Covid-19: Relief for visa applicants in these testing times

On 6 April 2020 the Home Office published updated guidance in light of the latest developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

We summarise below some of the key points of the latest advice:

• Tier 1 Entrepreneurs with disrupted business are no longer required to employ a minimum of 2 people for 12 consecutive months each. The 12-month period can now be made up of multiple employees across different months however time spent whilst the employees are furloughed will not count towards this period. Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrants are now also allowed to temporarily extend their stay in order to enable them to meet the applicable requirements

• Migrants will now be able to request the Home Office to extend their visa until 31 May 2020 if they are in the UK and have their current visa expiring between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020. Requests must be sent to the Home Office’s coronavirus immigration team. Personal details will need to be provided together with an explanation as to why the migrant cannot leave the UK 

• Until 31 May 2020 eligible migrants will be able to submit in-country applications to switch to a long-term UK visa. Such migrants are no longer required to return to their home country in order to submit their applications

• Global Talent, Start-up or Innovator visa applicants with expired endorsement may still be eligible for a visa. Such migrants should submit their application as planned and the Home Office will consider such applications on a case by case basis

• The following services have now been suspended until further notice:

Life in the UK Tests

Citizenship ceremonies

Police Registration Scheme

Tier 2 and 5 Priority Service Lines

Service and Support Centres

Visa Application Centres (VAC) and UKVCAS centres

It is anticipated that further details will be published in the coming days and weeks.

At Montpelier Solicitors, we can assist both corporate and private clients in navigating the complex immigration rules. Please contact one of our immigration solicitors to arrange a free without obligation consultation.