Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

An individual’s visa will be automatically extended by one year if it is due to expire before 1 October 2020. Family members with a visa due to expire before 1 October 2020 will also have their visa extended.

The extension is free and they will not have to pay the immigration health surcharge.

Individuals do not need to apply. We will contact NHS employers to identify staff eligible for this extension.

We will notify the individual and their employer if they have received an automatic extension.

There is no longer a limit on the number of hours an individual can work or volunteer each week if they work for the NHS as a doctor, nurse of paramedic and they are a:

• Tier 4 student
• Tier 2 worker and their NHS job is a second job
• visiting academic researcher
• holder of a short-term visa and are permitted to volunteer

If an individual is a pre-registration nurse currently in the UK, the deadline for them to sit the Occupational Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been extended to

31 December 2020.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

If an individual is on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and their business has been disrupted, they no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months each.

The 12 month period they are required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple employees across different months.

Time when their workers were furloughed will not count towards the 12 month period.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

If an individual applied for a Tier 2 or 5 visa and are waiting for a decision on an application.

Individuals can start work before a visa application has been decided if:

• an individual have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• an individual submitted an application before their current visa expired and show evidence to their sponsor of this
• the job they start is the same as the one listed on their CoS

If an individual’s application is eventually refused the sponsor will stop sponsoring the them and individual must stop working for the sponsor.

We are aware that many workers sponsored under the Tiers 2 and 5 immigration routes are now working from home rather than their normal workplace due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tiers 2 and 5 sponsors are normally required to notify us of such changes of circumstances. However, due to the current exceptional situation, we will not require sponsors to do so if working from home is directly related to the pandemic. Other changes must still be reported as usual.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

If an individual applied for a Tier 4 visa and are waiting for a decision on an application.

If an individual applied for a Tier 4 visa and are waiting for a decision on an application

An individual can start their course or studies before a visa application has been decided if:

• an individual’s sponsor is a Tier 4 sponsor
• an individual have been given a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS)
• the individual submitted an application before their current visa expired and show evidence to their sponsor of this
• the course they start is the same as the one listed on their CAS
• the individual have a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if required

If an individual’s application is eventually refused the individual must stop their course or studies.

Tier 4 students are not normally permitted to undertake distance learning courses. However, due to the current exceptional circumstances, we will not consider it a breach of sponsor duties to offer distance learning to existing Tier 4 students in the UK or who have chosen to return overseas but wish to continue their current studies. Sponsors do not need to withdraw sponsorship in these circumstances. If a student has permanently withdrawn from, or formally deferred, their studies, the usual reporting requirements apply.

New international students who have been issued a Tier 4 visa but have been unable to travel to the UK are permitted to undertake distance learning and sponsorship does not need to be withdrawn.

New international students who have not yet applied for a visa but wish to commence a course by distance learning do not need to travel to the UK to do so and therefore do not require sponsorship under Tier 4.

These arrangements apply initially until 31 May, by which date they will be reviewed.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

We have also temporarily suspended Priority and Super Priority services for UK customers.

We will aim to meet the Priority/Super Priority service standard if an individual has already enrolled their biometrics. They will get an email when a decision has been made, followed by a decision letter.

If we are not able to make a faster decision on an application due to the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on processing standards we will contact the individual and refund the priority service fee they paid.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are temporarily closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19). An individual’s immigration status will not be negatively affected as a result of them not being able to attend an appointment.

If an individual already made an appointment to attend a UKVCAS service point, or a Service and Support Centre (SSC), they’ll be contacted and told what to do next. Their immigration status will not be negatively affected as a result of them not being able to attend an appointment.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

If the individual already has leave in the UK and planned to remain and apply to extend their leave when it expired, they must continue to do this.

No individual who is in the UK legally and whose visa expired after 24 January 2020, or is due to expire, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future if they cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19.

A visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if an individual cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Individuals must update their records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) if their visa is expiring and were not planning to stay in the UK.

The Coronavirus Immigration Team will aim to reply to an individual’s application within 5 working days.

