Extending an UK C-Visit Visa, do I need BRP?

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From https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/490874/Visitor_guidance_v4_0.pdf:

Extensions for long-term and multiple-entry visit visas If a visitor holds a long-term multiple-entry visa and they want to stay for longer than the visa expiry date, it is possible for them to apply to extend their leave for up to the maximum 6 months permitted for visitors (standard). For example a visitor arrives in January and their long-term visit visa is due to expire in February. Provided the visitor meets the rules, they can extend for up to 6 months, until June, as a visitor (standard). A single entry or 6 month visa can also be extended to complete 6 months’ in the UK as a visitor.

This is aplicable if you have a long-term visa (2, 5 or 10 years), which is not the case here. I'll just leave it here as an information for others.

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There are no provisions in the rules for extending a Standard Visitor Visa (the UK type "C") except as below...

  • The visa was issued for a period less than 6 months and you want to extend to a full 6 months;

If you qualify, you can fill out an FLR(O) form and take it to the Home Office along with the £1,622 fee (yes you read it right, one thousand six hundred twenty-two pounds). They will keep the fee even if the application is refused. The main downside to FLR(O) is that they may revoke your visitor visa on "change of circumstances". They are entitled to do that and if they opt to do it you will be detained and removed.

Otherwise the visa expiry date is the last day which you can lawfully remain. It doesn't matter if the visa was issued for 6 months and you only used 1 month, the expiry date is a fixed and immutable point and does not 'float' according to the person's arrival date.

To extend beyond 6 months is not possible and you should submit a new application from your home country. Nothing prevents you from trying however. You can use one of the FLR applications, presumably FLR(O). The downside is that applications made by a visitor are non-suspensive so you become an overstayer on the visa expiry date or the decision date (if your existing leave is revoked) whichever is earlier.

For your other question, about getting a Biometric Residence Permit, you do not qualify for one because your visa was issued for a period less than (or equal to) 6 months.

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