Skilled Worker Extension Success Story: Supporting a Smooth and Timely Visa Extension
Background
We successfully assisted a sponsored employee and their UK employer with a Skilled Worker visa extension, ensuring that the application was prepared and submitted before the employee's existing permission expired.
We advised on the applicable minimum salary requirement, prepared the extension application and supporting documents, and worked closely with the employer to ensure the process was completed within the required timeframe.
We also advised the sponsoring employer on the appropriate temporary right to work check while the application was pending, allowing the employee to continue working lawfully.
The application was successfully granted within five weeks under the standard service.
Our Challenge
The employee's existing Skilled Worker permission was approaching expiry, making timely and accurate preparation essential.
A key part of the case was identifying the correct minimum salary for the sponsored role and ensuring that the employment arrangements continued to meet the Skilled Worker requirements.
There was also a need to ensure that the employer understood the employee's right to work position after the extension application was submitted and while the application remained under consideration.
How We Helped
We provided support to both the employee and sponsoring employer throughout the process.
We:
Identified the applicable minimum salary requirement for the role.
Advised the employer on the relevant Skilled Worker requirements.
Prepared and reviewed the extension application and supporting documentation.
Ensured the application was submitted before the employee's existing leave expired.
Advised the employer on completing the temporary right to work check while the application was pending.
Our Outcome
The Skilled Worker extension was successfully granted approximately three weeks after the biometrics appointment under the standard service.
The employee was able to continue working while the application was pending, with the employer having completed the appropriate right to work check.
This case highlights the value of obtaining immigration advice early, particularly where a sponsored employee's visa is approaching expiry. Careful preparation and timely submission helped the employer maintain compliance and provided the employee with continuity of employment in the UK.
