**** COVID19 and UKVCAS Appointments **** (ONLY discuss here)

amrotab123 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:43 pm

Is there any confirmation that the postponed appointments will still go ahead? I'm worried that once my appointment date arrives (11th May) it will be postponed again.

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:24 pm

Thank you so much for updating us all.

May I ask how many days did it take for CIH to reply back?

t2momodu wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:13 pm

Hi all,

As we are all waiting for the UKVCAS centre to be re-opened, I sent an email to the CIH and this was the response I got today.

My original email:
"I submitted my settlement application (indefinite leave to remain) online on 23rd March 2020 and booked my biometric appointment for 08.00am on 30/03/2020 at the Croydon Service support Centre, I have been advised by UKVCAS that their services have been suspended as a result of travel restrictions due to Covid-19 (corona virus) and I can confirm that I have now been automatically rescheduled an appointment for 11th May 2020 at 08.00am.

As I have applied well within my qualifying period, I hope this would not negatively affect my application for settlement as I have paid in full the amount required for both the application and the biometric appointment.

I paid for the super priority (24hours service i.e.) and not sure how this would be applied given the circumstances as at now (complete UK lockdown).

Thanking you in advance of a positive prompt response."

CIH Response:
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team.

I can confirm that we have temporarily closed the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centre Services (UKVCAS) service points and our Service and Support Centres (SSCs) because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you are intending to enrol your biometrics at a Post Office you should check the availability of services through the Post Office finder, as advised on your Biometric Enrolment letter, or through updates on GOV.UK.

If you’ve already made an appointment

If you’ve already made an appointment to attend a UKVCAS service point or Service and Support Centre, the service provider will contact you to cancel it.

As services resume you’ll be contacted and advised when you can book a new appointment.

Your immigration status in the UK will not change as a result of you not being able to attend an appointment.

In line with the government response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Super Priority Visa (SPV) and Priority Visa (PV) services were temporarily suspended across all relevant application routes on 30 March 2020. The services were suspended for overseas applications on 24 March 2020.

The suspension will be reviewed in light of the wider response to COVID-19, but we cannot advise at this time on when it will be lifted.

If you had already started and saved an application prior to the removal of the SPV and PV options, you might still see them. However, we have placed messages in the application process to advise customers not select or pay for these options.

We are aiming to meet the SPV and PV service standards for customers who have enrolled their biometrics. If we are not able to do so because of operational constraints relating to COVID-19, we will write to customers and refund the priority service fee.

Please continue to check the GOV.UK website, where up to date advice on our response to COVID-19 is published. The latest information and advice can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents

The latest travel advice can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advi ... ronavirus

Coronavirus Immigration Team.

ilrupdates wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:59 pm

It looks like by reading HO email, that the new applicants can still enroll bio metrics at post offices under standard application ? Have I understood right?

spikky wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:34 pm

I'd scheduled my biometrics appointment for 23rd April given the current situation with Covid-19. However, I've received an email from UKVCAS today stating all activities at UKVCAS/Sopra Steria are suspended and my appointment will have to be rescehduled and no action needed that the appointment will be automatically rescheduled upto 6 weeks ahead of the original appointment date and to keep logging in and checking the website for rescheduled appointment or look for when appointments are activated and re-book.

I logged in and saw my current appointment for 23rd April is still intact but if activities are suspended, then have to reschedule.

Long delay indeed.

Spikky.

Americaninlondon321 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:03 pm

My visa expires April 28th. I submitted my ILR application online but was unable to book a biometrics appointment due to the UKVCAS shutdown. Should I also apply for the May 31 visa extension? Or am I OK given my visa terms should remain valid until my ILR application is decided (even if I cant book an appointment by the biometrics enrollment deadline)? I emailed CIH to confirm about 10 working days ago but no reply.

Wish they could just collect my documents by courier and use my existing BRP data but hey ho.

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:45 am

So are you allowed to legally continue working with your same employer under section 3C if your tier 2 visa expires and you”re waiting for your ILR decision?

If you need to change sponsor or employer while waiting for an ILR decision how can that be done? Do you ask them for a COS, submit a tier 2 visa application and work with them while waiting for the decision ?

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:48 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:45 am

So are you allowed to legally continue working with your same employer under section 3C if your tier 2 visa expires and you”re waiting for your ILR decision?

If you need to change sponsor or employer while waiting for an ILR decision how can that be done? Do you ask them for a COS, submit a tier 2 visa application and work with them while waiting for the decision ?

Yes, all your same rights if your existing tier 2 visa continue, ie you can only work for your tier 2 sponsor. You cant just change jobs. You would have to withdraw the ilr application before you can apply for tier 2 if you qualify to extend tier 2. You cannot have two immigration applications at the same time.

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:12 am

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:48 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:45 am

So are you allowed to legally continue working with your same employer under section 3C if your tier 2 visa expires and you”re waiting for your ILR decision?

If you need to change sponsor or employer while waiting for an ILR decision how can that be done? Do you ask them for a COS, submit a tier 2 visa application and work with them while waiting for the decision ?

Yes, all your same rights if your existing tier 2 visa continue, ie you can only work for your tier 2 sponsor. You cant just change jobs. You would have to withdraw the ilr application before you can apply for tier 2 if you qualify to extend tier 2. You cannot have two immigration applications at the same time.

Many thanks for your swift reply.

May I ask please how is section 3C obtained , is that automatically issued from the home office or you have to notify someone or apply before your visa expires.

On 3C, can I continue to work with the same sponsor/Employer but in a different job position and department. For example I'm currently working in A/E in an NHS hospital. Can I shift to a different department like Intensive care in the same NHS Trust? Both are under the same SOC code of medical practitioners. My current contract with the hospital expires on Feb 21 but I can get an extension towards the end of my contract with the hospital either in the same department or a different one...

Thanks

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:51 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:12 am

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:48 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:45 am

So are you allowed to legally continue working with your same employer under section 3C if your tier 2 visa expires and you”re waiting for your ILR decision?

If you need to change sponsor or employer while waiting for an ILR decision how can that be done? Do you ask them for a COS, submit a tier 2 visa application and work with them while waiting for the decision ?

Yes, all your same rights if your existing tier 2 visa continue, ie you can only work for your tier 2 sponsor. You cant just change jobs. You would have to withdraw the ilr application before you can apply for tier 2 if you qualify to extend tier 2. You cannot have two immigration applications at the same time.

Many thanks for your swift reply.

May I ask please how is section 3C obtained , is that automatically issued from the home office or you have to notify someone or apply before your visa expires.

On 3C, can I continue to work with the same sponsor/Employer but in a different job position and department. For example I'm currently working in A/E in an NHS hospital. Can I shift to a different department like Intensive care in the same NHS Trust? Both are under the same SOC code of medical practitioners. My current contract with the hospital expires on Feb 21 but I can get an extension towards the end of my contract with the hospital either in the same department or a different one...

Thanks

Section 3C is automatic if an in time application is made.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... d-3d-leave

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:06 am

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:51 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:12 am

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:48 am

Yes, all your same rights if your existing tier 2 visa continue, ie you can only work for your tier 2 sponsor. You cant just change jobs. You would have to withdraw the ilr application before you can apply for tier 2 if you qualify to extend tier 2. You cannot have two immigration applications at the same time.

Many thanks for your swift reply.

May I ask please how is section 3C obtained , is that automatically issued from the home office or you have to notify someone or apply before your visa expires.

On 3C, can I continue to work with the same sponsor/Employer but in a different job position and department. For example I'm currently working in A/E in an NHS hospital. Can I shift to a different department like Intensive care in the same NHS Trust? Both are under the same SOC code of medical practitioners. My current contract with the hospital expires on Feb 21 but I can get an extension towards the end of my contract with the hospital either in the same department or a different one...

Thanks

Section 3C is automatic if an in time application is made.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... d-3d-leave

Thank you that's really re-assuring.

If things keep getting delayed and I come to the end of my contract and Tier 2 visa in Feb 21. Can I extend my work with the same employer/Sponsor in a different job position and department on section 3C terms, or it has to be the same job position and department. Both would be the same SOC code of medical practitioners.

Thank you for your kind advice

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:48 am

underfire222 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:45 am

So are you allowed to legally continue working with your same employer under section 3C if your tier 2 visa expires and you”re waiting for your ILR decision?

If you need to change sponsor or employer while waiting for an ILR decision how can that be done? Do you ask them for a COS, submit a tier 2 visa application and work with them while waiting for the decision ?

Yes, all your same rights if your existing tier 2 visa continue, ie you can only work for your tier 2 sponsor. You cant just change jobs. You would have to withdraw the ilr application before you can apply for tier 2 if you qualify to extend tier 2. You cannot have two immigration applications at the same time.

Americaninlondon321 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:03 pm

My visa expires April 28th. I submitted my ILR application online but was unable to book a biometrics appointment due to the UKVCAS shutdown. Should I also apply for the May 31 visa extension? Or am I OK given my visa terms should remain valid until my ILR application is decided (even if I cant book an appointment by the biometrics enrollment deadline)? I emailed CIH to confirm about 10 working days ago but no reply.

Wish they could just collect my documents by courier and use my existing BRP data but hey ho.

AnILRApplicant wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:47 am

I am applying for my ILR in July - I'm very concerned about the appts cancellations and was wondering if someone can let me know if the postponed biometrics appointments take place or if they're postponed again