Campaigners warn that EU students enrolled in UK university courses face substantial visa fees if they fail to arrive in the UK by 31st December. Many EU students have been unable to begin their studies due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the UK, and have started their courses online.
The Home Office says that that students in this situation are not eligible for pre-settled status after the Brexit transition period, despite the COVID-19 pandemic preventing them from coming to the UK.
Affected EU students will need to pay the £470 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and the UK Visa application fees of £348.
Free movement
Campaigners say that EU students enrolled at UK educational institutions before the end of the transition period did do so under the EU freedom of movement laws. About 150,000 students from the European Economic Area arrive in the UK to study each year.
Exceptional circumstances
It is possible that some affected students may be able to claim a dispensation based on exceptional circumstances, which is allowed for under UK immigration laws. The Home Office is yet to confirm if ‘exceptional circumstances’ faced by EU students who arrive in the UK after 31st December but who had enrolled on university courses in 2020 are going to be taken into consideration. They say only that they “have been clear that students, just like all other EEA and Swiss citizens, have to be resident in the UK before 31st December 2020 to have rights under the new Citizens’ Rights Agreements.”
Scarsdale Immigration Solicitors
For advice from Immigration solicitors Manchester, immigration solicitors Rochdale and immigration solicitors Oldham call Scarsdale Oldham Solicitors, Scarsdale Manchester Solicitors and Scarsdale Rochdale Solicitors on 0161 660 6050.
