People on UK visas currently in the country and unable to return home because of the coronavirus crisis will be able to extend their visas, applicable to anyone whose leave expired after January 24th.
Home secretary Priti Patel made the announcement, saying that this will last until May 31st, but regular reviews will be held should further extensions be necessary.
Many people have now found they are unable to go home since the outbreak because of border restrictions and flight cancellations, so this should give them more peace of mind that they won’t be hit with penalties for overstaying due to something so beyond their control.
A new COVID-19 immigration team has now been set up to ensure that the process is straightforward – and the Home Office has also expanded the in-country switching provisions temporarily.
This means that people will be able to switch routes, such as moving from a student to a general worker visa, while they’re still in the UK.
“The UK continues to put the health and wellbeing of people first and nobody will be punished for circumstances outside of their control. By extending people’s visas, we are giving people peace of mind and also ensuring that those in vital services can continue their work,” Ms Patel said.
A number of requirements regarding visa sponsors have also been waived, such as permitting non-EU nationals in the UK under work or study routes to carry on working from home.
Note, however, that those who get in touch with the Home Office to extend their visas will have to return to their home countries as soon as they can once flight and border restrictions are limited.
Advice from the government regarding COVID-19 is to stay at home and away from others, practising social distancing measures when outside.
By reducing day-to-day contact with others, you reduce the spread of infection, which is why – as of March 23rd – the government introduced three measures: requiring you to stay at home except for very limited reasons, closing some types of businesses and venues, and prohibiting the gatherings of two or more people in public.
Everyone in the UK now has to comply with these measures and the relevant authorities, including police forces all over the country, have now been given powers to enforce them.
You should now only be leaving the house and going outside for food, work (but only if you can’t work from home) or health reasons. If you do go outside, make sure you stay two metres away from other people at all times and wash your hands as soon as you get home.
Do not meet other people outside your household, even friends and family, and do not let others into your home.
For UK visa advice at this difficult time, get in touch with UKIVC today.