Extant leave: ECB22
Updated 14 June 2016
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Applicants who already have entry clearance may submit applications for further entry clearance, but they are not allowed to have more than one form of leave at the same time. Applicants should be made aware of this and the implications of an application for further leave.
0.1 Granting further entry clearance
If the application is granted and the applicant already has entry clearance beyond the start date of their new visa, they should be told that the extant leave will be cancelled and no refund issued.
The entry clearance should be crossed out by writing “Recommend cancel without prejudice” diagonally across the redundant visa (in red ink), make a note in Proviso and then grant fresh entry clearance in the same passport as the previous leave.
If an applicant has a biometric residence permit (BRP) with extant leave, the entry clearance officer (ECO) should retain it for cancellation and contact Biometric Immigration Document Management Unit to cancel the BRP.
0.2 Refusing further entry clearance
If the application for new leave is refused, the refusal notice should be processed as usual. If there has been a change of circumstances since the original visa was issued, the ECO should consider cancelling the extant leave and advise the applicant not to travel without new entry clearance.
If an application is refused under general grounds for refusal the existing entry clearance should be considered for revocation.
For more information about revoking entry clearance, see ECB18.