Individuals do not need to do anything else once they have submitted the online e-form and their status in the UK is secure from the point they have submitted. This requirement to contact Coronavirus Immigration Team applies to individuals of any nationality whose leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 30 May 2020.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

An individual can apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May 2020. This includes applications where they would usually need to apply for a visa from their home country.

They will need to meet the requirements of the route they are applying for and pay the UK application fee.

This includes those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020.

They can apply online. The terms of their leave will remain the same until their application is decided.

Published G4I date: 29 March 2020

If you hold a UK visa and you are normally required to depart the UK before being permitted to apply for a new entry visa, you now have the Home Office permission to apply within the UK. The current deadline date to apply under COVID-19 is the 31 May 2020.

See below Question 'If you’re in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020' on how to register with the Home Office or contact us for guidance.

Published G4I date: 29 March 2020

If you submitted a new visa application to the Home Office and you are waiting for a decision, or you cannot attend your biometrics appointment, these are the current rules depending if you submitted an 'In-Time' application or -Out of Time' application'.

If you have a valid visa at the time you submitted your 'In-Time' application, your immigration status that you were on carries on. Example, if you were on a Tier 2  visa and you submitted with a Tier 2 for another employer (you can only for your current and not new Tier 2 employer). If you were on Tier 4 student visa and applying for Tier 2 or applying to be on your partner visa as their dependant, you remain under the immigration rules of Tier 4.

If you did not have a valid visa and you applied for a visa to remain in the UK, unless the Home Office states otherwise,  you cannot work until your new visa has been approved.

Published G4I date: 28 March 2020

UKVCAS officially announced by email to our clioetns on the 28 March 2020 the following statement:

Email dated 28/03/2020 @ 16:42

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services

The worldwide response to COVID-19 continues to affect the UK’s Visa and Immigration Service. As a result, the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS), led by Sopra Steria on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), has suspended all services to help protect the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff. This will remain under review with UKVI as the situation evolves.

Your appointment will therefore need to be rescheduled. You do not have to do anything. UKVCAS will automatically reschedule your appointment.

Initially appointments will be rescheduled for around 6 weeks ahead of your original appointment. Please monitor your UKVCAS account to find out when your new appointment has been scheduled for.

Use the following link to log on to your account at any time Log in to UKVCAS account.

If you can’t make the rescheduled appointment, you can cancel this online and receive a full refund. However, you will not be able to rebook until the online booking system reopens.

Alternatively, you can wait until the online booking system reopens when you will be able to see all available appointments.

UKVI has now issued guidance that all foreign nationals whose permission to stay in the UK expired from 24th January 2020 may access a visa extension until 31st May 2020 therefore you will not be disadvantaged in any way due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Please refer to UKVI’s Immigration Guidance at GOV.UK for more information on accessing this extension.

The health and safety of our customers, staff and the public remain UKVI’s and Sopra Steria’s priority at this time.

UKVCAS Customer Services

Published G4I date: 27 March 2020

If you need to leave the UK but you cannot as your visa will expire or, you concerned you cannot extend your current visa due to COVID-19, you must email the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) as many of their support team are now working from home. Avoid calling their dedicated contact number.

Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk

Need expert help?

If you were supposed to leave the UK and apply for a new 'Leave to Enter' visa, you might be able to apply within the UK under the new immigration rules. If you need to extend your visa whilst under COVID-19 restrictions, contact our firm and we can explain how we can help you.

Published G4I via ILPA dated 26 March 2020

Yes you can under these extreme circumstances. The Home Office has informed ILPA that they plan to announce a policy on the rules of such applications.

Need expert help?

If you want or need to submit a visa whilst in the UK, we can help you prepare your application and explain in your visa support letter why you were unable to provide certain documents and what immigration rule(s) you likely to fall under. 

Depending on the Home Office guidance when published, we will ensure you are protected.

Published G4I date: 26 March 2020

As long as you submitted an 'In-Time' visa application, your biometrics can be booked once UKVCAS permits appointments unless the Home Office states otherwise. 

