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What to do if…
your visa or permission to stay expires before departure or you may have overstayed

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Check the exact expiry date and whether an application made before that date extended your permission. Before leaving, applying late, working or studying, get urgent advice from a regulated immigration adviser if your status is unclear.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume a flight booking extends your permission to stay.
  • Do not assume there is an automatic grace period after your permission expires.
  • Do not submit an unsuitable application simply to create more time.
  • Do not assume a late application restores your previous immigration status or conditions.
  • Do not assume you can continue working or studying after expiry unless you have confirmed that valid permission still applies.
  • Do not leave the UK without checking what this will do to any section 3C leave or pending permission-to-stay application.
  • Do not provide false dates or invent a reason for an overstay.
  • Do not delete travel records, cancellation notices, medical evidence or messages showing why an application or departure was delayed.
  • Do not rely on immigration advice from an adviser whose registration you cannot verify.

What to do now

  1. Sign in to your UKVI account and check your eVisa. Compare it with your decision email or letter, passport records and any application confirmation. Write down the exact permission expiry date and your planned departure date.

  2. Check whether you submitted a valid in-country application to extend or vary your permission before it expired. If you did, section 3C may have extended your permission automatically while the application was pending, usually with the existing conditions continuing. It can also continue during the period in which an eligible in-country appeal or administrative review can be brought, and while that appeal or review is pending.

  3. Check the current status of any application, appeal or administrative review. Keep the submission confirmation, payment receipt, reference number and every Home Office decision or request.

  4. Before departing, check the effect on your status and any pending application. If you are relying on section 3C leave, leaving the UK ends that leave. Separately, a permission-to-stay application that has not been decided is generally treated as withdrawn if you travel outside the Common Travel Area.

  5. If your permission has expired and section 3C or another form of permission does not apply, treat the situation as a possible overstay. Contact an Immigration Advice Authority registered adviser or an appropriately regulated immigration solicitor urgently.

  6. If you are considering a late application, get regulated advice before submitting it. A period of no more than 14 days may be disregarded for some applications where there was a good reason beyond your control for applying late, but this is not automatic and does not give you section 3C leave.

  7. Gather records of anything beyond your control that delayed your application or departure. Relevant records may include hospital documents, flight cancellation notices, evidence of an unavailable travel document or records of a serious technical problem.

  8. If you intend to depart, confirm that your passport or travel document is valid and identify the earliest practical journey. Keep your booking, cancellation and rebooking records.

  9. If your eVisa shows the wrong status or expiry information, report the error through the official eVisa service and save the confirmation.

  10. If you have no permission to remain and cannot arrange your documents or journey, check whether the Voluntary Returns Service can assist. Seek independent immigration advice first if you may have a basis to remain or returning could place you at risk.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now which future visa route to use, whether you will later return to the UK or how to present the situation in a future application. First confirm your current status, preserve your records, understand the effect of departure and obtain regulated advice where needed.

Important reassurance

A passed or uncertain expiry date needs prompt attention, but the position depends on the exact dates, the type and validity of any application, and the reason for any delay. Checking the records now is more useful than guessing or avoiding the situation.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Decisions about a late application, departure, appeal, administrative review, future entry or a claim based on family life, human rights, protection or medical circumstances may require specialist immigration advice.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules are detailed and can change, and advice must take account of your documents, dates and personal circumstances.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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