UKVI has issued guidance on circumstances surrounding current visas and visa applications given travel restrictions and other attendant issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Two factsheets, one for visa applicants and one for sponsors, and a full report for sponsors of Tier 4 and short-term study visas are attached below. Here are some of the key points:

• No individual who is in the UK legally and whose visa expired after 24 January 2020, or is due to expire, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future if they cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19.
• A visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if an individual cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Individuals must update their records with the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) if their visa is expiring and were not planning to stay in the UK.
• Sponsors do not need to withdraw sponsorship for new students who have been issued a Tier 4 visa but are distance learning because they have been unable to travel to the UK.
• New international students who have not yet applied for a visa but want to start a course by distance learning do not require sponsorship under Tier 4. This is because they do not need to travel to the UK.

For more information, please see the UKVI website, or sign up to our global update newsletter by updating your contact preferences to receive communications from us.