Applying in person at a public enquiry office

This page explains what our public enquiry offices offer and where they are.

If you want to apply to extend your stay in the UK, you might be able to make your application in person at one of our public enquiry offices. This is a premium service, and you will need to pay a premium application fee.

Services at our public enquiry offices are:

• by appointment only - you must book an appointment before you come to any of our offices (see below); and
• only available for certain types of application.

Our staff will try to make your appointment as easy and agreeable as possible.

If your application is straightforward, you will normally receive a decision on the same day as your appointment. If we cannot make a decision on that day (because your application requires further enquiries, or we are having technical problems), we will decide your application on the next working day or as soon as possible afterwards. We cannot guarantee a decision within 24 hours, but the vast majority of applications are decided within this time. If there is likely to be any delay in deciding your application, we will tell you when you attend your appointment.

Our public enquiry offices do not accept cash as payment for applications. You can pay by debit or credit card, banker's draft or postal order. The Glasgow and Cardiff offices accept debit and credit cards only - if you want to pay by banker's draft or postal order, you will need to send your payment by post, so you will need to book your appointment some time in advance. The Booking an appointment page contains more information.

The offices are very busy, and we cannot guarantee that an appointment will be available before your current permission to stay expires. If appointments are not available at one of our public enquiry offices, you may be able to book an appointment at another public enquiry office, providing they offer the service you require.

The public enquiry offices do not handle enquiries, or give advice. You can find information and guidance in the appropriate sections of this website, or you can contact:

• the immigration enquiry bureau for enquiries about immigration issues;
• the asylum support customer contact centre or your case owner for enquiries about asylum support;
• the sponsorship and employer's helpline for enquiries about employment sponsorship under the points-based system; or
• the nationality contact centre for enquiries about citizenship, nationality or right of abode.

The 7 public enquiry offices are in:

• Belfast
• Cardiff
• Croydon
• Glasgow
• Liverpool
• Sheffield
• Solihull

Each office may offer slightly different services, facilities, and opening hours. You should check the details of the office that you want to attend.

Some types of application cannot be made at public enquiry offices. You should read the application form for your application type to find out how you can apply. If you cannot apply at a public enquiry office, you must send your application to us by post or courier at the address given on the application form.

Service standards

Our published service standards describe how quickly we aim to decide different types of application. For charged applications made in person at a public enquiry office, our service standard says that we will decide 90 per cent of cases within 24 hours.

You should not book any travel until we have decided your case and returned all the necessary paperwork, including your passports and any decision letters, to you.