Before you arrive

This page explains what you need to do before you visit a public enquiry office in the UK to use our premium service. We might not consider your application if you do not follow the guidance on this page.

Before you book an appointment, you should ensure that your application can be considered at a public enquiry office. See the Types of application page.

The process at the public enquiry office normally takes up to 90 minutes but may take longer - so you should make appropriate arrangements for parking if you are travelling by car. After the closing time for each office, you will not be able to leave the building and come back. See What will happen on the day? to find out how long you are likely to have to spend at the office.

When can you make your application?

We will consider any valid application to extend your visa, regardless of when you make it.

If you are applying for settlement (also known as 'indefinite leave to remain'), you will normally need to have lived in the UK for a specified length of time before you apply. This is called the 'qualifying period'. For more information, see the section of this website for your current immigration category. Do not apply for settlement more than 28 days before the end of your qualifying period. If your current permission to remain in the UK will expire before you qualify for settlement, you cannot yet apply - instead, you will need to apply for permission to extend your stay.

Booking an appointment

Public enquiry offices consider applications by appointment only. For more information, see the Booking an appointment page. If you arrive without an appointment, you will not be seen.

A limited number of appointments are available. If your visa or permission to remain expires soon and no appointments are available, do not use the premium service. Instead, you should send your application by post as quickly as possible.

Before you book your appointment, you should check that:

• you know which application form to complete;
• you can download and complete the application form before your appointment date; and
• you know which documents you will need to provide in support of your application, and you know that you will be able to obtain them all before your appointment date. If you are applying at the Croydon office, please bring the original documents and photocopies of them with you, or consideration of your case could be delayed. Photocopies do not need to be notarised or certified by a solicitor.

Application form and supporting documents

When you attend your appointment, you must bring:

• your payment sheet (if you pre-paid); and
• the correct application form, fully completed and with all the required documents.

If you fail to bring the correct documents we could cancel your appointment, and the appointment fee of £100 per applicant will not be refunded.

You can download the application form, and guidance on completing it, from the relevant section of this website.

If you are applying under Tier 4 of the points-based system, we might (depending on your nationality and your sponsor) consider that you are a 'low-risk' candidate - see the Documents for Tier 4 (General) and Documents for Tier 4 (Child) pages. If you are low-risk, you do not need to provide as much evidence to support your application, but we recommend that you bring all of the documents listed as required in our guidance. If we need to see a document and you do not have it, we might not be able to complete your application during your appointment.