Personal service
13 JULY 2020
During these times of unprecedented uncertainty, this page of our website will be updated regularly to bring you the latest news we have on visas, travel and immigration in general
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE Free Immigration Advice & Consultations
Free consultations now available with International Visas.
In these unprecedented times, it can be helpful just to get some clarity around your immigration / visa situation.
We have always offered free initial consultations for general enquiries but from now until July 31st
(at least), we are offering detailed telephone advice free of charge.
This is by appointment via our website contact page or info@i-vars.com (or direct if you have specific contact info).
Look forward to hearing from you - in the meantime, regular updates continue below.
As things develop so rapidly, it seems inappropriate to retain this newsletter page as a monthly update, so for the time being we will put the latest developments up here as we become aware of them.
It is likely that only this section will change and the stories and features below will remain for their usual time at least. The situation continues to change regularly so do feel free to contact us if you have a specific question or concern.
We are continuing to work as normal (taking additional hygiene precautions as advised) and given that the vast majority of our customer contact is via telephone, email, WhatsApp, Skype etc, we will continue to do so but face to face consultations at our offices in Milton Keynes are not currently available.
July 13th - the special guidance has been amended to allow people on work visas and other routes to make applications within the UK even if their visas expire after July 31st. Please contact us for more information. The Home Office has published updated information on the Employer Sponsorship scheme (Tier 2 and 5) that will be in place from January 2021. The scheme will be open for applications from the Autumn. Key principles are that it will be a little more open and flexible but will apply to people for the EU as well as the rest of the world. UKVCAS are currently dealing with applications from May (so are catching up slowly!)
June 9th - temporary changes to family and financial requirements. Anyone in the UK as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner can now apply to extend their visa until July 31st or later to allow the ceremony to take place. Anyone whose income has been adversely affected by coronavirus will be treated flexibly in terms of meeting financial requirements. Additional flexibility will be applied for missing documents or English tests directly caused by logistical issues relating to coronavirus
May 28th - UKVCAS centres will commence a phased re-opening from June 1st, beginning with major city offices. No appointments are available yet but this will change shortly. Similarly, some overseas Visa Application Centres (run by either TLS or VFS) will re-open soon, as will English Language testing centres. Please contact us for more information on any of the above.
May 22 - All visas which expire before 31 July 2020 will now be automatically extended to that date if you are unable to return to your country. Similarly, in-country applications will now be allowed for people who can't apply from outside the UK for longer term visas.
May 22
- the UK Government has announced plans to exempt Health and Care Workers from the IHS (NHS Surcharge). This is currently £400 per person per year, and due to rise to £624 in October. More details to follow
As of May 21, the situation remains unchanged but we anticipate some movement in the next 5 days.
New partners have been approved for Secure English Language Testing for visa applications - including Language Cert (www.languagecert.org) - they are taking pre-bookings for tests in July.
The UK Government's new Immigration Bill is currently going through Parliament - this sets out the framework for an extension to the points-based work visa system to include all people from outside the UK. There is currently much media frenzy regarding the exclusion of lower-skilled workers who perform essential tasks in the UK but would be excluded by the new rules.
As of May 5th, the situation remains unchanged. However, it is expected that as draft plans for the UK to move out of lockdown begin to be published - ahead of a planned announcement from the Prime Minister on May 10th - some key updates will be issued next week.
On April 6th, the Home Office issued the following update:
- UKVCAS centres are closed, as are all overseas processing centres
- You no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months each. The 12 month period you are required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple employees across different months.
- Time when your employees were furloughed will not count towards the 12 month period
- If have not been able to employ staff for 12 months in total by the time your visa expires, you will be allowed to temporarily extend your stay to give you time to meet the requirement.
If you’re a doctor, nurse or paramedic working for the NHS:
- Your visa will be automatically extended by one year if it is due to expire before 1 October 2020. Family members with a visa due to expire before 1 October 2020 will also have their visa extended.
- The extension is free and you will not have to pay the immigration health surcharge.
- You do not need to apply. UKVI will contact NHS employers to identify staff eligible for this extension and will tell you and your employer if you have received an automatic extension.
If you are applying for a Global Talent, Start-up or Innovator visa:
- If your endorsement from an endorsing body has expired because you have not been able to travel to the UK you may still be eligible for a visa.
- You should make your application as planned and UKVI will consider all applications on a case by case basis.
