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Work Permit Extension
A Work Permit extension allows a UK employer to extend the term of an employees work permit.Why are extensions required?
Although the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) can approve a work permit for a period of up until 5 years they quite often limit the approval term. New employers are normally limited to approvals of 18 months in duration while work permit holders working on client sites may be limited to the term of the service contract to which they have been initially assigned..When should a Work Permit extension application be made?
Applications should be submitted to the BIA at least one month before the work permit holders leave to remain expires but no more than three months before this date. If a work permit extension is submitted more than three months before LTR expires a detailed explanation is required as to why.Making an application
Employers making work permit extension applications should use form WP1X to state why and for how much longer they intend to employ the work permit holder. Further company documentation is not normally required, unless the initial approval was limited to 18 months due to the company being a start-up, in which case audited accounts should be sent. A recruitment search is also not required providing the role remains substantially the same as the one for which the original permit was approved..While under application the work permit holder can continue to work for the employer so long as he or she continues to have valid leave to remain in the UK. Once a letter of permission has been granted by the BIA the holder should apply for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) immediately. Where an extension application is not approved the work permit holder may only work up until existing leave to remain expires.
Multiple Entry Work Permits cannot be extended.
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