This is the latest information from the UKVI as to concessions currently being offered.  We have previously blogged on the previous changes.  This current change came out on the 16 November 2020.

As the UK and the world face challenging months with Covid 19, the Home Office / UKVI has set up a Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) and released the following guidance.

Family Applications – Financial requirement

If you have experienced a loss of income due to coronavirus up to 1 January 2021, the  Home Office / UKVI will consider employment income for the period immediately before the loss of income, provided the minimum income requirement was met for at least 6 months immediately before the date the income was lost.

If your salary has reduced because you are furloughed the  Home Office / UKVI will take account of your income as though you are earning 100% of your salary.

If you are self-employed, a loss of annual income due to coronavirus between 1 March 2020 and 1 January 2021 will usually be disregarded, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications.

Be careful here if you are self – employed.  I have highlighted their words “will usually”.  This means you are best to calculate your earnings or your accountant and consider your income before rushing ahead to make the application.  It may be that you can combine other income.  In any case you are best to get some advice. 

If you’re unable to provide specified documents

In some cases, the  Home Office / UKVI will be able to decide your application without seeing certain specified documents if you cannot get them due to coronavirus. Otherwise, you may be asked to submit the specified documents after the date of application.

Family Applications – English language requirement

If you are asked to take an English language test as part of your application, you can apply for an exemption if the test centre was closed or you could not travel to it due to coronavirus when you applied. Of course, you should provide evidence of the steps taken and that the test centre was closed and for how long.