Completing application form HPDL
Do I need a visa?
This page explains how you should complete application form HPDL to extend your permission to stay (limited leave to remain) in the United Kingdom or to apply to stay here permanently (indefinite leave to remain). You can download the form from the right side of this page.
You should use form HPDL if you were refused asylum but given:
- exceptional leave to remain for a period of less than four years, or for separate periods making four years in all;
- discretionary leave to remain; or
- humanitarian protection.
This page gives general guidance on completing form HPDL. You should also read the detailed guidance notes given at the end of the form.
If you have what we call exceptional leave to enter or exceptional leave to remain (which is permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily that was given for exceptional reasons) and this was given for a period of four years or more before 1 April 2003, you should not use form HPDL. Instead, you should use form ELR if you have a continuing fear of return to your country of origin, or form FLR(O) if you no longer fear return to your country of origin. See Completing application form FLR(O) for more details of form FLR(O), and Applying for settlement in the United Kingdom for more details of form ELR.
There is no fee for making this application.
You must be in the United Kingdom to apply. You must not apply more than four weeks before the end of your authorised stay in the United Kingdom. Your application will not be considered if you send it earlier than this. However, you must make your application before your current permission to stay in this country expires.
You can use one form for a joint application by you, your partner and any children you have who are aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately.
If you have any questions about completing your application form, you can contact us.
We cannot tell in advance how long it will take to decide your application so you should not make non-urgent travel plans until we have returned your passport to you. Your application will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
You must fill in the form in block capitals using a black pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy, for example 29-04-2000.
Sections 1 and 3 - details of yourself and your family
You must complete this section fully. If you are including dependants on your form, you should put your own details in section 1 and details of your dependants in section 3. If an immigration adviser is helping you complete the application, write his/her address at section 1.9.
Section 2 - your history and circumstances
You must complete this section fully. The date required in section 2.1 is the date when your current permission to stay expires (we call this 'limited leave to remain'). Use the box at the end of section 2 to give any reasons why you want to extend your stay that you have not already told us about. You do not need to tell us anything that you have previously told us in any other application for asylum, or an appeal, or request to extend your stay. If your circumstances change after you have made your application, you should tell us as soon as possible.
Sections 4, 5 and 6
You must complete these sections. If you are including dependants on your application, you must make sure you provide their documents and photographs and tick all the boxes that apply. You must sign and date the declaration in Section 6. If your application is for more than one person, the main applicant must sign the form.
Personal checklist
This enables you to check that you have included everything we have asked for.
Sending us the form
Please send us all the pages up to and including Section 6, but keep the guidance notes at the end for yourself. The notes tell you how to contact us if you need to do so after sending us your application.
You should post your application to us. You cannot make an application of this type in person at our public enquiry offices. If your permission to stay here was given to you by an asylum case owner, you should send your application form to the regional address given on a document called the decision service record, which was given to you when your case owner told you about the decision on your asylum case. Otherwise, you should post your application to:
Active Review Applications
UK Border Agency
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is my immigration status while my application is being decided?
If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.
Application forms
Extension of stay if you were granted less that 4 years exceptional leave, discretionary leave, or humanitarian protection following the refusal of asylum (HPDL)
- Form HPDLPDF 227K opens in a new window
News & updates
Terms explained
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Dependant
Someone who depends on you financially, such as a husband, wife, partner, or child.
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Discretionary leave to remain
Permission to stay in the United Kingdom for reasons that are exceptional. This is sometimes given to someone who does not qualify for asylum but whom we believe should be allowed to stay for other reasons.
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Humanitarian protection
Protection given to someone under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not the same as asylum, which may be given only to those who are fleeing persecution, under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. We may give humanitarian protection to someone whom we believe does not qualify for asylum if we think there are humanitarian reasons for allowing that person to stay in the United Kingdom.
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Indefinite leave to remain
Indefinite leave to remain (often known as ILR) is permission to stay permanently (settle) in the United Kingdom, free from immigration control.
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Limited leave to remain
Permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily, for the length of time stated on your visa.
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Notary
A notary is also known as a notary public. A notary is a public official who is legally authorised to witness the signing of documents and perform other formal duties.
Contact
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Visa services
Visa services, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH. If you are outside the United Kingdom you should contact you nearest British diplomatic post.