ECB22 - Extant Leave

Entry Clearance basics (ECB) This is internal guidance for use by entry clearance (visa) staff on the handling of visa applications made outside the UK. It is a live document under constant review and is for information only.

ECB22.1 Extant Leave

Applicants who already hold one form of entry clearance may submit applications for further entry clearance. It should be noted that applicants are not allowed to have two forms of leave at the same time.
Should the applicant fall to be issued, and the applicant is happy for their extant leave to be cancelled then the new entry clearance can be put in the same passport as the previous leave.
If the applicant does not wish to have their previous entry clearance cancelled then, as long as the new visa is for a short time i.e. six months or less, then the entry clearance officer may issue both forms of leave.
If the application is granted then the extant leave should be struck out by writing "Recommend cancel without prejudice" diagonally across the redundant visa (in red ink), make a note in Proviso and then grant fresh leave.
Should the application fall for refusal, the refusal notice should be processed as usual and the applicant should be advised not to travel without new leave (unless they can show to the Immigration Officer that their circumstances have not changed).
In certain circumstances, for example, if the second application for entry clearance is refused under general grounds, then the extant leave should be revoked. For more information regarding how to revoking entry clearance please see ECB18.

For information about the work of the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network and how to contact them, please see the How the Risk and Liaison Overseas Network can help you page.