Home Office
If youre in the UK
You are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to do so or apply to regularise your stay in the UK. You are allowed to access Visa and Immigration services as these are considered an essential public service. You must follow current COVID-19 rules for where you live, in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you intend to leave the UK to return to a country or territory but have not been able to do so and you have a visa, leave or exceptional assurance that expires before 30 November 2022 you may request additional time to stay, known as exceptional assurance.
Exceptional cases could include where you may be unable to return to a country or territory you are resident in, as that nation has closed their borders or where quarantine facilities are temporarily over-subscribed.
Please submit your request for an exceptional assurance by emailing cihassuranceteam@homeoffice.gov.uk with 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 showing reason you cant leave
The subject header of your email should read Request for an assurance.
In your email you should attach evidence to show why you cannot leave the UK. For example, evidence of your inability to book quarantine accommodation in your country of residence.
During the time in which your request for exceptional assurance is pending you will continue on the conditions as per your current or most recently expired visa.
If you are granted exceptional assurance it will act as a short-term protection against any adverse action or consequences after your leave has expired. If conditions allowed you to work, study or rent accommodation you may continue to do so during the period of your exceptional assurance. Exceptional assurance does not grant you leave. It is a means to protect those who are unable to leave the UK due to COVID-19 restrictions and not to facilitate travel, other than to return home.
If youve already been given assurance but your circumstances have changed or youre unable to leave the UK by the assurance date previously given, you must reapply using the process above. You will need to clearly state that youre making a subsequent application. Youll be asked to provide new supporting evidence.
If you intend to stay in the UK
In order to remain in the UK, you will need to apply for the relevant permission to stay. Where eligible, youll be able to submit a permission to stay application form from within the UK.
You can make an application for permission to stay in the UK if you hold permission in a route that would normally allow you to do so.
Youll need to meet the requirements of the route youre applying for and pay the UK application fee. You will not be able to apply for a route for which there is no provision in the Immigration Rules for making an in-country application, such as Youth Mobility Scheme, or Adult Dependant Relative.
The terms of your current permission will remain the same until your application is decided. If you are switching into work or study routes you may be able to commence work or study whilst your application is under consideration, depending on the terms of your current permission.
You are also able to apply for permission to stay to remain in the UK if you have been issued with an exceptional assurance. You must submit your application before the expiry of your exceptional assurance.
If you have overstayed your leave
If your visa or leave expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 August 2020 there will be no future adverse immigration consequences if you didnt make an application to regularise your stay during this period. However, if you have not applied to regularise your stay or submitted a request for an exceptional assurance you must make arrangements to leave the UK.
Application and service centres in the UK
UKVCAS Service Points are essential services and will remain open throughout the UK so customers can continue to book and attend appointments to progress their visa applications.
Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are essential services and remain open. SSCs are offering a reduced number of appointments because of coronavirus. As more appointments are made available UKVI will invite you to arrange an appointment by email or post.
If youre a Student or Child Student applicant in the UK and have given your fingerprints before
If youre applying in the UK as a Student or Child Student (including Tier 4 student), UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may be able to reuse your fingerprints.
If UKVI can reuse the fingerprints youve already given, youll be emailed with instructions on how to send them an image of your face and your supporting documents.
This will mean you do not have to attend a UKVCAS or an SSC service point appointment to provide biometric information.
If you cannot send the information through the instructions given, youll be able to book an appointment.
English language testing centres in the UK
You can book a test at most of the approved English Testing Centres in the UK.
For more information on how you can book your English Language Test, contact either:
- your test centre
- Trinity College London
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- LanguageCert website
- Pearson Test of English
If you have a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa and your business has been disrupted
You no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months. The 12 month period youre required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple jobs across different months but this must be equivalent to 2 full time jobs.
Time when your employees were furloughed will count towards the 12 month period if they have been paid at least 80% of their normal salary.
If youve not been able to employ staff for 12 months by the time your visa expires, youll be allowed to extend your stay for a further 2 years, if you can show:
- youve created at least 2 jobs by the date you apply
- youve been unable to employ staff for 12 months due to coronavirus
If you have a Start-up visa and your business has been disrupted
You can apply for additional leave of 12 months. This will allow your Start-up visa to go beyond the normal maximum 2-year period for a maximum of one additional year so you can continue developing your business against your agreed business plan. Applications for an additional year as a Start-up migrant under these arrangements will not be accepted after 30 September 2022.
You must meet the requirements of the route as normal, including being endorsed by an endorsing body. Your endorsing body must assess your business and be satisfied that reasonable progress has been made, taking into consideration the impact of coronavirus and that the business remains viable.
Your endorsing body must provide you with an endorsement letter. This must state it is an application for a temporary extension by completing the relevant sections and providing the required information, within the endorsement letter.
If youve applied for a Student or Child Student visa (including Tier 4 visas) and are waiting for a decision on your application
You can start your course or studies before y