Following the lockdown extension, it was expected that the Home Office would implement further changes to the introduced Immigration Concessions. It is vital that migrants stay updated as these changes can both positively and negatively impact their leave in the United Kingdom. The changes to be aware of are as follows:
1) If your leave is expiring between 24th January 2020 and 31st 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 coronavirus (COVID-19). In order to request the extension you must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) and advise them of your circumstances. This will apply to individuals who wish to apply to remain in the United Kingdom on a short-term basis.
Individuals who have had their visa extended to 31st May 2020, will have their visas automatically extended to 31st July 2020. In circumstances where it is safe and possible to return to your home country you should do.
2) Applicants who are looking to apply to live in the United Kingdom for the long term. If you’re applying to stay in the UK long-term:
The previous cut of date to make such applications was 31st May. However, this has now been extended to 31st July 2020. You can apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 July 2020 if your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country such as Tier 5 to a Tier 2 (General) switch.
The requirements will still need to be met and the correct fee associated with the application will need to be paid. Individuals who are awaiting the outcome of their application can remain on the United Kingdom on the same terms of their current visa until a decision has been made.
3) Application and Service Centres in the UK remain closed:
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are temporarily closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19) but there is a phased re-opening of these offices from 1 June.
4) If you’ve applied for a Tier 4 visa and are waiting for a decision on your application;
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.
5) If you’ve applied for a Tier 2 or 5 visa and are waiting for a decision on your application:
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.
6) If you will be working at a different NHS site than your usual place of work because of coronavirus;
NHS Sponsored migrants can work at any NHS hospital during the coronavirus outbreak if their sponsor can maintain their sponsorship duties.
Sponsors will not need to notify UKVI of the change in your place of work.
During the pandemic, individuals can carry out supplementary work in any skill level with no restriction on the number of hours worked.
7) 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
8) If your 30 day visa to work, study or join family has expired:
If your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year.
To make a request, contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. You’ll need to include your name, nationality, date of birth and your GWF reference number with ‘REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA’ in the subject line.
Individuals will not be penalised for being unable collect your BRP while coronavirus measures are in place. This process will be in place until the end of 2020.
9)Individuals planning to travel to the United Kingdom must note that there will be a two-week quarantine period for anyone arriving in the UK from 8 June:
Passengers arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train – including UK nationals – will have to provide an address where they will remain for 14 days. There is a £100 penalty for anyone found to have not filled in this ”contact locator” form.
Surprise visits will be used to check they are following the rules. Those in England could be fined up to £1,000 if they do not self-isolate , while governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can also impose penalties.
Passengers will be asked to drive in their own car to their destination, where possible. If they don’t provide an address, the government will arrange accommodation.
If your Immigration status is affected by COVID-19, as always we do recommend you seek advice to ensure you are not in breach of your immigration status. We are offering a 10- minute free consultation during this pandemic. Please contact us on info@redfernlegal.com or call us on 0203 6179273.
Sonum Behar
sbehar@redfernlegal.com
