Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department is providing to foreign nationals who plan to remain in the UK long-term but are unable to extend their visa due to (a) financial difficulties and (b) not being able to access legal advice during the covid-19 outbreak.

We are taking compassionate and pragmatic measures to ensure appropriate support is available to individuals affected by and as a result of Covid-19.

Those looking to stay in the UK long-term can apply from the UK online to switch to a long-term UK visa until 31 May. The terms of individuals’ existing leave will remain the same until applications are decided. Further Guidance is available on Gov.uk.

Many existing measures also provide relevant support, for instance those eligible to apply for leave to remain or further leave to remain on a specified human rights route are also eligible to apply for a fee waiver.

A coronavirus immigration mailbox CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk has also been set up and there is a freephone number 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for those who wish to discuss their individual circumstances.c