Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

This is advice for visa customers and applicants associated with COVID-19.

If you’re in the UK

There are no current COVID-19 visa application concessions for customers in the UK. You’ll need to follow the normal visa rules for your chosen visa.

If you need more information about the measures in place for students and their sponsors you can read detailed guidance on the temporary measures in place for Student sponsors, their students and short-term students in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

If you’re outside the UK

There are no current COVID-19 visa application concessions for customers outside the UK. You’ll need to follow the normal visa rules for your chosen visa.

Applying for a UK visa

If you’re planning to travel to the UK, you’ll need to make sure you comply with any COVID-19 travel restrictions. Please check the travel advice issued by your carrier and check what you need to do before entering the UK.

Separate guidance is available if you’re entering Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Visa Application Centres (VACs)

UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow.

For more information, and for updates to the status of VACs, including opening times in your country, check with:

  • TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
  • VFS global for all other countries
Published 24 March 2020
Last updated 1 August 2023 + show all updates
  1. Updated page summary in line with current advice.

  2. Content has been updated to reflect the current guidance.

  3. Removed exceptional assurance concession references as this ended on 30 November 2022.

  4. Exceptional assurance provision ends 30 November 2022.

  5. Updated as the concession for Health and Care Workers has closed.

  6. The concessions for those working for the NHS expired on 4 October 2022.

  7. The Exceptional Assurance has been extended to 30 November 2022.

  8. Updated the expiry date of the exceptional assurance to 31 October 2022.

  9. Updated content in the 'If you're outside the UK' section.

  10. Added concession ending dates for if you are applying for a Health and Care Worker visa and if you are working for the NHS.

  11. Updated processing times for applications if you are outside the UK.

  12. Changes have been made to the ‘Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed’ section.

  13. Updated to extend the exceptional assurance date from 30 June 2022 to 30 September 2022.

  14. Changed the expiry date for exceptional assurance from 31 May 2022 to 30 June 2022.

  15. Updated to advise that applications for visit, transit, study, work and family visas are taking longer to process. This is due to UKVI prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications.

  16. Changed the expiry date for a visa, leave or ‘exceptional assurance’ from 30 April 2022 to 31 May 2022.

  17. Added 'Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker' to the list of work and volunteering options.

  18. Guidance updated, including an extension, to 30 June, of the concession allowing applications to be submitted at any VAC if your VAC is closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

  19. Updated details to highlight that the date of the exceptional assurance has been extended to 30 April 2022.

  20. Removed sections titled 'If you work in healthcare and your visa expires between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021' and 'If you’re a pre-registration nurse or midwife on the Temporary Register in the UK' as the concessions have ended.

  21. Added link to information about visa decision waiting times.

  22. Amended ‘If you’re in the UK’ section, updating exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry date to 31 March 2022. Removed section covering 'If you are in the UK but your Entry Clearance was not activated due to COVID-19 restrictions' as the concession is no longer available.

  23. Concession allowing applications to be made at any VAC if your country's VAC is closed has been extended to 31 March.

  24. In the chapter on 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life', updated the 'If you’re unable to provide specified documents' section to extend the deadline to 31 March 2022.

  25. Removed link to the temporary concession for coronavirus (COVID-19) related research as the concession has ended. Updated 'If you're applying for a Global Talent visa' section to advise that if you received an endorsement from a Global Talent endorsing body and you have not been able to apply for a visa within the 3-month deadline due to COVID-19 related reasons, you may still be eligible.

  26. Updated "If you have a Start-up visa and your business has been disrupted" section.

  27. Updated as the Returning Resident refund concession has now been closed.

  28. Updated to reflect removal of the red list at 4:00am on 15 December 2021.

  29. Guidance updated - you cannot use the ‘priority service’ or ‘super priority service’ if you’re applying from a country or territory on the red list for international travel.

  30. Updated information on individuals currently in the UK and seeking to apply for 'exceptional assurance', highlighting that UKVCAS service points remain open and appointments are available and confirmation that a pause on assessing visit visas in red list locations has been introduced with for those countries added to the red list from today.