As of March 25th, the Home Office issued the following update:
If you’re in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020
Your visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).
You must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) to update your records if your visa is expiring, providing the following information:
- your full name (include any middle names)
- date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
- nationality
- your previous visa reference number
- why you can’t go back to your home country, for example if the border has closed
They will advise you when your request is received and when your visa has been extended.
If you’re applying to stay in the UK long-term
You’ll be able to apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country and anyone whose visa has already been extended to March 31st in the first wave of such measures. The same eligibility criteria and fees will apply.
Coronavirus Helpline:
0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.
We are offering specially reduced rates and a completely flexible service for Tier 2, 5 or 4 Sponsors (often not large businesses) who are finding themselves stretched to cope with day to day administration of their Sponsor Management System and associated compliance responsibilities. If you are in this category, do please let me know if we can help you.
In these difficult times for the whole world, it is easy to feel isolated and unable to control events around you.
Please be assured that we are here to offer advice and to share our thoughts whenever you need us.
Do feel free to contact me by phone or email at any time – or via our website at www.i-vars.com
Chris Mills
01908 470859 | chris.mills@i-vars.com | 07734 104848
UK VISAS & IMMIGRATION
IHS Surcharge to rise in October
In a move that was a little overlooked in the headlines about fiscal stimulation from the latest budget (and of course everything that has happened since), Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced that the IHS Surcharge, which is currently payable as part of most visa applications at the rate of £400 per year, will rise to £624 from October.
Coronavirus (Covid 19) Impact
In February, the Government announced some new measures, specifically aimed at Chinese nationals in the UK who may not have been allowed home following the outbreak of the virus.
These measures included an automatic extension of visitor visa expiry dates to March 31st; removal of the need for employers or colleges to report absences of Tier 2, Tier 5 and Tier 4 visa holders if they are as a result of measures taken to combat the virus and an easing of the rules for people switching categories.
We anticipate that these measures will be extended to other foreign nationals affected by the virus so please keep in touch
Brexit and EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme has now had over 3 million applications and the Government published its bill ending freedom of movement and introducing the new principles for UK immigration at the beginning of March.
Clearly all these arrangements are subject to change and possible delay as events unfold
Is Your Visa Close To Expiry?
The Government has established a freephone number and email address for people affected by the global disruption to travel as a result of the coronavirus.
Details below:
Coronavirus Immigration Helpline
Telephone: 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Calls are free of charge.
Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk
Due to Data Protection Regulations we can only speak to the visa holder or applicant about their specific query.
If you are a third party (for example family member or sponsor) and wish to speak on their behalf, we must have the visa holder’s permission. This can be provided by verbal consent to the coronavirus immigration helpline or written consent via email. The email to verify consent must be sent from the email address provided on the visa holder’s application to CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk to enable us to provide a response. Without consent we are unable to discuss person-specific details with a third party.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
EU Travel Ban
At the time of publication, the total number of cases of coronavirus globally has gone past 200,000. The EU has introduced a ban on entry for travellers from outside (the UK remains included as an EU country during the transition period).
Photo by Frederick Tublemont on Unsplash
FCO Advises Against All Non-Essential Travel
The Foreign Office has advised UK citizens not to travel internationally unless it is essential
Chinese cases being to slow
The number of new cases of Covid-19 in China is beginning to show a significant slow-down
Photo by Edward He on Unsplash
OTHER NEWS
Events of Interest
It is unlikely that any major events will take place for the next 2-3 months at least, with all major sporting and cultural events postponed or cancelled and many bans internationally on any mass gatherings
Latest Guides from International Visas
We publish and update guides to a variety of UK visas and these are available free of charge to our customers.
In the past month we have published the following:
•Representative of Overseas Business
• Start-up and Innovator
• Tier 2 Sponsor Compliance
If you would like a copy of any of the above or a guide on any other UK visa please get in touch
Success Stories & Testimonials
It is always tremendously gratifying to hear of our clients (and friends!) successfully completing their applications.
Recent highlights have included a number of family settlement applications completed successfully and our successful track record for Representative of Overseas Business continues. We have also been delighted to work with a number of successful applicants for the Start-up and innovator visas.
New Partnership - US visa advice
We have entered into an informal arrangement with renowned US law firm Ellis Porter to refer complex immigration cases to them in order to provide a seamless service for our clients who wish to explore the possibilities of moving to the USA, either for work or to join family.
Please contact us if this is of interest.