Currently you must book a biometrics appointment with UKVCAS within 45 days of submitting your visa application but due to COVID-19, the 45 day rule has been put on hold.

We will update this page when we know more.

Published GOV.UK date: 24 March 2020

Visa nationals who cannot return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to extend their visa.

The extension, announced today (24 March) by the Home Secretary Priti Patel, will apply to anyone whose leave expired after the 24 January and who cannot leave the country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation.

This will last until 31 May but will be kept under regular review in case further extensions are needed.

A dedicated COVID-19 immigration team has been set up within UKVI to make the process as straightforward as possible. Anyone in this situation just needs to contact this team, via this email address CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk, to let them know their visa has expired and they will be issued with an extension. Read more.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

It is very important you contact the COVID-19 immigration team before 31 May 2019 deadline unless extended. If you miss the deadline, you could become an overstayer.

Published GOV.UK date: 24 March 2020

Your visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

You must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) (Telephone: 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)) to update your records if your visa is expiring. Try and email and avoid calling due to Home Offcie staff working from home.

You should provide:

• your full name (include any middle names)
• date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
• nationality
• your previous visa reference number
• why you can’t go back to your home country, for example if the border has closed.

We’ll let you know when your request is received and when your visa has been extended.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

It is very important you contact the COVID-19 immigration team asap and if you miss the deadline, you could become an overstayer.

Published GOV.UK date: 24 March 2020

During these unique circumstances you’ll be able to apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country.

You’ll need to meet the same visa requirements and pay the UK application fee.

This includes those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020.

You can apply online. The terms of your leave will remain the same until your application is decided.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

This should have been announced weeks ago but this is wonderful news for people that must have departed the UK to enter the UK on a new visa. You are now permitted to switch in the UK if you need a new visa.

Unless the Home Office states otherwise, a visa must be submitted online by the 31/05/2020. If your visa expires before this date, ensure you submit an 'In-Time' application before your current visa expires.

If you need help, contact us by filling out the COVID-19 form on this page.

Published by Home Office date: 2 April 2020

Applicants who hold a valid visa should check initially with their own government websites to ensure that they are up to date on latest travel restrictions from their current locations. In addition, applicants should check the Gov.UK website which is updated regularly.

Published by Home Office date: 2 April 2020

How does Home Office plan to return passports to applicants in regions where there are VAC closures?

Applicants are advised that they should check the relevant Visa Application Centre (VAC) website relating to the applicant point where they submitted their passport. Where local permissions allow for customers have paid for courier return, Commercial Partners are sending passports back (where courier routes remain open to allow them to do so). If applicants are concerned about their passport, they can contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team at CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk. In countries where significant movement restrictions are in place some of our VACs are closed and our Commercial Partner is required to comply with all local restrictions.

Published by Home Office date: 2 April 2020

If an individual has applied for a visa from overseas but would now like to withdraw their application, how do they do this?

If the customer wishes to withdraw their application before their biometric appointment and is overseas, they can do this in the same place as their application was made, on Access UK or Visas4UK. Customers in the UK should use the form on Cancel your visa, immigration or citizenship application GOV.UK page to make the request. Any customer who is overseas and wishes to withdraw an application after their biometrics have been taken should visit the above link.

Published by Home Office date: 2 April 2020

All of the UK’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) are currently closed.

UKVI services are limited and we are unable to meet our usual service standards. Therefore, we are not encouraging applications at this time and cannot say when an application will be decided if an individual does decide to apply. We continue to keep the situation under review and hope to resume normal services when we are able.

Our commercial partners (TLS and VFS) consignment logistics are also affected. This means we cannot print and send visa vignettes across certain borders and routes.

Where visa applicants have an appointment and the VAC is now closed, commercial partners are contacting customers to advise them the appointment is not going ahead.

If customers have paid for courier return, commercial partners are sending passports back (where courier routes remain open to allow them to do so).

If an individual’s passport is currently held in a VAC but they have not previously arranged for it to be returned by courier, please contact either TLS contact or VFS global directly.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the worldwide border, travel and public health restrictions it may not be possible to return their passport at this time.

