UPDATED GUIDANCE CAN BE FOUND HERE
UK immigration is likely to continue to be affected as the situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) develops. The Home Office has created guidance and we would recommend checking it regularly for updates.
We have provided an overview below of the main current provisions.
Chinese nationals currently in the UK whose visa has recently expired, or is about to expire
If the expiry of leave to remain in the UK is between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020, and conditions of stay have been complied with, leave will automatically be extended until 31 March 2020. No action needs to be taken by the individual.
Non-Chinese, non-EEA nationals in the UK who are normally resident in China
If the expiry of leave is between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020, the individual is strongly advised to contact the dedicated helpline.
Providing they can demonstrate that they are normally resident in China, leave will be extended until 31 March 2020.
Chinese nationals in the UK whose leave was granted by Irish authorities (British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) or whose leave was granted by Crown Dependencies
If the expiry of leave is between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020, the individual is strongly advised to contact the dedicated helpline.
Switching to Tier 2 (General) in the UK
Chinese nationals in the UK on a Tier 2 (ICT) visa who wish to switch to a Tier 2 (General) visa can exceptionally apply to switch from inside the UK if their leave to remain under Tier 2 (ICT) has an expiry date between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020.
UK Visa Application Centres in China
These remain closed. VFS is updating its website.
Information for sponsor licence holders
Sponsors do not need to report authorised student or employee absences related to coronavirus. Sponsors can apply their usual rules to absences they class as authorised.
Sponsors do not need to withdraw sponsorship if they consider there are exceptional circumstances when:
- a student will be unable to attend for more than 60 days
- an employee is absent from work without pay for four weeks or more
The Home Office states that it
“recognises the current situation is exceptional and will not take any compliance action against students or employees who are unable to attend their studies/work due to the coronavirus outbreak, or against sponsors which authorise absences and continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences for this reason’.
The Home Office will keep this under review, especially if the length of absence may require a potential repeat of studies.
How we can assist
If you are looking for general guidance and information, you should contact the government’s Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre and you can find the details at the bottom of the page here.
If you are seeking legal advice and assistance regarding a specific immigration application or a sponsor licence matter during this time, please complete our enquiry form below and one of our team will be in contact with you.
If you are looking for information on whether or not you should travel generally, whether or not you may need to self-isolate and any other non-UK immigration law matters, we are unable to provide advice. We would recommend that you check the latest information from the FCO and PHE.
