MPs will vote later on whether to ask the EU for permission to delay Brexit beyond the 29 March departure date.
It comes after MPs voted on Wednesday evening to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances.
Prime Minister Theresa May will also make a third attempt to get her EU withdrawal deal through Parliament in the next week – no date has been set.
The EU said there were two ways the UK could leave – with or without a deal, adding it was ready for either outcome.
The UK government said there could be a short delay to Brexit, or a much longer one, depending on whether MPs backed the prime minister’s existing withdrawal deal by 20 March – the day before the next EU summit.
If MPs approve Mrs May’s deal before that summit in Brussels, then the extension would be until 30 June.
However, the PM warned that if the deal – which has twice been rejected by overwhelming majorities – is not approved, a longer extension will be needed, requiring the UK to take part in elections for the European Parliament in May.
“I do not think that would be the right outcome,” said Mrs May. “But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken.” -BBC