If an individual have submitted their passport, and would like it returned, they must contact the visa application centre where they logged their application to see if courier return is available in their location.

Where there are compelling or compassionate circumstances it may be appropriate to issue a visa waiver to those unable to apply for a visa, or authority to carry for those applicants with an issued but uncollected visa due to the disruption. Individuals should contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate of the country they are in if they think they fall into this category.

English Testing Centres across the world are currently seeing restrictions by the relevant local and national authorities. For all the latest information, please visit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)’s website, or applicants can contact their test centre directly by email.

Published by Home Office date: 2 April 2020

If an individual’s endorsement from an endorsing body has expired because they have not been able to travel to the UK, they may still be eligible for a visa.

They should make their application as planned and we will consider all applications on a case by case basis.

Published G4I date: 28 March 2020

Firstly, if you did not attended your biometrics appointment, you can login to your UKVI visa portal and cancel your application. Home Office aims to refund you within 28 days.

If you do not want to cancel your visa application but paid a VFS Global or TLS contact booking fee.

VFS Global

Go to this link to learn more about VFS Global COVID-19 update. This linked page will provide guidance and whether your country and location visa centre are still open.

TLScontact

Go to this link to learn more about TLScontact COVID-19 update. Go to this link and select your country and location to see if your visa centre are still open.

Published G4I date: 26 March 2020

The Home Office commercial partner will alert you (should be by email unless you paid for the SMS service) when appointments become available again. You will have to log back in and secure another slot. 

If you already paid a biometrics fee, the commercial partner would guide you further but keep an eye of your payment card used as they might automatically refund you.

Published G4I date: 26 March 2020

Yes yoU can. All visa applications unless applying from North Korea are now submitted online. The issue you have is once you paid your visa fees, you are directed to one of the Home Office commercial partners where you need to book your biometric appointment. Most but not all visa centres are closed due to COVID-19.

Published G4I date: 25 March 2020

If you been issued visa to enter the UK and the visa has a 30 day expiry date, this is because you applied for a visa to come to the UK over 6 months.

If you cannot travel or enter the UK because of COVID-19, when travel is permitted again, you will have to apply for a new 30 day visa vignette. This is not a new visa application, just a new temporary visa to enter the UK.

Once in the UK, you will be able then to collect your Biometric Resident Permit.

Home Office Guidance

When the Home Office updates their policy guidance around COVID-19, if the rules are different, we will update our response.

Published GOV.UK date: 24 March 2020

Many UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are closed or offering limited services. For advice on visa services in your country, contact:

TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East.

VFS global for all other countries

In some areas the UK cannot send visa vignettes across some borders and routes due to border restrictions.

If you have an appointment and the VAC is now closed, you’ll be contacted and told your appointment will not take place.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

If you login to the many commercial partner websites, you will find no biometric slots avaialble.

No new biometric slots can be secured as no one knows yet when the visa centres will open again.

If you submitted your visa, the Home Office will simply sit on your visa application until you attend your biometrics. As soon as biometrics become avialable you must book a new slot as soon as possible.

Each Home Office commercial partner will assess each country and locations when they can reopen as COVID-19 policies will depend on each country they operate in.

Published GOV.UK date: 24 March 2020

English Testing Centres are also affected. Visit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)’s website or contact your test centre for more information.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

Some IELTS test centres are still open if they are deemed safe but many are suspended that includes Canada, USA and the UK. The full list can be found here. 

BEFORE ATTENDING ANY IELTS TEST CENTRE, YOU MUST FOLLOW IELTS GUIDANCE OR YOU BE TURNED AWAY.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

The Coronavirus Immigration Team is providing advice and support on a number of different scenarios. Should an applicant raise a specific case, in accordance with normal Home Office/UKVI procedures, details will be logged on the relevant casework system. All emails and e-forms sent and received are being retained. We are continually monitoring the volume of enquiries and ensuring that appropriate staffing resources are in place to manage these.

