UPDATE
The UKVI has updated their guidance for individuals in the UK who are unable to return to their home countries and has issued an updated guidance for visa applicants in the UK as of 29 July 2020.
Individuals in the UK
If you are in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, your visa will be extended to 31 July 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to COVID-19.
With more travel restrictions being lifted globally, you will no longer be able to extend your visa automatically. You will be expected to take all reasonable steps to return to your home country as soon as it is safe and possible to travel or alternatively, apply to regularise your stay in the UK.
There will be no future adverse immigration if you didn’t make an application to regularise yourself if your visa expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 however, you must regularise your stay from 1 August if you wish to stay in the UK.
If you decide to leave the UK
To allow time to make the necessary arrangements to leave the UK, anyone who have a visa that was due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 will be given an extra months’ grace period within the UK to 31 August 2020.
You do not need to contact the Home Office to tell them that you will be leaving up until 31st August 2020.
If you intend to leave the UK but are not able to do so by 31 August 2020, you may request additional time to stay, also known as ‘exceptional indemnity’, by contacting the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT). This is not a grant of visa, but is seen as a short-term protection against any adverse action or consequences after your visa has expired.
The CIT will provide you with further advice on what you need to do to request an indemnity.
Switching to UK long term visa
If you are applying for a qualifying UK long-term visa, you can apply from the UK until 31 July 2020 if your current visa (including visit visa) expires between 24 January 2020 to 31 July 2020.
You will need to meet the application requirements and pay the UK application fee. Application is submitted online, and you are expected to complete your biometric enrolment at the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS).
Application and Service Centres in the UK
Some UKVCAS have reopened for existing customers.
If you have given your fingerprints before as part of your UK visa application, UKVI can reuse the same details for your new visa application. This will mean that you do not have to attend a UKVCAS or an SSC service point appointment to provide biometric information.
You will be emailed with instructions on how to send your image of your face and your supporting documents.
Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and business that has been disrupted
You no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months each. The 12-month period you are required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple jobs across different months.
Time when your employees is on furlough will not be counted towards the 12 month period.
If you have not been able to employ staff for 12 months in total by the end of your visa, you will be allowed to temporarily extend your visa to give you time to meet this requirement. It is not yet clear if this means that you will be required to apply for an extension based on the normal requirements.
Individuals who have applied for a Tier 4 visa and have yet to receive a decision
You can start your course or studies before your visa application has been decided if:
- your sponsor is a Tier 4 sponsor
- you have been given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)
- you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
- the course you start is the same as the one listed on your CAS
- you have a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if required
If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused you must stop your course or studies.
Individuals who have applied for a Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa and have yet to receive a decision
You can start work before your visa application has been decided if:
- you have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
- the job you start is the same as the one listed on your CoS
If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused your sponsor will stop sponsoring, you and you must stop working for them.
If you are working for the NHS
Some frontline health workers and their families will get their visas automatically extended because of coronavirus. If your visa is due to expire after 1 October 2020, you will need to apply to extend your visa as usual.
Changes are also being made on the visa conditions for some frontline health workers. These changes will apply if you work for the NHS or independent health and care providers as a:
- biochemist
- biological scientist
- dental practitioner
- health professional
- medical practitioner
- medical radiographer
- midwife
- nurse
- occupational therapist
- ophthalmologist
- paramedic
- pharmacist
- physiotherapist
- podiatrist
- psychologist
- social worker
- speech and language therapist
- therapy professional
You work at any NHS hospital during the coronavirus outbreak if your sponsor can maintain their sponsorship duties. Sponsors will not need to notify UKVI of the change in your place of work.
For frontline workers, you can also carry out supplementary work in any role at any skill level during coronavirus outbreak. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can work.
Changes to the current restrictions on the number of hours you can work or volunteer
There is no longer a limit on the number of hours you can work or volunteer each week if you are a:
- tier 4 student
- tier 2 worker and your NHS job is a second job
- visiting academic researcher
- holder of a short-term visa and are permitted to volunteer
If you’re a pre-registration nurse in the UK, the deadline for you to sit the Occupational Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been extended to 31 December 2020.
If you do not pass on the first attempt you will have until 31 May 2021 to pass the exam
Individuals outside the UK
If your 30-day visa to work, study or join family has expired
If you are still outside the UK and your 30-day visa travel to the UK has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with a revised validity dates free of charge until the end of the year.
You are required to contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre with your personal information and GWF reference number with ‘REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA’ in the subject line.
You will be contacted when the Visa Application Centres reopen to arrange for a replacement visa to be endorsed in your passport.
This process will be in place until end of 2020.
Individuals applying for a Global Talent, Start-up or Innovator visa
If your endorsement from an endorsing body has expired because you have not been able to travel to the UK you may still be eligible for a visa.
You should make your application as planned and the UKVI will consider all applications on a case by case basis.
Visa Application Centres outside the UK
All UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are still closed as of the date of writing. If you have an existing appointment, you will be contacted to informed you that your appointment will not take place. You will be contacted by the VAC’s once they reopen.
For updates to the status of VACs in your country, please contact:
- https://uk.tlscontact.com/ – for individuals in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
- https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/en – for individuals in all other countries
Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre
You can contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre by email at CIH@Homeoffice.gov.uk – your email must be in English.
Alternatively, you may contact 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Sincere Immigration will continue to update you on COVID-19 related updates.
SINCERE IMMIGRATION
