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24 Feb Guidance in relation to Coronavirus

Posted on February 24, 2020 in Other Visas by
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On 17 February 2020, the Home Office published an immigration guidance for individuals in the UK who are unable to return to China due to the coronavirus situation.

For those Chinese nationals who are currently in the UK and their visa has recently expired or is about to expire (the expiry date is between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020), their leave will be automatically extended to 31 March 2020. Individuals do not need to do anything to obtain this extension, and they will not automatically receive a new visa or Biometric Residence Permit card. The Home Office will add the new expiry date (31 March 2020) to UK Visa Immigration’s system.

Non-Chinese, non-EEA nationals in the UK who normally reside in China, but are currently in the UK with a visa whose expiry date falls between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020, will have their leave automatically extended up to 31 March 2020 if they are able to provide evidence to show that they normally reside in China.

UK Visa Application Centres in China are currently closed. British nationals whose passport is at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in China, will not be able to arrange further delivery or collection of new/replacement passport. British nationals can apply for an emergency travel document from the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document if they need to travel urgently.

For Tier 4, Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsors, they do not need to report student or employee absences in relation to coronavirus which they have authorised. In addition, sponsors do not need to withdraw sponsorship if they consider there are exceptional circumstances when:

  • a student will be unable to attend for more than 60 days, or
  • an employee is absent from work without pay for four weeks or more.

 

For any other immigration enquires in relation to coronavirus, please contact Coronavirus Immigration Helpline on 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM) or email CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.

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.