UK extends visas until May 31 for foreigners stuck due to COVID-19

UK on Tuesday anunced extension of all expiring or expired visas of foreign nationals, including Indians, who are unable to return home due to Coronavirus pandemic until May 31.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said enforcement action will be taken against anyone caught up due to current stringent travel restrictions and that certain categories, such as overseas students from countries like India, would be temporarily allowed to switch ir visas from within UK instead of usual application rules of applying from ir home countries.

" UK continues to put health and wellbeing of people first and body will be punished for circumstances outside of ir control," said Indian-origin senior Cabinet minister.

"By extending people's visas, we are giving people peace of mind and also ensuring that those in vital services can continue ir work," she said.

extension will apply to anyone whose leave expired after January 24 and who cant leave country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation. It will last until May 31 in first instance but will be kept under regular review in case furr extensions are needed, Home Office said.

"Those who contact Home Office for se visa extensions will be expected to return to ir home countries as soon as possible once flight and border restrictions are lifted. immigration enforcement action will be undertaken during this time for those who email Home Office as outlined above," it ted.

To help those who want to apply for visas to stay in UK long-term, Home Office said it is temporarily expanding in-country switching provisions.

This will mean people can apply to switch routes, such as from Tier 4 (student) to Tier 2 (General Worker) whilst remaining in UK.

" extension has been put in place to give se individuals peace of mind that y will t be penalised for overstaying ir visa when situation is out of ir control due to COVID-19," Home Office said.

anuncement will come as a relief for Indian nationals, including tourists, professionals and students, who have inundated social media channels of Indian High Commission here with queries around ir expiring visas.

Like many foreign nationals, y have found mselves unable to return home due to flight cancellations and border restrictions over COVID-19.

Ar relief for Indian students and professionals would be Home Office confirmation that in light of current advice on self-isolation and social distancing, a waiver of number of requirements on visa sponsors on allowing n-EU nationals under work or study routes to undertake ir work or study from home.

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) department said it will continue to process applications as quickly as possible, however some applications may take longer than usual due to COVID-19 related operational pressures.

A dedicated COVID-19 immigration team has been set up within UKVI to make process as "straightforward" as possible, it said, calling on anyone in this situation to send emails to CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk to let m kw ir visa has expired and y will be issued with an extension.