Some people who were within the UK when the coronavirus pandemic hit found themselves unable to leave before their visa expired because of the travel restrictions. The UK government had, until recently, been extending visas through an online process, but that concession is now over.
The Coronavirus concession was first introduced on 17th February 2020. It conferred leave to remain until 31st March to Chinese citizens whose UK visas had an expiry date between 24 January and 30 March 2020. It is also allowed for non-EEA nationals in the UK who normally reside in China to get an extension by email.
The concession was amended to cover all nationalities on the 24th March, extending vias to 31st May. On 22nd May the Home Office extended the concession to 31st July and added a “grace period” so people could stay until 31st August. The Home Office said that it did not need to be notified if someone needed to stay during this grace period.
How about now the grace period is over? It is still possible to request an extension case, although only if your visa will expire between 1st September and 31st October 2020. The Home Office calls this an “exceptional assurance”:
If you are granted this ‘exceptional assurance’ it acts as short-term protection against adverse action or consequences, but it does not grant you extra leave.
When it was first introduced it was known as “exceptional indemnity”. People requesting this exemption need to contact the coronavirus helpline and explain why they cannot leave the UK by 31 October.
Scarsdale Solicitors – Manchester, Rochdale and Oldham Immigration Solicitors
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