  31. Updated section "If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life".

  32. Information on applying for a visitor visa has been updated.

  33. Guidance updated to take account of changes to travel restrictions.

  34. Updated page due to red list changes.

  35. Updated page due to the simplified travel system which came into force on 4 October.

  36. Updated 'If you're in the UK' section.

  37. Updated "If you intend to stay in the UK" and “If you’re outside the UK” sections.

  38. Updated the section "If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life".

  39. Paragraphs under the heading 'If you’re a child coming to school in the UK' added to the 'If you’re outside the UK' content area.

  40. Updated information for student if your 90 day student visa vignette has expired.

  41. Removed paragraph relating to enrolment of biometrics at Post Office branches from paragraph entitled 'Application and service centres in the UK'.

  42. Changes to the If you’re outside the UK section and paragraphs under heading 'If you’re outside the UK and your leave has expired before you are able to return' removed to reflect end of concession on 19 July 2021.

  43. Updated Returning Resident visa refund request email to CovidRRR@fco.gov.uk.

  44. Updated section 'If you're outside the UK and your leave has expired before you are able to return' as the concession has been extended to 19 July 2021.

  45. Updated information under the If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life section.

  46. Date until which people may apply for 'exceptional assurance' extended to 30 September 2021.

  47. Guidance added for people whose Entry Clearance was not activated because of COVID-19 restrictions.

  48. Date of the VAC concessions has been extended until 31 December 2021.

  49. Updates to section: "If you’re applying for a visitor visa".

  50. Revised dates published in the following sections: 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life', 'Changes to the minimum income and adequate maintenance requirement'

  51. 'If you intend to stay in the UK' section - updated guidance on being able to exceptionally make an application in the UK under Covid-19 concessions.

  52. Concession for people who are outside the UK, and their leave has expired before they were able to return, has been extended to 21 June 2021.

  53. Guidance on travel from Red, Amber, Green list countries published.

  54. If you are in a red list country and wish to apply for a visitor in transit or direct airside transit visa (DATV) we are now able to process your application, as the pause on issuing transit visas has been lifted.

  55. Changed expiry date for free visa extensions for NHS workers to 30 September 2021.

  56. Under 'Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed', the date by which you can use the alternative arrangements has been extended to 30 June 2021. (It was previously 31 March 2021.)

  57. Amended ‘If you’re in the UK’ section, updating exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry date to 30 June 2021.

  58. Amended ‘If you’re in the UK’ section, updating exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry date to 30 April 2021.

  59. Updated guidance in the 'if you intend to stay in the UK' section.

  60. Amended 'If you're in the UK' section, updating exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry dates to between 1 March 2021 and 31 March 2021.

  61. Added new information under "New coronavirus testing and quarantine rules" section.

  62. Updated guidance for 'If you're applying for a visitor visa, visa in transit or direct airside transit visa (DAT)'. Added guidance for 'If you've remained outside the UK for over 2 years and due to coronavirus travel restrictions your indefinite leave has lapsed'. Added guidance for those who have already obtained a Returning Resident visa because their indefinite leave lapsed on or after 24 January 2020.

  63. Updated 'If you're outside the UK' section to include information about applying for a visa to the UK.

  64. The concessions to the family and private life section have been extended until 31 May 2021.

  65. Updated content under 'If you intend to stay in the UK' section.

  66. Updated exceptional assurance visa expiry dates to 1 January 2021 and 28 February 2021.

  67. Added information for those outside the UK whose leave has expired before they are able to return to the UK and updated information referring to the free replacement of expired vignettes.

  68. Added continuation of service notice regarding new coronavirus restrictions.

  69. Added information on Occupational Structured Clinical Examination deadline extension.

  70. Updated content under 'If you intend to stay in the UK' and 'If you’ve applied for a work visa and are waiting for a decision on your application' sections.

  71. Updated guidance.

  72. Updated content under 'If your 30 day visa to work, study or join family has expired' section.

  73. Updated information for Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Start-up visa holders.

  74. Updated to explain that the period for requesting exceptional assurance has been extended.

  75. Updated information about how to submit request for exceptional assurance because of technical difficulties with the online form.

