Your visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).
You must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) to update your records if your visa is expiring.
You should provide:
We’ll let you know when your request is received and when your visa has been extended.
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.
UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are temporarily closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
You cannot book an appointment.
If you’ve already made an appointment to attend a UKVCAS service point, or a Service and Support Centre (SSC), you’ll be contacted and told what to do next.
Your immigration status will not be negatively affected as a result of you not being able to attend an appointment.
Many UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are closed or offering limited services. For advice on visa services in your country, contact:
In some areas the UK cannot send visa vignettes across some borders and routes due to border restrictions.
If you have an appointment and the VAC is now closed, you’ll be contacted and told your appointment will not take place.
English Testing Centres are also affected. Visit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)’s website or contact your test centre for more information.
If you’ve paid for courier return, your passport will be returned if courier routes remain open.
If your passport is currently held in a VAC and you would like it to be returned by courier, please contact either TLS contact or VFS global directly if you haven’t already paid for courier return.
Contact the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline if you are concerned about your passport.
We will prioritise the return of all documents once VACs are open.
If your country‘s VAC is closed, you won’t be able to apply for a British passport. If you urgently need to travel to the UK, you can apply for an emergency travel document.
