All of the UK visa application centres located overseas were closed for quite a long time but as of mid-August 2020, most of them have now reopened.
In order to check if the visa application centre for a country is open, go to the website of TLScontact (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) or VFS Global (rest of the world) and select the country from the menu.
If the application centre in your country is closed, you can make an appointment in another country, albeit “subject to that country’s entry requirements”. This will be reviewed by 30th November 2020; whether it is extended will depend on whether all of the VACs have been able to open back up again.
Biometrics
The Home Office no longer insists that applicants provide a new set of fingerprints every single time that they extend their leave. The guidance now says that, if it allows previous fingerprints to be reused, the applicant can send in a photograph along with certain supporting documents. Where this applies, “it will mean that you don’t have to attend a UKVCAS or SSC service point appointment in order to provide your biometric information”.
On the 3rd September 2020, the Home Office published guidance on changes to biometrics because of the coronavirus pandemic. Please note that this now seems to be limited only to certain non-asylum applications that were made prior to the 1st of August 2020.
The Home Office has set up a coronavirus helpline. You can email CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk or call 0800 678 1767 between Monday and Friday, 9 am till 5 pm.
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.
