**** COVID19 Life in the UK and English test centre closure **** (ONLY discuss here)

[Annie1991]

Hi there,

My Life in the UK test has been rescheduled to April but I have no idea if the test centre will reopen given the current situation. I am going to apply for ILR in a few months' time so there is no immediate urgency. However, I can't find any guidance from Home Office...

What if by the time I apply for ILR, I still cannot do the test? Is there anyone who is applying recently but hasn't done the test yet? I just wish there is a bit more clarification from the Home Office.

Thanks!

[zimba]

Hi there,

My Life in the UK test has been rescheduled to April but I have no idea if the test centre will reopen given the current situation. I am going to apply for ILR in a few months' time so there is no immediate urgency. However, I can't find any guidance from Home Office...

What if by the time I apply for ILR, I still cannot do the test? Is there anyone who is applying recently but hasn't done the test yet? I just wish there is a bit more clarification from the Home Office.

Thanks!

It is not clear what happens for now. Wait until April and we'll see

[kllyspn222]

I’m in the same boat here — test booked for 16.04.20, hoping to send ILR application end of April/beginning of May.

I guess we just have to hang tight for now and hope either they’ve reopened by then or they organise some other way of taking the test (though not sure how...).

Either way, I’m hopeful that anyone screwed up by COVID-19 and the timings won’t be shipped on out of the country for something out of their control.

[pm07]

I can understand why you are anxious. I just submitted today and thankfully made it in time. I would have been very anxious about the LITUK closures.

Knowing what I know now; what I would do if I was affected and needed to submit despite not having a LITUK pass, I would answer no to the question on the application and submit and pay online anyway just before my current leave expired. There is an additional prompt in the LITUK question about exemptions.
You can start an application early and put in all this data to help you prepare. I first started my application on 8-Jan before I got my LITUK and then finally submitted that same application 16-Mar.

Then if you are submitted in-time you will be covered under Section 3C leave preventing you needing to leave. I can only imagine there will be a chance to manage the LITUK issue before your application gets rejected.

If we get closer to that situation I would certainly expect advice to be issued from the HO but to give you peace of mind your worst case scenario would be to still submit before your leave runs out. I don't think they will prevent you doing that if you are affected by COVID-19 and therefore overstaying.

Please don't take my advice if you don't feel comfortable with it


BTW: We can't get a flight back to Aus even if we do get kicked out

[Annie1991]

I’m in the same boat here — test booked for 16.04.20, hoping to send ILR application end of April/beginning of May.

I guess we just have to hang tight for now and hope either they’ve reopened by then or they organise some other way of taking the test (though not sure how...).

Either way, I’m hopeful that anyone screwed up by COVID-19 and the timings won’t be shipped on out of the country for something out of their control.

Thanks for sharing your situation. Could you please keep me posted on how you are getting on with your application? I really don't think the test centre will re-open given the current situation. Mine is booked for the 14th April.

Thanks!

[EPW]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

[zimba]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

There are now two posts on top of the forum on this. Have you read them ??!

[Annie1991]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

I phoned the UKVI helpline yesterday and was told I cannot apply without the test results.....They told me to apply later once the test is done and include a cover letter to explain why the application is made after visa expiry. I tried to get clarification regarding my legal right to work in the UK after my Tier 2 expires but there is no guidance. Please let me know when you find out more information as you visa expires before mine. Many thanks!

[CR001]

If you apply after your visa expires, you become an overstayer and cannot work.

You have not stated the date your visa actually expires.

[FaeLLe]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

I phoned the UKVI helpline yesterday and was told I cannot apply without the test results.....They told me to apply later once the test is done and include a cover letter to explain why the application is made after visa expiry. I tried to get clarification regarding my legal right to work in the UK after my Tier 2 expires but there is no guidance. Please let me know when you find out more information as you visa expires before mine. Many thanks!

I would expect HO to extend your tier 2 general under compassionate grounds / extenuating circumstances. Do not under any circumstances allow your visa to expire.

[kllyspn222]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

There are now two posts on top of the forum on this. Have you read them ??!

Honestly, I’ve read them both and I’m still not quite sure what to do / what they’re doing. My second flr (m) expires 22nd May and I wanted to put my application in during early May... my LitUK is booked for mid-April now but I’m sort of not sure what to do if I can’t get my LitUK done and application in by 22.05.20. Does the advice mean they’re extending our visas until 31.05.20? What if everything isn’t opened again by then? I understand that as long as I get my ILR application itself in by 22.05.20 then I’m probably fine but if I can’t get my LitUK test done....

