UKVI CHANGES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS | 16 OCTOBER UPDATE
This video update is for visa customers and applicants in the UK and outside the UK affected by restrictions caused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are making a visa application to enter the UK or remain on the grounds of family or private life
If you plan to depart from the UK but were could not to do so by 31 August 2020, you should request additional time to stay in the UK, also known as ‘exceptional assurance’, by filling the online form (link mentioned below in the description box and comments section).
If your visa expires after 31 August 2020, you can submit your UK Visa application from inside the UK where you would generally need to apply for a visa from your home country if:
- your UK visa application is urgent, for instance if you want to begin employment and unable to apply from outside the UK
- you are unable to apply for the visa from outside the UK due to Covid-19 restrictions.
If you are in the UK with 6 months’ leave as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and your marriage ceremony or civil ceremony has been postponed because of the coronavirus you can request additional time to reside in the UK, also known as ‘exceptional assurance’, by filling in the online form and showing proof of when your wedding will occur.
Or else, you can apply to extend your stay for a further 6 months for the ceremony to happen.
Updates to the minimum income and sufficient maintenance requirement
If you have gone through a loss of income because of the Covid-19 up to 1 January 2021, The UK Home Office will consider employment earnings for the period instantaneously before the loss of income, only if the minimum income obligation was met for at least 6 months before the date the income was lost due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Please note that if your salary has decreased due to the reason that you were furloughed, the UK Home Office will consider your income as though you are earning 100% of your salary.
If you are self-employed, a deficit of annual income because of the covid-19 from 1 March 2020 till 1 January 2021 will generally be ignored, along with the influence on employment income from the same period for upcoming visa applications.
If you are not able to submit specified documents
In some scenarios, the UK Home Office will be able to make a decision on your visa application without considering particular specified documents if you are unable to get them because of the coronavirus. If not, you will be requested to submit the certain documents after the date of UK visa application.