If sponsors are struggling to pay the required salaries to sponsored employees as they have temporarily reduced or ceased trading.

Sponsor can temporarily reduce the pay of their sponsored migrants to up to 80% of their salary.

Any reductions must be part of a company-wide policy to avoid redundancies and in which all workers are treated the same.

Any reductions must be temporary, and the employee’s pay must return to at least previous levels once these arrangements have ended.

If a sponsor have issued a COS or a CAS and the sponsored employee or student has not yet made a visa application.

Visa applications can still be made. The start date for the course or employment may be different. The Home Office will take a pragmatic approach to considering cases with significantly different start dates.

Where a CoS or CAS has become invalid as the employee or student was unable to travel the Home Office will consider exceptionally accepting that CoS or CAS on a case by case basis.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

We will not take enforcement action against sponsors who continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences due to coronavirus.

They do not need to report student or employee absences related to coronavirus.

This can include absences due to illness, their need to isolate or inability to travel due to travel restrictions.

They do not need to withdraw sponsorship if:

• a student is unable to attend for more than 60 days
• an employee is absent from work without pay for more than 4 weeks

We will keep this under review.

Students who withdraw from their studies as a result of covid-19 will be discounted from future Basic Compliance Assessments

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

They can continue to sponsor existing Tier 4 students who are continuing their studies through distance learning, whether they are in the UK or another country.

If a student has permanently withdrawn from their studies, or deferred their studies for reasons which are not related to covid-19, they must report this as usual.

They do not need to withdraw sponsorship for new students who have been issued a Tier 4 visa but are distance learning because they have been unable to travel to the UK.

New international students who have not yet applied for a visa but want to start a course by distance learning do not require sponsorship under Tier 4. This is because they do not need to travel to the UK.

They do not need to tell the Home Office when students have moved to distance learning.

These arrangements will apply until 31 May, when they will be reviewed.

If sponsors have issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) and the sponsored employee or student has not yet applied for a visa.

The employee or student will still be able to apply for a visa.

The start date for the course or employment stated on the CoS or CAS may have changed. We will not automatically refuse such cases.

For example, we may accept a CoS or CAS if they have become invalid because the employee or student was unable to travel as a result of coronavirus. We will consider this on a case by case basis.

If you’re sponsoring a student who’s waiting for their Tier 4 visa application to be decided.

Sponsors may allow students to start their studies before their visa application has been decided if:

sponsors are a Tier 4 sponsor (other than Tier 4 Legacy Sponsors)

• sponsors have assigned the student a CAS
• the student submitted their application before their current visa expired and has shown their sponsor evidence of this
• the course they start is the same as the one listed on their CAS
• the student has a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if required

A sponsor’s reporting responsibilities start from the date that sponsors issue the CAS, not from the date that their application is granted. If the student’s application is eventually refused sponsors must terminate the student’s studies.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

They do not have to notify us if they’re sponsoring employees who are working from home due to coronavirus.

Other changes to their working arrangements must still be reported as usual.

If you’re sponsoring an employee who’s waiting for their Tier 2 or 5 visa application to be decided.

Sponsors may allow employees to start work before their visa application has been decided if:

• sponsors have assigned them a CoS
• the employee submitted their visa application before their current visa expired
• the role they are employed in is the same as the one on their CoS.

Sponsor’s reporting responsibilities start from the date of employment, not from the date that their application is granted.

If the employee’s application is eventually refused sponsors must terminate their employment.

If sponsors cannot pay the salaries of sponsored employees because they’ve temporarily reduced or ceased trading

• Sponsors can temporarily reduce the pay of their sponsored employees to 80% of their salary or £2,500 per month, whichever is the lower.
• Any reductions must be part of a company-wide policy to avoid redundancies and in which all workers are treated the same.
• These reductions must be temporary, and the employee’s pay must return to at least previous levels once these arrangements have ended.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

They’ll be able to apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa, including if they would usually need to apply for a visa from their home country. They’ll need to meet the same visa requirements and pay the UK application fee. This includes those whose leave has been automatically extended to 31 March 2020. 

