Is your immigration status in the UK affected by COVID-19?

The British government have taken a number of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 disease. This may have affected your travel to and from the UK and in some cases even your immigration status if you are in the UK on an expiring visa and unable to leave because of travel restrictions.

On 24 March 2020, the UK Government updated the immigration guidance for those affected by Coronavirus travel restrictions. We advise all our clients that due to the situation changing rapidly, to please check the latest developments before travelling.

The guidance issued today, at the time of writing this, 24 March 2020, states that:

If you’re in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020

Your visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19). You must contact the Home Office with the relevant data and evidence as well as information about why you are unable to leave the UK. 

If you’re applying to stay in the UK long-term – switching in-country

During these unique circumstances you’ll be able to apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country.

You’ll need to meet the same visa requirements and pay the UK application fee.

This includes those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020 (under the previous guidance mostly affecting Chinese nationals and residents).

At Osbourne Pinner we fully understand that many businesses are adversely affected by the spread of the coronavirus. We are therefore offering flexible payment plans to our clients.