Renewing your leave to remain in the UK is a critical step in maintaining lawful residence and protecting your immigration status. If you hold limited leave to remain, whether as a worker, partner, parent, or student, you must apply to extend your permission before it expires to avoid overstaying and losing your right to work, study, rent, or remain in the UK.
This article provides a comprehensive and legally accurate guide to renewing leave to remain in the United Kingdom. It explains who must renew, the route-specific eligibility criteria under the Immigration Rules (including Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix FM), required documents, the online application and UKVCAS biometrics process, Home Office fees and processing times, common pitfalls, and the protection you receive under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 when an in-time application is made.
Section A: What Leave to Remain Renewal Means
Renewal of leave to remain means extending your existing immigration permission beyond the period originally granted. Most categories of limited leave, work, family, and study visas require renewal before expiry if you intend to continue living lawfully in the UK.
Key points:
- Renewal is not the same as an initial application.
- Renewal is not switching routes; it continues your current visa pathway.
- Renewing on time protects your continuous residence for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- A Skilled Worker renewing before five years keeps their ILR clock running without interruption.
- Failing to renew before your visa expires makes you an overstayer. This breaches the Immigration Rules and may impact future applications or result in removal from the UK.
- If you apply before expiry, section 3C leave automatically extends your current permission until the Home Office issues a decision. During this period, your rights and conditions remain unchanged.
Important reminders:
- Renewal applications must be submitted online.
- You must remain inside the UK while the application is pending.
- Travelling abroad before a decision is issued will usually withdraw the application automatically.
Section B: Eligibility and Legal Requirements
Eligibility for leave to remain renewal depends on your visa route, compliance with visa conditions, residence history, and your ability to meet the current requirements under the Immigration Rules.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Hold a valid limited leave at the time of application
- Apply before expiry to keep section 3C protection
- Meet the specific requirements of their route
- Provide accurate and consistent supporting evidence
- Demonstrate compliance with visa conditions
- Provide biometric information
Route-specific eligibility includes:
Skilled Worker Visa
To renew, you must:
- Continue to work for a licensed sponsor
- Remain in an eligible occupation code
- Meet the updated salary requirement, which must satisfy:
- The occupation-specific going rate, and
- The 2025 general salary threshold of £41,700 per year, unless an exemption applies (such as health and care roles, new entrants, or PhD-level roles)
Partner or Spouse Visa (Appendix FM)
As of 2025:
- The relationship must remain genuine and subsisting
- You must meet the updated £29,000 financial requirement for a partner without children
- Higher thresholds apply if children are included
- Evidence of cohabitation, income, and the ongoing relationship is required
Student Visa
To renew, you must show:
- Continued enrolment with a licensed education provider
- Evidence of academic progression
- Compliance with all visa conditions
- Financial evidence as required
Dependants are only allowed if you are studying:
- A PhD or doctoral qualification
- A research-based postgraduate programme
(Dependants for taught master’s programmes are no longer permitted.)
Supporting documents
You must provide updated evidence, such as:
- Payslips or employment letters
- Bank statements
- Tenancy agreements or proof of accommodation
- Proof of study
- Passport, BRP or digital status
- Relationship evidence (for family routes)
Missing or inconsistent documents can delay or cause refusal.
Section C: How to Apply for Leave to Remain Renewal
Renewals are completed entirely through the Home Office’s online system and must be submitted before your current leave expires.
Step 1: Complete the Online Form
Use the correct form on GOV.UK (for example, FLR(M) for partners or the Skilled Worker extension form).
Provide:
- Personal details
- Immigration history
- Documents relating to employment, study, or family
Step 2: Pay the Required Fees
At submission, the system calculates:
- Home Office application fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Optional priority or super priority fees
Payment is made online.
Step 3: Upload Your Supporting Documents
Documents are uploaded to the UKVCAS portal, including:
- Passport or BRP
- Income or employment evidence
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of residence
Step 4: Attend Your Biometric Appointment
At UKVCAS, you provide fingerprints and a photo unless eligible for biometric reuse.
Failure to attend may result in refusal.
Step 5: Await the Decision
After biometrics, the Home Office processes your application.
You will receive:
- A decision by email
- A BRP or updated digital status
You must not travel abroad while the application is pending, as this will automatically withdraw it.
Section D: Fees, Processing Times, and Common Issues
Home Office Fees (2025)
- Standard extension fee: £1,258 per applicant
- IHS: £1,035 per year
- Dependants: Same fee per person
Optional services:
- Priority Service: £500 (5 working days)
- Super Priority Service: £1,000 (next working day)
Processing times
- Standard: Up to 8 weeks
- Complex cases may take longer
Common issues that cause refusals
- Applying after visa expiry
- Missing or inconsistent documents
- Not meeting financial or relationship requirements
- Using the wrong application form
- Incorrect fee payments
If refused, you may have a right to administrative review or appeal depending on your route.
FAQs: Leave to Remain Renewal
How early can I renew?
Most routes allow renewal up to three months before expiry.
(The old 28-day rule is no longer used.)
What if my visa expires before I renew it?
You become an overstayer. Only in-time applications receive section 3C protection.
Can I travel while my renewal is pending?
No. Your application will be withdrawn automatically.
What is section 3C leave?
A legal provision extending your permission while an in-time application is pending.
Is there a grace period?
Only in limited circumstances (up to 14 days) and only with strong evidence that the delay was genuinely outside your control.
Can I include dependants?
Yes. Dependants already in the UK under your route may apply with you.
What if my circumstances change before renewal?
You may need to switch routes. Legal advice is recommended.
Conclusion
Renewing your leave to remain is essential for maintaining lawful residence in the UK. Submitting your application before expiry ensures section 3C protection, prevents gaps in residence, and maintains your rights to work, study, and access services.
Applicants must meet the relevant Immigration Rules, provide complete documentation, and follow all steps of the online and UKVCAS process. Correct and timely renewal supports long-term stability and strengthens your pathway toward ILR and eventually British citizenship.
How LawSentis Can Help
At LawSentis, we specialise in helping individuals renew their leave to remain with confidence and full legal compliance. As an IAA-regulated Level 3 UK immigration firm, we provide expert, end-to-end support tailored to your visa category.
We assist with:
- Assessing eligibility under the latest Immigration Rules
- Ensuring full compliance with Appendix FM, Appendix Skilled Worker, and Appendix Student
- Preparing all required supporting documents
- Completing and submitting your online renewal application
- Managing biometric appointments and deadlines
- Advising on section 3C protection and maintaining lawful status
- Handling complex, high-risk, or previously refused applications
- Providing long-term planning toward ILR and British citizenship
If you want your renewal handled professionally and accurately, our team is ready to assist.
Book a consultation with LawSentis today to secure your future in the UK.