Skilled Worker Visa Extension Guide 2026

When to Extend

You should start the extension process at least 3 months before your current Skilled Worker visa expires. Your employer needs time to prepare and assign a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and you need time to complete the online application.

You can apply from inside the UK up to 28 days before your visa expires. As with all visa extensions, applying before your visa expires triggers Section 3C leave, which protects your status while the application is pending.

If your visa expires before you apply, you become an overstayer. This can result in a ban from future UK visas and potential removal from the UK.

Requirements

Certificate of Sponsorship

Your employer must have a valid sponsor licence and must assign you a new CoS for the extension. The CoS confirms your job title, SOC code, salary, and other details. Your employer does this through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

Salary Threshold

You must meet the salary threshold in place at the time of your extension. As of 2026, you must earn either:

• The general salary threshold of £38,700 per year, or
• The going rate for your specific occupation (SOC code), whichever is higher.

If your role is on the Immigration Salary List, a lower threshold may apply.

Important: If you were originally sponsored at a lower salary under the old threshold (£26,200), you may need a pay rise to meet the new threshold for extension. Discuss this with your employer well in advance.

English Language

You must still meet the English language requirement at CEFR B1 level. If you met this requirement in your initial application, you do not need to retake the test — your previous evidence carries forward.

Genuine Vacancy

The Home Office must be satisfied that the job is a genuine vacancy. The role must be a real job at the appropriate skill level (RQF 3 or above) and the salary must be genuine.

Costs

The costs for a Skilled Worker visa extension in 2026:

• Application fee: Varies by duration and ISL status. Typically £719 to £1,500.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year for the duration of the extension.
• Biometric enrolment: Free if using the IDV app.

Your employer may choose to pay some or all of these costs. This is a matter for negotiation between you and your employer — there is no legal requirement for them to pay, though many employers do.

For a full breakdown, see our Skilled Worker visa costs guide.

Changing Employers

You can switch to a new employer as part of the extension process. The key points:

• Your new employer must hold a valid sponsor licence.
• They must assign you a new CoS before you apply.
• You submit a new Skilled Worker visa application (not technically an "extension" but a new grant).
• You should not start working for the new employer until your new application has been submitted. Once submitted, you can begin work while the application is pending.
• The new role must meet all Skilled Worker requirements (salary, skill level, etc.).

If you leave your current employer before your new application is submitted, there are time limits. You generally have 60 days to find a new sponsor after leaving your job (or until your visa expires, whichever is shorter).