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If you’re applying to stay in the UK long-term
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.
Thanks buddy.
Thank you for the update, yesterday I try to contact helpline, seems right now lines are very busy, I was on call waiting for 2 hours so I just disconnect later.GG_PM2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:29 amHi all, hope everyone is keeping well. I'm in the same exact situation but finding the guidance slightly unclear; I'm not sure if this new exception applies to everyone, or only for those whose current visas are expiring at the end of May (the content sits as a subheading to "If you’re in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020"). My T2 Dependent doesn't expire for a while but keen to make the switch sooner rather than later, and obviously the COS will expire at some point.
Do let us know if you get any clarity. I emailed Home Office a few days ago so will update here with anything useful.
Hi, not yet, waiting on confirmation from our lawyer also, but this morning my employer got an email directly from UKVI that contains the below; it's the same as in the original link but paraphrased more clearly. This seems to suggest everyone is covered, as the email was a general notice to sponsors and not only specific to those with an upcoming expiry. I'll let you know once I hear from my lawyer and/or Home Office but it seems promising
Switching to a long-term UK visa
- During these unique circumstances individuals will be able to apply from the UK to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May. 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 switching into and pay the UK application fee.
- Those whose leave expires between 24 January and 31 May 2020, including those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020, are eligible to apply
.
- They can apply online
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team to enquire about switching from your current immigration route due to issues related to COVID-19.
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, and who cannot leave because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
Where you would normally be required to return to your country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, you’ll now be able to apply from the UK to switch.
This will only apply if your leave has expired or will expire on or after 24 January 2020 to 31 May 2020; including those individuals who have already had their leave extended to 31 March 2020.
Hi,GG_PM2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:55 pmHi guys, I just got a response from Home Office, sadly it looks like it only applies if your current visa is expiring by end of May
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team to enquire about switching from your current immigration route due to issues related to COVID-19.
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, and who cannot leave because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
Where you would normally be required to return to your country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, you’ll now be able to apply from the UK to switch.
This will only apply if your leave has expired or will expire on or after 24 January 2020 to 31 May 2020; including those individuals who have already had their leave extended to 31 March 2020.
nav18scse wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:01 pmhi Sainatha,
have you created an application online or yet to do it?
If you have any update please let me know because I am also in the same situation and waiting COS decision.
Hi, I have submitted tire 2 online application , but as we know, right now UKVCAS closed, so I am waiting for book an appointment for BRP
Thanks
Hi Sainatha,Sainatha wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 10:36 amnav18scse wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:01 pmhi Sainatha,
have you created an application online or yet to do it?
If you have any update please let me know because I am also in the same situation and waiting COS decision.
Hi, I have submitted tire 2 online application , but as we know, right now UKVCAS closed, so I am waiting for book an appointment for BRP
Thanks
Members are not permitted to name solicitors on the forum!!
Thanks for your reply.Sainatha wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:27 pmMy current visa expired on 15thMarch 2020, so I can am eligible for apply with in the UK
Once UKVCAS open I can book an appointment . According to the UK guideline, whose visa expired on or before 24/01/2020 to 31/05/2020 they are eligible to apply with in the uk.
Hi,nav18scse wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:18 pmHi,GG_PM2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:55 pmHi guys, I just got a response from Home Office, sadly it looks like it only applies if your current visa is expiring by end of May
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team to enquire about switching from your current immigration route due to issues related to COVID-19.
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, and who cannot leave because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
Where you would normally be required to return to your country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, you’ll now be able to apply from the UK to switch.
This will only apply if your leave has expired or will expire on or after 24 January 2020 to 31 May 2020; including those individuals who have already had their leave extended to 31 March 2020.
You mean that we cant switch from Tier 2 ICT dependent to Tier 2 general visa within UK if Tier 2 dependent visa is not expired before 31May 2020? Please reply.
Travel is also bared till 14Apr2020 in India and VFS offices are closed at the moment so we dont know what will be situation.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hey mate,nav18scse wrote: ↑Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:27 pmHi,nav18scse wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2020 11:18 pmHi,GG_PM2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2020 2:55 pmHi guys, I just got a response from Home Office, sadly it looks like it only applies if your current visa is expiring by end of May
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team to enquire about switching from your current immigration route due to issues related to COVID-19.
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, and who cannot leave because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
Where you would normally be required to return to your country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, you’ll now be able to apply from the UK to switch.
This will only apply if your leave has expired or will expire on or after 24 January 2020 to 31 May 2020; including those individuals who have already had their leave extended to 31 March 2020.
You mean that we cant switch from Tier 2 ICT dependent to Tier 2 general visa within UK if Tier 2 dependent visa is not expired before 31May 2020? Please reply.
Travel is also bared till 14Apr2020 in India and VFS offices are closed at the moment so we dont know what will be situation.
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Are you managed to apply visa from UK even visa expired after May 2020?
Thanks.
Plus the UK offices are closed anyway. Sadly, will just have to wait how this all pans out..
