Sanwar Ali: UK visa applications phased reopening 1 June 2020

By Sanwar Ali:

There will be a controlled, phased re-opening of Sopra Steria UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) Service Points from 1 June 2020 in the UK.  UK visa application centres abroad are also starting to reopen. Currently appointments in the UK will only be available to those who already had an appointment before the suspension occurred.

If you are applying from abroad it may be worth checking the TLS contact or VFS global websites to check for availability of appointments.  In addition, initially, there will be a reduced service with the service available in a limited number of locations in the UK and abroad. 

Please note that there are other ongoing restrictions relating to coronavirus and almost everyone arriving into the UK from 8 June 2020 will need to self isolate in quarantine for fourteen days. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam Deputy Chief Medical Officer gave another 10 Downing Street press briefing about the coronavirus COVID-19 situation on 30 May 2020.

Only rebookings available for previously postponed appointments in the UK

If you had an appointment before the suspension of the service, you should receive an email explaining how you can rebook your appointment.  You should rebook as soon as you can.   If you have not as yet received an email you should check your email account regularly.  Perhaps also check your spam filter.

You will not be charged again if you previously had an appointment.  You will also not see any appointment prices when you rebook the appointment.  Your postponed appointment will no longer show in your account allowing you to rebook at a different time at a Service Point.

The situation will remain under review to see when appointments for new applicants can be made.

The following UKVCAS Service Points in the UK will re-open on the 1st June:

This is currently only for those who had a previous appointment before the suspension and have rebooked.

• Birmingham (Core)
• Birmingham - Premium Lounge
• Chelmsford
• Exeter
• Leeds
• London - Croydon (Core)
• London - Premium Lounge (Mark Lane)
• London - ESP (Mark Lane)
• London - Victoria
• Manchester Fountain Street ESP
• Manchester - Premium Lounge
• Sheffield
• Southampton

UK visa application centres are also opening abroad

Again the services are somewhat limited and only some UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are resuming services.  If you are in a situation where you have had your appointment deferred, then you should be contacted and asked to make a new appointment.  For latest information on appointments and the possibility of making new appointments, you should visit the following websites:

• TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
• VFS global for all other countries

Some English language testing centres are reopening

Depending on the circumstances you do not necessarily need to take an English language test.   If you do need to take an English language test you should check the following websites:

• Visit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)’s website,
• Pearson Test of English website 
• LanguageCert website 

Workpermit.com can help with Tier 2 Visa Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 Visa

If you need help with a Tier 2 visa, or a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence, including help with complying with your Tier 2 Sponsor Licence obligations, workpermit.com can help.

For more information and advice on Tier 2 Sponsor Licences, UK immigration law and UK visa applications please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)