COVID-19: Visas extended, other measures implemented to ease immigration requirements 

IMPACT – HIGH

The government has announced visa extensions and other measures to ease immigration requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points:

• Leave has been extended to May 31 for those whose leave expires between Jan 24 and May 31, and who are unable to return to their home country because of COVID-19 travel restrictions or quarantine.
• The Home Office is temporarily expanding in-country switching provisions until May 31 for those wishing to apply for a visa to stay in the U.K. long term, e.g., from Tier 4 (Student) to Tier 2 (General Worker), while remaining in the U.K.
• Visa sponsors may allow non-EU nationals currently in the U.K. for study or work to study or work from home.
• Many U.K. Visa Application Centres (VAC) abroad remain closed or are offering limited services. Appointments for applicants at a VAC that is now closed will be canceled. Affected applicants in Europe, the Middle East and Africa can contact TLS contact, and all other applicants abroad can contact VFS global for more information.
• British nationals abroad who require a passport, and whose local VAC is closed, can apply for an emergency travel document should they need to travel urgently.

Additional information: The Home Office will continue to review the situation and may extend the current date accordingly. UKVI has set up a COVID-19 immigration team to assist with the visa-extension process, and those whose visa has expired can contact the team via email for help with their extension. Deloitte can also support with this process. For more information and advice regarding immigration and the COVID-19 virus, visit the gov.uk website.

Analysis & Comments: The visa extension policy is good news for employers and their foreign national employees, as it should lessen compliance concerns amid travel restrictions and quarantine measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign nationals who avail themselves of the visa extension policy, however, are reminded that they must return to their home country as soon as possible once travel restrictions are lifted. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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