Home Office changes in light of Covid-19

The Home Office have introduced a number of changes and concessions in light of the current pandemic and as per Kevin Foster MP, Minster for Future Borders and Immigration, said in parliament on Monday 23 March 2020 their overriding principle is

“We are very clear that no one will have a negative outcome through the immigration system due to a circumstance that was beyond their control…We are looking at further measures…to ensure that no one is penalised because they followed the advice and did what they could to protect our NHS and save lives.”

Some of the changes for those in the UK include:

• Free visa extensions for NHS doctors, nurses and paramedics. This has now been extended to include other frontline health workers in the NHS and private sector. A specific list of professions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-frontline-health-worker-visa-extension  The concession covers those whose visas are due to expire before 1^st October 2020. They will receive a free 12 month extension, with no NHS surcharge payment and also applies to their family members. 
• Those whose leave to remain in the UK is ending between 24^th January 2020 and 31^st May 2020 and who were intending to leave the UK but now can’t due to the pandemic can apply for an extension of their leave if they contact the Home Office Coronavirus immigration team.
• Students who have applied for a Tier 4 student visa and are awaiting a decision on their application, can start their course before a decision has been made on their application if their course is with a Tier 4 Sponsor, they have a CAS, applied before their leave expired and the course is the same as on their CAS.
• Individuals in the UK can now switch categories where switching was not previously permitted. Those applying must still meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules and pay the relevant fees.
• Similar to students, those Tier 2 and Tier 5 applicants who have made a Tier 2/5 application before the expiry of their leave and are awaiting a decision, can start work beforehand as long as they have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), applied in time and the job is the same as listed on the CoS. 
• There is no longer a limit on the number of hours individuals can work or volunteer if they are a Tier4 student, Tier 2 worker with a second job in the NHS, visiting academic researcher holder of a short-term visa and are permitted to volunteer.
• The deadline for Pre-Registration nurses to sit their Occupational Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been extended to 31 December 2020.

No doubt as time goes on more changes will be made or further concessions introduced.

For help with any immigration issues please contact Melissa Southall m.southall@sydneymitchell.co.uk or Andre Minnaar a.minnaar@sydneymitchell.co.uk or call 0808 166 8827