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Public enquiry offices

This page explains what our public enquiry offices offer and where they are.

Please note that if you intend to pay for your application by cash you will need to bring the exact money as we are temporarily unable to give change.

Our public enquiry offices offer a same-day service, at a premium fee, for considering straightforward applications for permission to extend your stay in the UK or to stay here permanently (known as 'leave to remain' and 'settlement'). Public enquiry offices cannot consider complex applications.

Please note that our public enquiry offices are very busy, and appointments cannot be guaranteed before your current permission to stay has expired, so we strongly advise you to make your application by post where possible.

The offices do not handle enquiries or give advice. See What services are available? for more information and other contact details.

Services at public enquiry offices are:

  • by appointment only, so you must book an appointment before you come to any of our offices;
  • not normally available to citizens of the European Economic Area; and
  • limited to considering certain types of application.

Each office may offer slightly different services, facilities, and opening hours, so check the details of the one you want to attend.

The seven public enquiry offices are at:

  • Solihull
  • Croydon, south of London
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Sheffield
  • Belfast
  • Cardiff

The information we give on this website about making applications for an extension or settlement will tell you if you can do so at a public enquiry office. If you cannot make an application at one of the offices, you will need to post your application to us at the address given on the application form.

Service standards

Our published service standards describe how quickly we aim to decide different types of application. For charged applications made in person at a public enquiry office, our service standard says that we will decide 90 per cent of cases within 24 hours.

You should not book any travel until we have decided your case and returned all the necessary paperwork, including your passports and any decision letters, to you.

What services are available?

This page explains the types of applications you can normally make in person at our public enquiry offices.

What services are not available?

This page explains what our public enquiry offices cannot offer, and categories of people who cannot use their service.

Legal representatives' same-day service

This page explains the service available to legal representatives who wish to submit applications at public enquiry offices on behalf of clients.

Before you arrive

This page explains what you need to do before you visit one of our public enquiry offices. It is important that you follow this guidance as your application may not be considered if you do not.

How much does it cost?

This page explains the fees for making an application in person at a public enquiry office.

What will happen on the day?

This page explains the process you will follow when making an application at one of our public enquiry offices.

See also

Contact

More contacts