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26 May COVID-19 news update

Posted on May 26, 2020 in Investing in the UK by
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On 22 May 2020, the Home Office updated its COVID-19 Guidance.If you are in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, your visa will be extended automatically to 31 July 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Please note that migrants must request an extension by updating their records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) : https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/ho_form.html.

For those who have already had their leave extended to 31 May 2020, their leave will be automatically extended.

If you are applying to remain under a long-term visa category

Migrants can apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 July 2020 if their leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020. This includes applications where they would usually require to apply for an entry clearance in their home country.

Migrants, however, will need to meet the requirements of the route they are applying for and pay the UK application fees. The terms of your leave will remain the same until your application is decided.

Anyone arriving in the UK will have to quarantine for 14 days

On 22 May 2020, the Home Secretary Ms Priti Patel stated that any travellers arriving in the UK from abroad will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, and they will be fined up to £1,000 or removed from the UK if they fail to do so. The new rules will also apply to British citizens returning from abroad.

Any passengers arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train will need to fill out an online locator contact form. If they refuse, they may receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 in England. Border Force officers will also undertake spot checks at the border.

Some travellers will exempt from the UK border rules. Those travelling to the UK from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man will not need to complete the online contact locator form or self-isolate for 14 days.

Please also refer to the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules.

In addition, travellers will need to provide the UK Border Force officials with an address where they would self-isolate, otherwise accommodation would be arranged by the government.

The new rules will be implemented from 8 June 2020, and it will be subject to review after an initial three weeks.

IHS to be scrapped for overseas health staff and care workers

On 21 May 2020, the UK government announced that overseas NHS staff and health care workers will no longer have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

The IHS on non-EU migrants is currently £400 per year per person and is set to rise to £624 in October 2020.

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.