Current position
- There is now updated guidance for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents. Those whose leave is expiring and have not yet applied for an extension in the UK are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave or apply to regularize their stay. Those leaving have been given a month’s grace period until 31 August. Those individuals unable to leave by 31 August must request ‘exceptional indemnity’ via the coronavirus immigration team (CIT)
- The Home Office has released new guidance for students and providers of Tier 4 and short-term study which replaces all guidance issued to date. Read the guidance for clarification around language testing, starting courses online, extending leave in the UK, online contact points, hours of study, volunteering and more.
- Visa holders and short-term residents can apply to have their leave extended to 31 May 2020 by contacting UKVI’s Coronavirus Immigration Team.
- All international students (on both Tier 4 and Short Term Study routes) may now apply from within the UK to extend their leave or switch to another immigration route.
- UKVI will not take any compliance action against students for non-attendance due to Covid-19 and sponsors should not report any such absences.
- Tier 4 students are permitted for the first time to study online either in the UK or overseas.
- IELTS tests have been cancelled across China until the end of April.
- UK citizens studying abroad have been advised to return to the UK.
- Sponsored employees who are waiting for their application to be decided can start work if they have been assigned a CoS, they submitted their application before their current visa expired and the role they are employed in is the same as the one on their CoS.
- All Chinese provinces have now announced dates for the staggered reopening of schools and universities
- There has been a joint ministerial letter published to international students
Official guidance
- Department for Education – Travel guidance for education settings
- Home Office – Covid-19 factsheet: visa customers outside of the UK
- Home Office – Covid-19 factsheet: visa holders and short-term residents in the UK
- Home Office – Covid-19 factsheet: guidance for sponsors
- Home Office – Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors
- Joint ministerial letter to international students on 9th April 2020
- Joint ministerial letter to international students’ on 22nd June 2020
- Home Office – Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students
- UKVI new guidance for visa migrants and visitors which gives those with leave expiring 31 July 2020 a month’s grace period to get a new visa or leave the UK. Those with leave until 31 August 2020 have the full month of August to do the same.
- The Home Office has made revisions to the guidance for migrants and visitors. This includes a new process for replacing expiring 30-day visas now that VACs are re-opening and a clarification that a new replacement will be valid for 90 days.
Useful resources
- UKCISA – Information for international students
- UKCISA – Mindfulness seminar
- UKCISA – HEPI Blog Looking after international students during the Covid-19 crisis – and after
- Carter Thomas – Guidance on Tier 4 student coronavirus (Covid-19) related absences
- Carter Thomas – UK immigration updates
- IC Cafe Webinars – HE International Student Recruitment Covid-19 Tracker
- British Council – All Chinese provinces have now announced dates for the staggered reopening of schools and universities
Joint ministerial letter to international students
Universities Minister Michelle Donelan MP has published a joint letter with her counterparts within the devolved administrations addressed to international students seeking to study in the UK. The letter,which IHE members have been asked to send to their prospective students, is written to ensure prospective students feel confident in their decision to come to the UK. It highlights:
- Universities and education providers are recruiting now and on an ongoing basis.
- The UK is launching a new Graduate work route for international students that will enable individuals to work, or look for work in the UK, at any skill level for two years after graduation.
- UK degrees main a globally high standard even if some provision is delivered online
- The UK government and devolved administrations are committed to safeguarding student wellbeing and safety
Please take a look on our website to read the documents in full.