Extending a UK visit visa is possible in limited circumstances, but it's far more restricted than many visitors expect. Most tourists, family visitors, and business visitors cannot extend their stay beyond the original 6 months. However, certain categories—including visitors for private medical treatment, academic visitors, and medical professionals taking the PLAB test—may qualify for an extension. This guide explains who can extend, the £1,000 application fee, the FLR(IR) form process, and genuine reasons the Home Office will accept.
UK Visit Visa Extension 2026: Complete Overview
The UK visitor visa extension rules are strict. Most visitors cannot extend their stay beyond 6 months in total, and the Home Office takes a narrow view of what constitutes "exceptional circumstances." The extension costs £1,000 per person, must be applied for before your current visa expires, and is processed using Form FLR(IR).
Under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, visitor extensions must be applied for from within the UK using Form FLR(IR). You cannot switch from a visitor visa to another visa category in most cases, and Permitted Paid Engagement and transit visitors cannot extend at all.
Can You Extend a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. Standard visitors can only extend if they were granted less than 6 months initially (bringing total stay to 6 months). Medical visitors, academic visitors, and PLAB test candidates have specific extension routes allowing stays of 12-18 months. The fee is £1,000 and processing takes approximately 8 weeks.
The ability to extend a UK visitor visa depends entirely on your visitor category and circumstances. The Home Office is clear that visitor extensions are exceptional, not routine. If you were granted a full 6-month Standard Visitor Visa, you generally cannot extend it—even if you want to stay longer for tourism or family reasons.
Who Can Extend Their UK Visitor Visa?
UK Visitor Visa Extension Fees 2026
The UK visitor visa extension costs £1,000 per application in 2026. This fee applies to all visitor categories and each family member must submit a separate application with the full fee. Standard processing takes approximately 8 weeks, with priority services available for faster decisions at £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 (next working day).
Visitor Visa Extension Costs and Processing Times
The extension fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused. Each family member (spouse, partner, children) must submit their own application and pay the full £1,000 fee. For detailed information about priority visa services, see our dedicated guide.
Important: Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for extensions. However, NHS treatment is chargeable unless an exemption applies, so maintaining travel health insurance is advisable.
Genuine Reasons for Visitor Visa Extension
Genuine reasons for UK visitor visa extension include: ongoing private medical treatment requiring continued care, academic research that cannot be completed within the initial visa period, retaking the PLAB test after an unsuccessful first attempt, and exceptional circumstances like serious illness or pandemic-related travel restrictions. Simply wanting to extend a holiday or visit family longer is not accepted.
What the Home Office Considers Genuine Reasons
- Ongoing medical treatment: Cancer therapy, post-surgery recovery, or other medical care that requires continued treatment under UK medical supervision
- Academic research continuation: Research or academic exchange that legitimately requires more time to complete, with documentation from the UK institution
- PLAB test resit: Additional time needed to prepare for and retake the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board examination
- Clinical attachment: Unpaid clinical observation placement following successful PLAB test completion
- Exceptional circumstances: Serious illness preventing travel, pandemic travel restrictions, or genuine emergencies with supporting evidence
- Marriage completion: Legal formalities for marriage/civil partnership when initially granted less than 6 months
What Is NOT Accepted as a Valid Reason
Extension Rules by Visitor Category
Standard and Marriage Visitor Visa Extension
Standard visitors and marriage visitors can only extend if their initial permission was for less than 6 months. The combined duration of the original grant plus extension must not exceed 6 months total. For example, if you received a 3-month visa, you could apply to extend by 3 months—but no more.
If you were already granted 6 months, you cannot extend unless you fall into the medical, academic, or PLAB categories. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of UK visitor visa rules—many visitors assume they can simply apply for more time, but this is not the case.
Medical Treatment Visitor Extension
Visitors in the UK for private medical treatment have the most flexible extension options. You can extend for additional 6-month periods, and there is no limit on how many times you can extend—as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
To qualify, you must provide:
- Proof of payment: Evidence that previous treatment has been paid for
- Future treatment costs: Proof of ability to pay for continuing treatment
- Medical documentation: Certificate from a UK-registered medical practitioner confirming the need for continued treatment
- NHS reciprocal arrangements: If treatment is at an NHS hospital under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, authorisation from your government confirming payment
Academic Visitor Extension
Academic visitors engaged in research, formal exchanges, or other permitted academic activities can extend their stay up to 12 months total. Accompanying family members (dependents) can also apply, but each must submit a separate application with the £1,000 fee.
Requirements vary by academic category:
- General academics: Hold advanced qualifications (PhD or equivalent) and demonstrate prior work at an overseas academic institution
- Non-senior doctors/dentists: Must prove visit is for research or formal exchange only
- Senior doctors/dentists: Can visit for research, clinical practice, formal exchange, or teaching
- ATAS certificate: May be required for research involving certain sensitive subjects
PLAB Test and Clinical Attachment Extension
Medical professionals taking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test have two extension possibilities:
- PLAB resit extension: Up to 6 additional months to retake the PLAB test. Requires written confirmation from the General Medical Council that you are retaking the test.
- Clinical attachment extension: After passing PLAB, you can extend to undertake an unpaid clinical attachment or dental observer post. Total stay must not exceed 18 months.
Note: PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 are each valid for 2 years from the date of passing. You must obtain GMC registration within this period or retake the relevant examination.
UK Visitor Visa Extension Application Process
Apply online using Form FLR(IR) on the GOV.UK website before your current visa expires. Pay the £1,000 fee, book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS centre, and upload supporting documents. Processing takes approximately 8 weeks standard, or faster with priority services. You can remain in the UK legally while your application is pending.
Step-by-Step Extension Process
- Gather documents: Passport, evidence of finances, accommodation proof, extension reason letter, category-specific documents
- Complete Form FLR(IR): Apply online through GOV.UK before your current visa expires
- Pay the £1,000 fee: Non-refundable payment made online during application
- Book UKVCAS appointment: Attend to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph)
- Upload supporting evidence: Digital uploads or physical copies at appointment
- Wait for decision: ~8 weeks standard, or use priority/super priority for faster processing
Documents Required for Visitor Visa Extension
- Valid passport: Current passport or travel document
- Financial evidence: Bank statements, payslips, or sponsorship letter showing funds for extended stay
- Accommodation proof: Hotel booking, host letter, or other evidence of where you'll stay
- Extension letter: Detailed explanation of why you need to extend and supporting evidence
- Category-specific documents: Medical certificates, GMC letters, academic institution letters, research documentation
What Happens If Your Extension Is Refused?
If your UK visitor visa extension is refused, you must leave the UK before your original visa expires (or within any grace period given). Overstaying can result in a re-entry ban of 1-10 years depending on the length of overstay. There is no right of appeal for visitor visa extension refusals, but you can reapply or seek judicial review in exceptional cases.
If your extension application is refused, you will receive a decision letter explaining the reasons. Unlike some visa categories, visitor visa extension refusals do not carry a right of appeal. Your options include:
- Leave the UK: Depart before your original visa expires to avoid overstaying penalties
- Reapply: Submit a fresh application addressing the reasons for refusal with stronger evidence
- Judicial review: Challenge the decision through the judicial review process if there were procedural errors
Overstaying your UK visa has serious consequences. For detailed information about the penalties and re-entry bans, see our guide on general grounds for UK visa refusal.
- Most standard tourist/family visitors cannot extend beyond 6 months total
- Extension fee is £1,000 per person, non-refundable
- Medical visitors can extend indefinitely (6 months at a time) with proper documentation
- Academic visitors can stay up to 12 months total
- PLAB candidates can stay up to 18 months (including clinical attachment)
- Apply using Form FLR(IR) before your current visa expires
- Processing takes ~8 weeks; priority services available for faster decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my UK tourist visa?
In most cases, no. Standard tourist and family visitors cannot extend their UK stay beyond 6 months total. Extensions are only available for specific categories: visitors for private medical treatment (unlimited extensions), academic visitors (up to 12 months), and PLAB test candidates (up to 18 months). If you were initially granted less than 6 months, you may extend to reach the 6-month maximum—but only in exceptional circumstances.
How much does a UK visitor visa extension cost?
The UK visitor visa extension costs £1,000 per application in 2026. This fee is non-refundable, even if refused. Each family member must submit a separate application and pay the full £1,000. Priority processing is available at an additional £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 (next working day). Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for extensions.
What are valid reasons for extending a UK visitor visa?
Valid reasons include: ongoing private medical treatment requiring continued care, academic research that cannot be completed within the initial period, retaking the PLAB test after an unsuccessful attempt, completing an unpaid clinical attachment after passing PLAB, and exceptional circumstances like serious illness or pandemic travel restrictions. Simply wanting to continue a holiday or extend a family visit is not a valid reason and will result in refusal.
How long does UK visitor visa extension processing take?
Standard processing for a UK visitor visa extension takes approximately 8 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority service (additional £500) aims for a decision within 5 working days, while Super Priority (additional £1,000) targets next working day. You can legally remain in the UK while your application is being processed—this is known as "3C leave."
What form do I use to extend a UK visitor visa?
Use Form FLR(IR) ("Application to extend stay in the UK") to apply for a visitor visa extension. This must be completed online through the GOV.UK website before your current visa expires. After submitting the form and paying the fee, you'll need to book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide biometrics. Transit, ADS, and Permitted Paid Engagement visitors cannot use this form—they cannot extend.
Can I leave the UK while my extension is being processed?
No. Leaving the UK while your visitor visa extension application is under review will result in your application being treated as withdrawn. You may remain in the UK legally under "3C leave" while awaiting a decision. If you must travel urgently, your application will be cancelled and you would need to reapply from outside the UK with a new visitor visa application (not an extension).
What happens if my UK visitor visa extension is refused?
If refused, you must leave the UK before your original visa expires (or within any grace period given). There is no right of appeal for visitor visa extension refusals. Overstaying can result in a re-entry ban of 1-10 years depending on the length of overstay. You can reapply with stronger evidence, or in exceptional cases, challenge the decision through judicial review if there were procedural errors in the decision-making process.
Can I extend my UK medical visitor visa multiple times?
Yes. Medical treatment visitors have the most flexible extension options—there is no limit on how many times you can extend. Each extension grants an additional 6 months and costs £1,000. However, you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements each time: proof of payment for previous treatment, evidence of ability to pay for continuing treatment, and a medical certificate from a UK-registered practitioner confirming the need for continued treatment.