Last modified: 17 March 2020
The UK government has released immigration guidance for everyone affected by Coronavirus travel restrictions. Please refer to this page for the latest advice, which we will also highlight here when new information becomes available.
The government understands that in these exceptional circumstances, students may be unable to attend studies as required by the terms of their visa. The guidance states:
"The Home Office recognises the current situation is exceptional and will not take any compliance action against students or employees who are unable to attend their studies/work due to the coronavirus outbreak, or against sponsors which authorise absences and continue to sponsor students or employees despite absences for this reason.
The Home Office will keep this under review, especially if the length of absences mean a potential repeat of period of studies become necessary.”
A Home Office coronavirus immigration helpline and email address is available for immigration enquiries related only to Coronavirus:
Telephone: 0800 678 1767, open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Calls are free of charge.
Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.
We understand that UKVI (the UK Visas and Immigration department of the Home Office) will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. UKCISA is in regular communication with the UK Home Office to represent the interests of international students during this outbreak. We will continue to update our guidance, here on this page, as soon as we receive any updates.
For support or clarification on any of the information given here, you can call the UKCISA Student Advice Line on +4420 7788 9214 between 1.00pm and 4.00pm (UK time) between Monday and Friday, except for public holidays.
Article published by UKCISA
Alternatively, you may contact your educational sponsor for more information whether you are in or outside of the United Kingdom.
