer for the eligible skilled job. Your employer/sponsor must assign you an undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to apply for an extension of your Skilled Worker visa. If your prospective employer does not hold a sponsor licence, our specialist team of sponsor licence solicitors can provide priority service to your prospective employer with an application for a skilled worker sponsor licence to get a decision on the sponsor licence application within 10 working days.

An application for an extension of the Skilled Worker visa is made in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix Skilled Workers, Appendix Skilled Occupations, and the Immigration Salary List. The Skilled Worker visa is a Point Based System (PBS) visa category, and points can be awarded for the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), job skill level, English language, appropriate Salary, PhD level qualifications, a job on the Immigration Salary List, and the applicant applying as a new entrant.

A total of 70 points is required to be eligible to apply for an extension of the Skilled Worker visa; 50 points are mandatory non-tradeable points, and the remaining 20 are tradeable points.

For individuals already holding a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK, the extension process is essential to maintain legal status beyond the initial visa duration. Whether you're looking to continue working with the same employer or exploring new job opportunities, a timely extension of a skilled worker visa ensures uninterrupted employment and residency in the UK.

Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.

Free Immigration Advice for Extension of Skilled Worker Visa

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide a free, one-off 5-minute immigration advice session regarding your application for an extension of a skilled worker visa. Ask a question online to our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our skilled worker visa solicitors concerning your application for an extension of a skilled worker visa.

Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa Extension

The applicant must meet the following requirements of the Immigration Rules to extend a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK successfully:

Valid Application: The applicant must submit a valid application for an extension of a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK.

Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The applicant must have a certificate of sponsorship assigned to them by their sponsor no more than three months before the date of application.

Points Requirement: The applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and at least 20 points from tradeable points.

Applicant's Age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old on the date of application for an extension of a Skilled Worker visa.

Immigration Status Requirement: The applicant's current or last grant of leave to enter or remain must be as a Tier 2 General migrant or as a Skilled Worker.

Suitability Requirement: The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules.

Not In Breach Of Immigration Laws: If applying for an extension of a skilled worker visa, the applicant must not be:

in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
on immigration bail.

Financial Requirement: If the applicant is applying for an extension of a skilled worker visa and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

If the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of the extension application, either:

The applicant must have funds of at least £1,270. The applicant must show that they have held the required funds for a 28-day period, as specified in Appendix Finance; or
The applicant’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.

Salary Requirements For Skilled Worker Visa UK

To succeed in the Skilled Worker visa application, the applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and at least 20 points from tradeable points.

Mandatory Non-Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa

The applicant must score 50 mandatory non-tradeable points to succeed in an application for a Skilled Worker visa, and the remaining 20 points can be scored from tradeable points. The mandatory non-tradeable points are given in the table below:

Characterstics	Points
Sponsorship	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	20
English language	10

Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa UK

The application process for skilled worker visas asks applicants and sponsors to provide all relevant information that might attract tradeable points. Applicants can score tradeable points in more than one way (although they cannot mix and match different options). To secure a successful skilled worker visa, an applicant must amass 20 tradeable points. These points can be acquired through various options, each offering its own set of criteria for point allocation. However, please note that the applicant can claim 20 points from only one of the available options.

The applicant must be awarded 20 points from one of the options in the table below, and for the purpose of meeting these points:

(a) An applicant can only be awarded points from options A to E, unless they meet the requirements in (b) or (c).

(b) An applicant can only be awarded points from options F to J if:

(i) they are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
(ii) the date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).

(c) An applicant can only be awarded points from option K if they are being sponsored for a job in an appropriate eligible SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 3 or Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Salary Requirements Under Options A to E

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options A to E changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a skilled worker visa UK are as follows:

Meeting Salary Requirements Under Option A

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option A in accordance with the requirements of paragraph SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

£41,700 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code, as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option B (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option B as per the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to SW9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£37,500 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option C (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option C according to the requirements of paragraphs SW10.1 to SW10.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,400 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option D (Job On The Immigration Salary List)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option D in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,4000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option E (New Entrant)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per the requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,400 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Salary Requirements Under Options F to J

An applicant for a skilled worker visa can only be awarded 20 points from options F to J if:

They are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
The date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options F to J changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a skilled worker visa UK are as follows:

Meeting Salary Requirement With Option F

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option F as per the requirements of SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

£31,300 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option G (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option G in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£28,200 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option H (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 points under Option H in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option I (Job On The Immigration Salary List)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option I in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option J (New Entrant)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per the requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option K (Job in a Listed Health or Education Occupation)

Some health and education occupation codes are listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations. The going rates for these occupations are taken from national pay scales, and no discounts to the going rates are available. If an applicant is being sponsored in an occupation code in Table 3, they can only score tradeable points based on option K.

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa UK can score 20 tradeable points under Option K in accordance with requirements of SW13.1 to 13.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 3, 3a, 4 or 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Can I Use Priority Service or Super Priority Service?

As specialist skilled worker visa solicitors based in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) and its commercial partners UKVCAS Sopra Steria to provide Priority/Super Priority Service for an extension of a skilled worker visa whereby a decision on your skilled worker visa application will be made within 24 hours if you submit your application through Super Priority Service or within 5 working days if you submit your application through Priority Service.

Our skilled worker visa solicitors can prepare and submit your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa faster and get you a decision faster through Priority or Super Priority Service. This way, you will not have to wait for the decision on your Skilled Worker visa application for months.

How Can We Help With the Extension Of the Skilled Worker Visa UK?

Our specialist team of skilled worker visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your Skilled Worker visa extension application on a fixed-fee basis. Our skilled worker visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa and carry out all the work on your application until the decision by the Home Office UKVI on your skilled worker visa application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors about your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will advise you on the requirements you must meet for your skilled worker visa extension application to be successful.

Documentary advice: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted with your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa.

Assessing documents: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will review your documents to ensure that all the documents you provide in support of your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa comply with the immigration rules' requirements.

Completing the application form: Our skilled worker visa solicitors will complete the relevant form for your skilled worker visa extension application.

Priority or Super Priority Service: If required, our skilled worker visa solicitors will submit your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa online through Priority Service for a decision within 5 working days, or through Super Priority Service for a decision within 24 hours.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa to explain all the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the Home Office UKVI.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload all supporting documents online for your application for an extension of your skilled worker visa.

Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all necessary follow-up until the UKVI Home Office decides on your skilled worker visa extension application.

Specialist Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors

Our skilled worker visa solicitors are specialists in skilled worker visa extension applications. As one of the best skilled worker visa solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients successfully extend their skilled worker visas. Our highly experienced and fully qualified skilled worker visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your skilled worker visa extension application.

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

Meet Our Team of Skilled Worker Visa Solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our skilled worker visa solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the skilled worker visa extension application process with professionalism and care.

Our team comprises a diverse group of skilled worker visa solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.