Covid Concession - Clarification on Visa Extension and ILR Queries

[Joyjii]

Hi
Slight variation in my case.
I had a job in UK using my tier 2 dependent visa
But i went to India on 15th March 2020 to attend my 23rd march 2020 tier 2 general skilled visa appointment. This was cancelled due to COVID a days before. I was stuck there, had CoS and everything in place , continued working for same employer remotely. later in July 2020 I was contacted for appointment and visa was issues on 13th aug 2020. After that I travelled back to UK in sept 2020, still containing the same job.

My question: since VFS cancelled my appointment on 23rd March due to COVID lockdown and later I was given appointment in July followed by visa on 13th aug. All the time before that while being stuck in India, I had valid CoS and worked for the same employer remotely. Will my ILR qualifying period get any benefit from COVID visa concession scheme to allow me apply sooner?

Thanks and regards
R

[secret.simon]

I have split your question into its own thread (this one). Please keep your questions on this topic in this thread.

I do not think the Covid concession applies in your case, because you were not resident in the UK during Covid.

(Page 55)
Due to major disruption to UKVI services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tier 2 (General) and Skilled Worker applicants in the UK were permitted to start work for their sponsors while waiting for decisions on their applications. This time while they were waiting, but able to work, also counts towards the continuous 5-year period. The applicant must have been in the UK with permission (including as a visitor or with Exceptional Assurance), and the application must have been:

• for permission to stay
• made between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2021 (inclusive)
• supported by a CoS on the date of application
• granted

Why did you leave the UK and make the application in India when you were already in the UK and could have just make the Skilled Worker application within the UK?

[zimba]

COVID concession is only for people who applied inside the UK. It is NOT for applicants who applied for an entry clearance outside the UK