  76. Updated to include visa extension for healthcare workers whose visa expires between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.

  77. Updated UK VAC concession to 31 March 2021.

  78. Updated information to explain that overseas services will remain open but dependent on local country restrictions, and that our in-country immigration services (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services, Service and Support Centres and English Language Test centres) will remain open. Updated 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life' section to explain that the period for requesting exceptional assurance has been extended.

  79. Updated information for if you're in the UK and your visa or leave expires between 1 November and 30 November 2020. Updated 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life' section to include information about the job support scheme and family emergency cases.

  80. Updated family and private visa concession and loss of income information.

  81. Updated 'Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed' to add that customers can now apply for a visit visa from any VAC.

  82. Added guidance on if you're a Tier 4 student applicant in the UK and have given your fingerprints before.

  83. Updated guidance on applying for a visa if your VAC is closed, for those who have already applied online and now wish to submit their application at a different VAC than the one they selected. Updated 'If you're in the UK' to note that if conditions allowed you to work, study or rent accommodation you may continue to do so during the period of your exceptional assurance.

  84. Updated to clarify for those whose visa or leave expires after 31 August 2020.

  85. Updated guidance on 'Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed'.

  86. Updated the 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life' section. Added information on applying for a visa if your VAC is closed.

  87. Updated to add information on if your endorsement has expired for a Global Talent, Start-up or Innovator visa.

  88. Updated to add a link to the coronavirus immigration helpline contact form.

  89. Updated to reference that most UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow.

  90. Updated to clarify for those whose visa or leave expires before 31 August 2020.

  91. Updated information if you’re in the UK and your leave expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020.

  92. Added information on how to request a replacement visa for if your 30 day visa to work, study or join family has expired.

  93. Added Pearson Test of English to the list of English Testing Centres.

  94. Updated process on biometric information.

  95. Added link to guidance for applicants in New Zealand who applied through an enrolment location operated by Immigration New Zealand. Added information on concessions for Global Talent visa applicants who are working on coronavirus research.

  96. Updated to clarify information for those in the UK whose visa will expire after 31 July 2020 but need to urgently make a new application.

  97. Updated to clarify that the reopening of VAC locations remains subject to local circumstances.

  98. Updated to add information on some VACs reopening.

  99. Updated information on Service and Support Centres, English language tests, and 90 day validity of replacement visas.

  100. Added a new section on temporary concessions if you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life.

  101. Updated information if you are outside the UK, getting your documents and for British nationals abroad who need to apply for a passport.

  102. Updated section on applying for a British passport from overseas.

  103. Response times updated.

  104. Updated information on UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and UK Visa Application Centres (VACs). Added a link to guidance on how to cancel your visa. Added a link to the latest information on changes at the border.

  105. Visa extensions for those unable to leave the UK because of coronavirus have been extended to 31 July 2020. The deadline for making an application from the UK to switch to a visa that would normally require you to apply from your home country has been extended to 31 July 2020.

  106. Updated Secure English Language Test (SELT) contact information.

  107. Updated information about calling the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre: check call charges with your phone provider if you're calling from abroad.

  108. Added further guidance for frontline health workers on working in different locations, carrying out supplementary work. The list of frontline workers affected has been expanded to include more occupations.

  109. Added information on what to do if your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired or is about to expire.

  110. Added a link to coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance: Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students.

  111. Added link to Tier 2 worker guidance to explain that some NHS workers and their families will get their visas automatically extended because of coronavirus.

  112. Information added about applicants who can start work or study in the UK before their visa application has been decided.

  113. Added link to form for visa holders to update their information with the Coronavirus Immigration Team.

  114. Guidance added for NHS staff, holders of Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas and those applying for a Global Talent, Start-up or Innovator visa.

  115. UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS), Post Office enrolment services and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are temporarily closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

  116. Updated to add information on the 5 working day response time for helpline emails.

  117. First published.