They should apply online. They should select a biometric submission appointment to attend in line with public health guidance. The terms of their leave will remain the same until their application is decided. 

They will not be regarded as an overstayer or be subject to enforcement action if they’re unable to attend a biometric appointment due to coronavirus or if there are delays in processing their application.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

We are aware that many workers sponsored under the Tiers 2 and 5 immigration routes are now working from home rather than their normal workplace due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tiers 2 and 5 sponsors are normally required to notify us of such changes of circumstances. However, due to the current exceptional situation, we will not require sponsors to do so if working from home is directly related to the pandemic. Other changes must still be reported as usual.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has set up a dedicated team for customers with immigration queries related to coronavirus, including questions about urgent, compelling, compassionate cases. For more information visit: Gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents.

Published by Home Office date: 9 April 2020

If they are a foreign national in the UK and have observed the terms of their visa prior to the coronavirus outbreak, they must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team who will then extend their visa to 31 May 2020 if their visa has an expiry date between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020.

We understand that this is a difficult time and for this reason we are continually reviewing the situation to consider what more can be done for those in the UK whose immigration status has been affected by coronavirus.

There also is a dedicated helpline available for anyone who wishes to discuss their individual circumstances.

Further guidance: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

Published GOV.UK date: 27 March 2020

We will not take enforcement action against sponsors who continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences due to coronavirus.

You do not need to report student or employee absences related to coronavirus.

This can include illness, their need to isolate or inability to travel due to travel restrictions.

You do not need to withdraw sponsorship if:

• a student is unable to attend for more than 60 days
• an employee is absent from work without pay for more than 4 weeks

We will keep this under review.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

As a precaution, log the whereabouts of your sponsored workers or students like you would do if on your premises. If audited by UKVI in the future, you maybe asked how to tracked and logged your workers/students. 

This is just a precaution as some organisations might take advantage of COVID-19. Who knows how UKVI compliance officers will assess yuo in the future.

Published GOV.UK date: 27 March 2020

You can continue to sponsor existing Tier 4 students continuing their studies through distance learning, whether they are in the UK or another country.

If a student has permanently withdrawn from or deferred their studies, you must report this as usual.

You do not need to withdraw sponsorship for new students who have been issued a Tier 4 visa but are distance learning because they have been unable to travel to the UK.

New international students who have not yet applied for a visa but want to start a course by distance learning do not require sponsorship under Tier 4. This is because they do not need to travel to the UK.

You do not need to tell the Home Office when students have moved to distance learning.

These arrangements will apply until 31 May, when they will be reviewed.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

As a precaution, if any students are moved to distant learning, keep a log when this happened, if their studies had to be adapted or cancelled.

If UKVI audited your sponsor licence in the future, you wil have recorded evidence how you complied during COVID-19.

Published by G4I: 27 March 2020

You do not have to notify us if you’re sponsoring employees who are working from home due to coronavirus.

Other changes to their working arrangements must still be reported as usual.

What does our immigration lawyer think?

When your organisation is next audited by UKVI compliance officers, you might be asked to demonstrate date periods and what work was carried out from home working. Many jobs can be done using a web enabled device but, some jobs cannot, you need to explain what they did. Keep as much evidence of working from home as possible in case you are investigated.

Published G4i date: 27 March 2020

If you need to engage a migrant to work fro your business and you cannot do this face to face due to COVID-19, you are permitted to do this via Skype. 

Need expert advice?

When you interview any non-EEA national regardless of the job role, always ask how they entered the UK, their immigration history whilst in the UK, how they obtained their current visa. If you engaged a worker who had a fake immigration document, you then have some evidence how you attempted to validate that worker prior to engagement.

Not all visas will allow immediate employment, some will need Home Office approval first. If a migrant is already on Tier 2 or Tier 5, did you know they can do secondary employment if, they are still being sponsored under their current permission but, the work must be similiar to their current SOC code unless the secondary job falls under volunteering for chartiable work or work under the shortage occupational list.