New Delhi (NVI): Amidst the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the United Kingdom today provided relief to all the foreign nationals in the country by offering to extend their visas till May 31.
The foreign nationals, who are currently living in the UK and whose visa expired after January 24, will have to send mail at [email protected], regarding their visa extension until May 31, the British High Commission said in a release today.
“Emails should outline the situation for why individuals are unable to return, their name and their previous visa reference number,” the release said.
For any query related to visa, individuals can contact at free helpline number- 0800678 1767 from Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm, it said.
However, this timeline will be kept under review in case further extension is needed.
The UK is also temporarily expanding the in-country switching provisions. This will mean people can apply to switch routes, such as from Tier 4 (student) to Tier 2 (General Worker), whilst remaining in the UK, the release said.
It added that the visas of International visitors in India can be extended until midnight, April 15, upon submission of an online application to the Foreigners Registration Office or else they can contact at given helpline numbers—New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100; Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151; Mumbai: +91 (22) 6650 2222.
“We are also collecting information on British nationals in India who want to return to the UK, to help us understand how best to support them and to advise them when commercial flights to the UK become available,” the High Commission said.
“Please email [email protected]with your details including name, age, date of birth, passport number, visa status, date of arrival and planned return, contact, location, and any special circumstances (such as medical condition),” the commission added.
“UK continues to put the health and wellbeing of people first and nobody will be 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,” British Home Secretary Priti Patel said.
“I am acutely aware of how distressing the current situation is for travellers unable to return home. This announcement will hopefully provide some reassurance to the many Indian nationals currently in the UK. Separately, in India, my staff and I are working around the clock to make sure that British nationals in India who need help are receiving support,” the Acting High Commissioner to India, Jan Thompson said.