[FaeLLe]

I am in the same boat, want to submit my application on 08-May-20; visa expiration in first week of June. Re-booked LIUK test for 17 April but highly doubt it will go ahead! I wonder what happens to employment if your visa has expired and new one not yet approved due to covid-19? are there any repercussions there?

There are now two posts on top of the forum on this. Have you read them ??!

Honestly, I’ve read them both and I’m still not quite sure what to do / what they’re doing. My second flr (m) expires 22nd May and I wanted to put my application in during early May... my LitUK is booked for mid-April now but I’m sort of not sure what to do if I can’t get my LitUK done and application in by 22.05.20. Does the advice mean they’re extending our visas until 31.05.20? What if everything isn’t opened again by then? I understand that as long as I get my ILR application itself in by 22.05.20 then I’m probably fine but if I can’t get my LitUK test done....

Apply to extwnd your FLR, what other option do you have?

[kllyspn222]

I don’t know.

Extend my flr til 31.05.20, you mean? :-/

[Annie1991]

Have you tried to call the helpline and email the CIH email address?

[kllyspn222]

Yes, I’ve emailed. I’ll post their response when they get back to me.

Anyone else?

[kllyspn222]

Update: just got an email that my LitUK test has been postponed from 14.04.20 to 21.05.20 (which is coincidentally a day before my current visa expires).

[EPW]

I spoke with Home Office on Friday they told me to still apply for my ILR when I had planned to whether I have sat the test or not.

I have just had my April test cancelled and rebooked now for 1st May.

I would like to think the closer we get to May/June they will start giving people in the same boat some short extensions to relieve the pressure and stress. I can imagine the backlog once this is all over will be huge!!!

[Daided]

My wife was due to take her LITUK test on 16-Apr, but today it has been postponed to 21-May.
Our visa expires on 9-Jun so we are quite anxious about what we can do. Having the evolution of Covid-19, I expect the test will be postponed yet again.
Moreover, even if we intend to apply for ILR, the UKVCAS are now closed... so it’s quite confusing how to proceed.
Whatever happens, we intend to apply for ILR online, and wait until there is any appointments available.
I can’t imagine the surge of ILR and visa applications in June/July once COVID-19 impact reduces... i suppose it will be hectic and they will take much longer to solve the applications.

[zimba]

For people whose visa is about to expire: You can get the visa extended until end of May 2020 or you can apply for a new application and you will be protected under section 3C. There is no solution but to apply as normal and upload the evidence later when you can

[Annie1991]

Update: just got an email that my LitUK test has been postponed from 14.04.20 to 21.05.20 (which is coincidentally a day before my current visa expires).

Thanks for the update. My test has been rescheduled to the 28th May. I am actually exploring Tier 2 extension as a back up option. When I called the HO today, they told me to apply without the test and complete the payment. Then I should book the biometric appointment when I have done my test. I am very confused by the process tbh. Please let me know if you understand better. Cheers.

[zimba]

Update: just got an email that my LitUK test has been postponed from 14.04.20 to 21.05.20 (which is coincidentally a day before my current visa expires).

Thanks for the update. My test has been rescheduled to the 28th May. I am actually exploring Tier 2 extension as a back up option. When I called the HO today, they told me to apply without the test and complete the payment. Then I should book the biometric appointment when I have done my test. I am very confused by the process tbh. Please let me know if you understand better. Cheers.

It is simple. You can upload any evidence before attending your appointment. Apply now online, pay and submit. Book a test before 28th. Upload the certificate before 28th. Attend appointment

[zamanam]

I am in the same boat - it looks simple and sensible as date of online payment and submission is the date of application which is fine BUT issue is how would you conclude your application as it asks for LITUK test reference number

[Mcp788]

Hi,

I am in the same boat. Visa expiring June 2 need to apply for ILR and life in Uk test moved twice currently scheduled May 5. Called immigration on the covid helpline and they said wait for a few days and there are chances they will blank out the LIUK test but she was not sure it may or may not happen. Planning to submit my application anyway latest by may 20 but does anyone know if we submit application and wait for centres to open to give bio metric ? If anyone is submitting application please let me know what you did for the LIUK test field .

[biradarsk01]

I have the same issue for my wife ILR. Both life in the UK test and English Language Test postponed and her visa will expire on 17th April 2020. I have contacted on coronavirus helpline email address but have not yet got reply. It is more than 5 days since I emailed them. please update here if any of you got a solution.

[zimba]

You do not need to provide LIUK reference on your application. Leave that empty and upload the evidence later after submission