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ARTICLE · 14 SEPTEMBER 2020

Coronavirus - New Immigration Guidance Published

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The Home Office has published further guidance on the measures they have put in place for individuals whose UK immigration status may be affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

United KingdomImmigration
Tom Brett Young
Tom Brett Young

The Home Office has published further guidance on the measures they have put in place for individuals whose UK immigration status may be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Previous concessions primarily concentrated on two issues for migrants stuck in the UK as a result of the pandemic:

  • extending their leave so that they did not become 'overstayers', and
  • allowing those who want to remain in the UK on a longer-term basis to apply to switch into a different immigration category.

The previous provisions for extending leave expired on 31 July. The new guidance now provides for a 'grace period' up to 31 August 2020 which will apply to anyone who has a visa or leave that was due to expire between the 24 January and 31 August 2020. It is not necessary for such individuals to apply to regularise their stay in the UK during this time, but the expectation is that they will leave the UK by 31 August.

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