Thank you for contacting me about NHS staff and immigration as the Coronavirus outbreak continues.
I couldn’t agree with you more that we have seen courageous and heroic efforts made by front-line staff during this pandemic and we owe them an immense debt of gratitude.
I am particularly pleased that the Government has taken action to ensure the immigration system does not unduly infringe the ability of the NHS to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. Healthcare professionals (see the list of eligible professions below) working for the NHS or independent healthcare providers will have their visas automatically extended by one year if it is due to expire before 1 October 2020. I am pleased that family members with a visa due to expire before 1 October 2020 could also have their visa extended.
The Government has made sure that the extension is free and the immigration health surcharge will not have to be paid as part of this extension. I know Ministers are aware of the pressure frontline health workers are under at the current time and therefore recognise the need to make this process as easy as possible. It is good news that eligible staff do not need to apply for this extension.
I note your concerns regarding the eligibility criteria, and I have raised these with the Home Office team. However, it is important to remember that the visa extensions are just one part of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and you may be pleased to know that Ministers have been clear that they continue to consider how best to support the health and social care sector.
In April, the bereavement scheme was introduced for health workers in the NHS and independent health and care sector. The Home Secretary said at the time that her team would continue to work hard to look at ways to provide further support. I welcome the fact that the Home Office is now extending the offer of indefinite leave to remain, free of charge, to the families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers who have tragically died of Coronavirus in pursuit of saving others.
I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement that NHS and care workers will be exempted from the Immigration Health Surcharge fee as soon as possible, as a testament to their inspirational work throughout this crisis. I will continue to monitor this issue closely as more details emerge.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Craig Whittaker MP
July 2020
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACTS AND GUIDANCE
Home Office Guidance
If you’re a health worker, you may be eligible for a 1-year extension to your visa for free. This is because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
To get the extension, you must:
- have a visa that expires between 31 March and 1 October 2020
- work for the NHS or an independent healthcare provider in an eligible profession
The extension will apply from the date your visa is due to expire.
If your visa is due to expire after 1 October 2020, you will not get the free extension. You’ll need to extend your visa in the normal way.
If you’re eligible, your family members may also be able to get a 1-year extension.
Eligible professions
Your visa will be extended if you’re a:
- biochemist
- biological scientist
- dental practitioner
- health professional
- medical practitioner
- medical radiographer
- midwife
- nurse
- occupational therapist
- ophthalmologist
- paramedic
- pharmacist
- physiotherapist
- podiatrist
- psychologist
- social worker
- speech and language therapist
- therapy professional
Check with your employer if you’re not sure whether you work in an eligible profession.
Family members
Your family members may also be able to get a 1-year extension to their visas for free. To be eligible, all of the following must be true:
- You’re an eligible health worker and your visa expires between 31 March and 1 October 2020
- Your family member is a dependant on your visa
- Your family member’s visa expires between 31 March and 1 October 2020
The extension will apply from the date their visa is due to expire.
If you’re a health worker with indefinite leave to remain, your family members will not be eligible to extend their visas for free. They’ll need to extend their visas in the normal way.
How to get the extension
Your employer will tell UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you’re eligible for the extension.
Once your employer tells you to, post your and your family’s current biometric residence permits (BRPs) to UKVI. Your employer might offer to do this for you.
If both you and your family members are eligible, you must send your BRPs together. Family members cannot send their BRPs themselves.
UK Visas and Immigration
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA
UKVI will return your BRPs to your employer after your visa has been extended.
It’s free and you will not have to pay the immigration health surcharge as part of this extension.
If you’ve already applied for an extension
Email the UKVI NHS team to withdraw your existing visa extension application and apply for a refund.
You cannot do this if you have already provided your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) as part of that application.
UK Visas and Immigration NHS team
UKVINHSTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk