COVID-19 FAQs Our award-winning team of dedicated lawyers advise businesses and individuals on the legal implications of COVID-19 from an immigration standpoint. We offer practical guidance, training and representation to our clients, and are actively involved in working with the government to help shape future immigration policy. UK | +44 (0)20 7469 6460 USA | +1 (212) 661 5401 ENQUIRIES@LAURADEVINE.COM SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST COVID-19 UK IMMIGRATION FAQ COVID-19 US IMMIGRATION FAQ COVID-19 Services Business Advising employers on ways to protect their workforce: providing bespoke updates as soon as new UK or US immigration guidance on COVID-19 is published by the Home Office or the relevant US government agency online seminars on the UK and US immigration implications of COVID-19 liaising with Home Office or US government contacts to assist with any complications for current or prospective employees filing applications or petitions to extend or change status for employees who are in the US and unable to depart auditing your HR department and providing a comprehensive action report on compliance with sponsor duties which have changed due to COVID-19 advising on the optimal UK and US immigration strategy for the talent pipeline beyond the pandemic Individual Providing strategic advice on the impact of COVID-19 for individuals: providing bespoke updates as soon as new UK and US immigration guidance on COVID-19 is published by the Home Office or the relevant US government agency assisting with the management of any procedural complications resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak keeping the Home Office aware of current status to ensure the protection of compliance with UK immigration laws for current/future applications regularly advising on the optimal strategy and options to achieve UK immigration objectives advising on implications of COVID-19 for dependants, colleagues and friends drafting documentation to provide to employers which explains and confirms current UK or US immigration status Frequently asked questions The COVID-19 outbreak was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation in March 2020. The outbreak has caused a plethora of UK immigration implications, and we set out below the answers to the most frequently asked questions by businesses and individuals in relation to this. In addition, LDI is currently working with the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and other leading UK law firms to obtain clarification from the Home Office to obtain clarification on all the UK immigration implications of COVID-19. If you require bespoke advice or assistance, have any COVID-19 or other UK/US immigration queries, please contact a member of the team at LDI or email enquiries@lauradevine.com. COVID-19: UK immigration My UK immigration permission is about to expire and I can’t leave the UK – will I become an overstayer? Is it possible to change the conditions of my current UK immigration permission? Can I make an application from within the UK to switch into another UK immigration route? My UK immigration application was approved but I’m unable to enter the UK within the 30-day validity period of the travel vignette in my passport – what should I do? What measures have been put in place for individuals arriving in the UK? Which countries are currently subject to a UK travel ban? Are there any requirements for individuals who wish to travel internationally from England? Questions for Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) sponsors How can we conduct right to work checks for our employees? I’m an Alternative Collection Location (ACL) – how can I arrange for BRPs to be delivered to my employees? What is the latest update on Visa Application Centres (VAC)? What is the latest update on UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centres? My local VAC/UKVCAS centre is still closed or I am unable to attend my new appointment due to COVID-19 restrictions – will this impact me? I want to submit a family life (Appendix FM) application – how will I be impacted? I’m stuck outside of the UK and my UK immigration permission is about to expire/has expired - what should I do? I’m stuck outside of the UK – will this impact the UK residence requirements for my application? I have been stuck outside the UK for a single period of two years – will my indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK lapse and what should I do? What is the latest update on English language and life in the UK test centres? I am a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – how will my application for leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain in the UK be impacted? I have permission under the Start-up route – how will my application for leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain in the UK be impacted? My Global Talent/Innovator/Start-up endorsement has expired – what should I do? What UK immigration services and requirements remain operational? I work for the NHS – how will my UK immigration status be impacted by COVID-19? What about other UK immigration issues? COVID-19: US immigration What does President Biden’s Executive Order of 24 February 2021 (“revocation of visa ban”) mean for US immigration? I have a trip to the US planned - will I be affected by the COVID-19 travel ban? Do I qualify for a National Interest Exception Waiver? I am travelling to the US and am either exempt from the travel restrictions or have received a National Interest Exception waiver from the Embassy - do I need a COVID-19 test before boarding my flight? My US immigration permission is nearing expiry and I am unable to depart the US – will I become an overstayer? I have an appointment at a USCIS office for biometrics, an interview or a naturalization ceremony - what should I do? My Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) extension request has been submitted, but I cannot provide my biometrics due to the ASC closures - will I lose my permission to work? I submitted a Premium Processing Application - will I still receive my decision in time? Due to the COVID-19 disruption, it has become impossible to obtain documents with original signatures - are any alternatives available? Is USCIS being flexible in relation to responses to requests for evidence, notices and filing requirements? I have or am planning to schedule an appointment to apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate - will I still be able to schedule and attend my appointment? London Laura Devine Immigration 100 Cannon Street London, EC4N 6EU UK +44 (0)20 7469 6460 New York Laura Devine Attorneys 295 Madison Avenue, 44th Floor New York, NY 10017 USA +1 (212) 661 5401 Legal Policies Site map Laura Devine Solicitors Limited trading as Laura Devine Immigration is registered in England and Wales as a limited company (8651204) at 100 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6EU. Partner is a term used by us to describe a director in the limited company. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (648320).