The Home Office made an announcement on the 31st of March 2020 that around 2,800 doctors, nurses or paramedics who had leave to remain that was due to expire before the 1st of October 2020 would be granted a one-year extension to free of charge. Their family members were to be included and there would be no fee.
On the 29th April, the Home Officer made another announcement that it would be extending the scheme in order to cover some other frontline workers, which included midwives, radiographers, pharmacists and social workers” – again, with visas that were due to expire before the 1st October 2020.
In a letter sent to the Home Affairs Committee written on the same date, it was confirmed that these extensions would be available to any person who is on the list of professions and who is subject to immigration control, not just those migrant workers who are sponsored on a Tier 2 (General) or a Tier 5 visa.
The list of eligible professions is published in full on the gov.uk website:
- biochemist
- biological scientist
- dental practitioner
- health professional
- medical practitioner
- medical radiographer
- midwife
- nurse
- occupational therapist
- ophthalmologist
- paramedic
- pharmacist
- physiotherapist
- podiatrist
- psychologist
- social worker
- speech and language therapist
- therapy professional
Any person not whose profession is on this list and whose visa expires after the 1st October 2020 will still have to pay for the extension.
If an NHS worker dies from COVID-19, their family members can get indefinite leave to remain free of charge. On the 20th May 2020, this was extended, so it also covered “NHS support staff and those working in social care”.
Scarsdale Solicitors – Manchester, Rochdale and Oldham Immigration Solicitors
If you need advice on an immigration issue, call the team of expert solicitors at Scarsdale Solicitors Oldham, Scarsdale Solicitors Manchester and Scarsdale Solicitors Rochdale. If you need the support of Manchester Immigration solicitors, Rochdale immigration solicitors and Oldham immigration solicitors, call Scarsdale Solicitors today on 0161 660 6050.
