I have received a number of emails from different people facing different situations.  These next few blogs are the latest information from the UKVI as to concessions currently being offered. This was published on the 19 May 2021.  We have previously blogged on the previous changes.

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

In the UK

If you are in the UK and can leave the UK, you are expected to do so. This statement has been repeated throughout last year too.  BUT If you are in the UK AND cannot leave, then you should make an application to regularise your stay.

If you are in the UK and would like to leave or have tried to leave the UK but have not been able to leave and your visa expires by 30 June 2021, then you can apply to the Home Office for “exceptional Assurance”.  This is done by completing an online form explaining your details and the situation.  The Home Office will consider the application and can grant you what they call “exceptional assurance” .

The term “exceptional assurance” is not granting leave but acts as safety net for the future.  It prevents any adverse or any consequences arising from you staying longer in the UK after your visa has expired.  The Home Office / UKVI refer to this as a “short term protection”. This means that you should not be classed as an ‘overstayer’ (someone who is in the UK illegally).

What You Need To Do

You need to email – cihassuranceteam@homeoffice.gov.uk

In the email the subject header of your email should read “Request for an assurance”.

In the main body of the email, give the Home office the following details:

• full name
• date of birth
• nationality
• Home Office, GWF or any other reference number
• type of visa
• expiry date of visa
• reason for request
• evidence of flight or evidence showing reason you can’t leave

The online application will request documents and evidence as to why you cannot leave so it is important to keep hold of your evidence such as cancelled flights or you have tested positive for Covid 19 and are isolating.  You should also attach any evidence to the email you are sending the Home Office.

While you are waiting for a decision your conditions of your visa will remain in place.  If your visa does not permit you to work then you cannot go and work.  You must wait for a response from the Home Office.  The Home Office will let you know how long you may remain in the UK.  If by that date you are still unable to leave the UK, you must email them again or make an application to regularise your stay.

If you are in the UK and had intended to leave the UK to make an application from abroad, you can apply from within the UK but must meet the requirements for that visa and pay the appropriate fee.  You can also apply if you were previously granted ‘exceptional assurance’.

The UKVI also state that those who had a visa that expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 August 2020 there are no adverse consequences for you if you did not apply to regularise your stay in the UK.  However, you need to take the above steps, either leave the UK or make an online application for “exceptional assurance” or applying for your next visa.

Fingerprints and Biometrics

If you have had your fingerprints and biometrics taken before, you may not need to attend a UKVCAS appointment.  It is possible for the Home Office to use your previous data. An email will be sent to you if this applies to your situation.  However, most Application Centres have reopened.  You can check this at the end of your online application form process. There may also be a possibility to enrol biometrics at the Post Office. This is s a changing situation and you should follow the steps on the online system.

English Test Centres

If you need to book and English test the links and information is below:

• Trinity College London (https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (https://www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a- test-location/location-list/united-kingdom/ukvi)
• LanguageCert website (https://www.languagecert.org/uk-visa-exams)
  Pearson Test of English (https://pearsonpte.com/)

Tier 1 Entrepreneur

Currently the Home Office do not require you to prove that you have employed 2 people as required under this visa.  This is due to businesses that have been affected by the Pandemic.  However, the Home Office will accept employees that have been furloughed as meeting this requirement.  The Home Office is proposing extra time so extending your visa so that you can employ 2 people for 12 months consecutively.

Tier 4 – Students Visas

You can start your course or studies before your visa application has been decided if:

• your sponsor is a Student sponsor
• you have been given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)
• you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
• the course you start is the same as the one listed on your CAS
• you have a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic- technology-approval-scheme) (ATAS) certificate if required

If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused you must stop your course or studies.

Working visas

This now includes the new working visa categories:

• Skilled worker Visa
• Health and care worker Visa
• Intracompany transfer Visa
• Tier 2 and
• Tier 5

You can start work before your visa application has been decided if:

• you’ve been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
  • you’re applying under the Health and Care visa
  • it was assigned before 1 January 2021

• you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
• the job you start is the same as the one listed on your CoS

If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused your sponsor will stop sponsoring you and you must stop working for them.

If your CoS is assigned from 1 January 2021 and you are not applying under the Health and Care visa, you must wait until your visa application has been granted before starting work, unless your current visa allows you to work in that job.

Need UK Immigration Advice? 

Email on info@4alaw.com for help from Jes for your personal situation. Follow 4A Law for more advice on UK visas and immigration.