UK visas extended to 31 July 2020 due to coronavirus
The Home Office has today announced that overseas nationals who cannot return home due to the coronavirus outbreak will be able to extend their visas or apply from within the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 July 2020.
Coronavirus Visa Extension
If you are in the UK and your leave has either expired or will expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, you can now request an extension of stay until 31 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).
If the coronavirus visa extension scheme applies to you, you must request an extension by updating your records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT). An extension is not automatic. You can contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team via an online form to let them know that your visa has expired and you will then be issued with an extension.
If your visa has already been extended to 31 May 2020 then your leave will be extended automatically to 31 July 2020.
Switching in-country to a long-term visa
There is also good news for those who want to apply for visas to stay in the UK long-term.
The Home Office has announced that overseas nationals whose leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020 can now apply from within the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 July 2020.
By way of example, this means that a person in the UK on a visit visa who may have been considering returning home to apply for a UK spouse or partner visa can now submit their application from within the UK until 31 July 2020, provided their leave is set to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020.
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are temporarily closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, it is still possible to submit long-term visa applications online, ready to be processed as soon as the application centres re-open.
Contact our Immigration Barristers
For expert advice and assistance regarding an application for a long-term visa to remain in the UK under the coronavirus visa extension policy, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our online enquiry form below.
