UK extends visa of stranded Indians until May 31

The Boris Johnson government on Tuesday evening granted visa extension until May 31 of Indian citizens currently within the UK who are unable to travel their destinations in India and elsewhere Due to go bans in various countries.

The extension comes as some relief to Indians whose visas were on the boundary of expiring within the near future but were stranded due to the shortcoming to travel out of the united kingdom. These include some Indians who were transiting through the united kingdom to India. Many had booked tickets on flights that were cancelled.

The extension will apply to anyone whose leave expired after January 24 and who cannot leave the country due to travel restrictions or self-isolation; it lasts until May 31 but are kept under regular review just in case further extensions are needed, the house Office said.

Several Indians had approached the Indian High Commission to resolve the impasse in recent days. Some Indian students also demonstrated within the mission, while officials arranged their accommodation in hotels and worked with British officials to make sure that such individuals don't seem to be penalised, and therefore the visas extended.

India has similarly extended the visas of UK and other foreign nationals currently in India for tourism and other purposes but is unable to depart the country thanks to airlines stopping flights out of India.

The Home Office said a frenzied Covid-19 immigration team has been founded for the aim and asked anyone with expired or expiring visas to contact it, via email CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk. They're going to be then issued with the extension, it added.

To help people who want to use for visas to remain within the UK long-term, the house Office is additionally temporarily expanding the in-country switching provisions. this may mean people can apply to modify routes, like from Tier 4 (student) to Tier 2 (General Worker), while remaining within the UK.

Home secretary Priti Patel said: “The UK continues to place the health and well-being of individuals first and no-one are punished for circumstances outside of their control. By extending people’s visas, we are giving people peace of mind and also ensuring that those in vital services can continue their work”.

Those who contact the house Office for the visa extensions are expected to return to their home countries as soon as possible once flight and border restrictions are lifted. No action are taken during this point for people who email the house Office for the extension.

In light of this advice on self-isolation and social distancing, the house Office is additionally waiving variety of requirements on visa sponsors, like allowing non-EU nationals here underwork or study routes to undertake their work or study from home.