Highly skilled workers
Extending your stay
This section explains how you can apply to extend your stay in the United Kingdom under the highly skilled worker category (Tier 1 General) of the points-based system.
On this page
You should read the section on eligibility first, to make sure you meet the requirements to apply.
Can you apply to extend your stay?
You can apply to extend your stay if you are:
- already in the United Kingdom under the highly skilled worker category and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category; or
- already in the United Kingdom under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, want to extend your permission to stay and are eligible to switch into the highly skilled worker category.
If you have not previously been given permission to stay in either of these categories, you should read the section on initial applications.
How long you can extend your stay for
If you are given leave to remain (permission to stay) as a highly skilled worker from inside the United Kingdom, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay.
The conditions you must meet if you want to extend your stay
Extending your stay is dependent on the following conditions:
- you have no recourse to public funds (which means you will be unable to claim most benefits paid by the state);
- you have been given entry clearance, or leave to enter or remain as a highly skilled migrant or as a post-graduate doctor or dentist;
- you were previously given entry clearance or leave to remain as a highly skilled migrant and that was not subject to a condition prohibiting employment as a doctor in training.
Sponsored students
If you are in the United Kingdom as a postgraduate doctor or dentist or as a student and are being sponsored, or if your sponsorship ended in the last 12 months, we must receive consent from your sponsor to give you permission to stay. If your sponsor does not give this permission, we will refuse your application. If you received private sponsorship during your studies, we do not need your sponsor's consent. You should send an original letter from your sponsor giving us their consent for us to allow to you stay in the United Kingdom.
Application forms
Points-based system: Tier 1 (General) - highly skilled worker
- Application for initial entry (switching) or extension of stay within Tier 1 (General) - main applicantPDF 428K opens in a new window
- Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system - policy guidancePDF 336K opens in a new window
Terms explained
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HSMP approval letter
A letter from us that confirms you have passed the first stage of the application process for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme because you have the skills and experience required. HSMP approval letters are valid for six months from the date of issue.
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Public funds
Public funds are income-related benefits paid by the state. They include income support, income-based job seekers allowance, housing and homelessness assistance, housing and council tax benefit, working families' tax credit, a social fund payment, child benefit and any disability allowance. Benefits paid as a result of contributions, such as the state pension, are not considered to be public funds. Social housing is not considered to be a public fund either. Claiming public funds when you are not eligible is known as benefit fraud and it is a criminal offence.