Blogs > Visas

FAQ on Visa's during COVID19

• May 15, 2020

1. When will Visa centres reopen?

Unfortunately this is not something that we can provide an answer too. Visa offices will reopen when the government believes it is safe to do so. To keep updated on your local Visa office and the services it is currently offering, see the following:

• If you’re in Europe, Africa and Parts of the Middle East, follow the link here to TLS Contact, and select the location where you are going to submit your Visa Application
• If you’re in any other country, follow the link here to VFS Global and select the location of submission.
   

2. My Trust is not issuing a COS despite my job offer, why and what should I do?

Do not worry if you are in this situation. A lot of Trusts will not be issuing CoS’s due to the fact they know that Visa centres are closed. Simply put, there is no point in issuing a CoS to you if you can’t apply for a Visa. Keep patient, and once the pandemic begins to ease, your Trust will issue you your CoS.
 

3. I know someone who has received a CoS but I haven’t received mine?

As previously stated, do not worry! It will vary from Trust to Trust whether CoS’s are getting issued. Those that have received a CoS will be in a situation where it will expire.
 

4. My 30 day vignette has expired. What do I do now?

If your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year.

To make a request, contact the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. You’ll need to include your name, nationality, date of birth and your GWF reference number with ‘REPLACEMENT 30 DAY VISA’ in the subject line. If you’ve already contacted us about this, please let us know in your email.

You’ll be contacted when our VACs reopen to arrange for a replacement visa to be endorsed in your passport. You will not be penalised for being unable collect your BRP while coronavirus measures are in place. This process will be in place until the end of 2020.
 

5. I want to switch to a Tier 2 Visa from the UK but Visa Centres are closed. What do I do?

This Switch is only valid until the 31^st May 2020 and is only for those currently in the UK. All documents such as your Police Certificate and GMC registration will be required. This includes applications where you would usually need to apply for a visa from your home country. You’ll need to meet the requirements of the route you are applying for and pay the UK application fee. This includes those whose leave has already been automatically extended to 31 March 2020. You can apply online. The terms of your leave will remain the same until your application is decided. Where you would normally have to attend a Biometrics appointment, these are currently not taking place. You will however need to attend one of these, once social distancing measures have been lifted. 

6. I have applied to switch to a Tier 2 Visa from the UK. What happens next?

If you’ve applied for a Tier 2 or 5 visa and are waiting for a decision on your application

• You can start work before your visa application has been decided if:you have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• you submitted your application before your current visa expired and you show your sponsor evidence of this
• the job you start is the same as the one listed on your CoS
• If your application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused your sponsor will stop sponsoring you and you must stop working for them.

7. My Exams have been delayed due to Corona Virus, can I get a temporary Visa to come and work in the NHS whilst waiting?

Unfortunately not. In order to work within the NHS you will need full GMC Registration, which will require you to complete your relevant exams. Once you have registration you will then be eligible to apply for a Visa through your job offer. We’re advising all of our Doctors who are experiencing exam delays to stay patient and use this time to study.