One thing that has become clear during the Covid-19 pandemic is that the UK Government is taking care of its migrant workers during the pandemic. There are almost daily updates on Covid-19 related immigration issues that affect South Africans in the UK and those looking to move to the UK. Breytenbachs has compiled a list of some of the latest updates.

Furlough extended to October 2020

The UK Government has a pay wage scheme that enables UK employers to place workers on furlough during the pandemic. Workers receive 80% of their monthly wages up to £2,500 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Government has extended the pay wage scheme to October 2020.

Migrants in the UK can also continue to benefit from this scheme. Furthermore, if a migrant worker is placed on furlough, it will not impact their immigration status as furlough is not considered to be “public funds”.

UK Visa Vignettes can replaced and extended for 90 days

Many South Africans are very worried as their UK visa vignettes are expiring during the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and they are not able to travel to the UK.

The UK Government has confirmed that if a person has a 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or, to join family, and the visa has expired or is about to expire, the person can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates until the end of 2020.

It is possible to request revised validity dates of up to 90 days until the end of 2020.

Please contact Breytenbachs at info@bic-immigration.com for assistance in this regard.

Visa Extensions for Migrant Health and Care Workers

The UK Government offers free visa extensions to doctors, nurses, and paramedics employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Crucial health and care workers (midwives, radiographers, social workers, and pharmacists) from overseas will also receive free visa extensions.

The free one-year visa extensions will be automatic for frontline workers whose visas expire between 31 March and 1 October 2020. The good news for such health workers is that the one-year extension will include their family members.

South African health workers and their families, working in the UK will thus also benefit from this free one-year visa extension.

International Travel to the UK

The UK Government has outlined its plan to start lifting restrictions and how it will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border. However, there is still no indication as to when international travel will be allowed to re-open. Breytenbachs expect, however, that it might be introduced shortly, and will keep our clients updated.

If you have any UK Immigration issue, that you need assistance with, please contact us at info@bic-immigration.com or visit our website at www.bic-immigration.com

Persons interested in working and living in the UK, please fill out our free online assessment at this link – https://bic-immigration.com/uk-immigration-assessment/