Last Entry Date on Visa Vignette Expiring due to COVID-19

Hi,
I have been granted Tier 2 general dependent Visa. Initially I have received a 30 days Visa Vignette where the last date of entry is mentioned as 12th April,2020. Since it is complete lock down of domestic and international flights from India till 14th April, I will not be able to travel by the date mentioned in the Visa Vignette. Can I request your guidance about the provision in this case.

I can understand there is chargeable "transfer of condition" available but that is applicable in normal circumstances .Is there any special provision of extension on the arrival date ,due to COVID -19 ? Can I enter UK using the same visa vignette ?

Thank You.
Nishu

A host of people are in similar situation. HO has just started providing information about considerations being made to accommodate some changes due to COVID-19, hoping they get to addressing matters about people with vignette that are unable to make entry into UK within the validity.
Keep up with news and do check this forum as the able moderators and or forum members will post when there is such info.

Thank you so much.
Hoping to get the answer soon as last entry is approaching.
Waiting for any update over the same.

Hi Nishu,

Did you get any further update on the outside UK vignette extension ?

I have sent emails to CIH@homeofffice.gov.uk and it's been more than 5 days with no reply.

cyberstud23 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:27 am

Hi Nishu,

Did you get any further update on the outside UK vignette extension ?

I have sent emails to CIH@homeofffice.gov.uk and it's been more than 5 days with no reply.

The priority for HO at the moment and for who the email address is mainly for, is for those in the UK with expired or soon to expire visas and unable to travel or leave the UK. Those outside the UK applying for or with entry clearance visas are not top priority at this stage.

Hi,
Same situation here, even my visa vignette expiration date is on 24th April,2020. Still awaiting for an response from CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk
Thanks.

cyberstud23 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 11:27 am

Hi Nishu,

Did you get any further update on the outside UK vignette extension ?

I have sent emails to CIH@homeofffice.gov.uk and it's been more than 5 days with no reply.

Hi,

No update over it. no reply from CIH but called on helpline number. After 1 and a half hour got connected and got a reply that there is no provision/extension made for such case yet. Will be updated on gov site once something comes up.

Do keep posted of any update you get.

Thanks

CR001 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:38 am

general-uk-immigration-forum/applying-f ... 99929.html

Hi,

Can you help with when we can apply for visa vignette transfer? Can it be applied after last entry date expires?

My husband and I are in a similar situation. Our vignette expires on April 24th. With the current lockdown in India, there is no clarity if international flights will be allowed. I have also written to the home office but have not received a response yet.

nishupandey wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2020 12:27 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:38 am

general-uk-immigration-forum/applying-f ... 99929.html

Hi,

Can you help with when we can apply for visa vignette transfer? Can it be applied after last entry date expires?

Yes.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 7:27 am

Yes.

To be aware: entering the UK after Tier 2 last entry date with valid visitor visa still possible? Is this not a violation?

geos92 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 7:54 am

To be aware: entering the UK after Tier 2 last entry date with valid visitor visa still possible? Is this not a violation?

Of course, it would be impossible.

Question was about applying for a new vignette after expiry of the old one, not about entering the UK with an expired vignette.

Hi,
Just received an update from UKVI support to await and check for the latest updates on a gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/ with regards to visa vignette expiration.
Still awaiting for response from CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Thanks,
Senthil

dsraja wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 8:01 am

Just received an update from UKVI support to await and check for the latest updates on a gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/ with regards to visa vignette expiration.
Still awaiting for response from CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.

No disrespect, but please try to stand back and put this in some perspective.

There is a global health emergency affecting the lives and plans of many millions of people in every country. Your (and everyone's) UK visa and your travel plans are now suspended until this worldwide crisis is under control.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2020 7:27 am

nishupandey wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2020 12:27 pm

CR001 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2020 6:38 am

general-uk-immigration-forum/applying-f ... 99929.html

Hi,

Can you help with when we can apply for visa vignette transfer? Can it be applied after last entry date expires?

Yes.

.

Thank you.
Also to apply for visa vignette is there any number of days before which we should apply or it stands ok till visa is valid?

Did anyone get reply on Vignette replacement from CIH?

We are awaiting reply as well from CIH helpline. ... did anyone get a response or extension? Please advise.

Today we went to the Hyderabad UK visa centre (VFS Global) for getting an extension for the expired vignette for our new born baby. One month vignette expired as we could not travel due to ban on international flights from India.

Hope this helps others:
- No need to resubmit biometrics (so need not bring infant to the centre, as the photograph and biometrics were already taken)

- New visa application need not be applied ( even if the travel dates mentioned in original application would have been crossed/ passed)

- Evidence that the applicant/ responsible person reached out to the corona helpline (CIH@homeoffice.co.uk) and any correspondence from them (even if its just an auto reply) must be submitted

- If applicant/ responsible individual created a new application (on Gov.UK) / paid for any premium services for visa centre (vfs global), refunds can be applied

- passport and original GWF reference and copy of expired visa vignette need to be submitted at the Visa centres and this will be processed in or less than 14 days and passport with nee vignette will be sent back.

Am not sure if an agent can represent the Application so that applicant also need not travel, but we ended up travelling and submitting the passport as we were not sure about it.

Cheers, good luck!!

thank you @kyatezz it is very useful , can you advise about the follow please :
Did you fill in any application online/paper?
How did you book an appointment (it must be via UK.gov only), did you do the new application?
How do you apply for new Vignette without reply from CIH , doses the application centre accept this approach?
is the new Vignette valid for 90 days?

Did you fill in any application online/paper?

If its a vignette extension due to CoVID, no need for a new application. Just carry a print of your old application form/ alternatively if you had filled the form on paper before, it may suffice for you to carry the GWF reference number/ acknowledgement that you applied previously.

How did you book an appointment (it must be via UK.gov only), did you do the new application?

Appointments are to be booked with VFS Global

How do you apply for new Vignette without reply from CIH , doses the application centre accept this approach?
is the new Vignette valid for 90 days?

Many did not get any reply, so just take a print of your first email to CIH along with any acknowledgement/ auto response you may have got. Even if you did not get any auto response, it should be okay. To be on safe side, just email CIH again, you may get the auto response the second time. We did not receive the passport back, but I read somewhere it will be for 90 days now.

See if you can contact VFS just in case you have any other query/ want to validate the above (as guidance is changing constantly)

https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/in/en/news/ ... s-in-india

Thank you @kyatezz for your help. I was in similar situation and read your post on 14th July and gave me confidence for my wife's application.

I actually ended up making application at gov.uk and paid for it, then booked appointment with VFS and then come to know they do not need new application and they suggested to cancel the application and ask for refund.

This is what VFS said:

• Send email to cih@homeofice.gov.uk

• Visit VFS within 5 days after sending this email

• No need to book appointment with VFS, you can just walk-in

• You need to bring your passport with previous vignette on it

• And bring printout of email sent to home office and their auto response

Thats it basically.
However we have had quite bit of experience which I have shared in detail at my blog: weblink to blog removed by moderator

Not sure if it is allowed to post a link in this forum, but it is a quite a long post as I have shared entire experience of renewing 30 day visa validity.