Visa extensions till 15 May offered to foreigners stranded in UK

Individuals, who are in the UK and whose visas expired after 24 January, have been asked to email to CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk outlining the reason for their extended stay, their name and their previous visa reference number. A free helpline number 08006781767 is also functional for any queries weekdays between 9 am to 5 pm, reports senior journalist Smita Sharma.

New Delhi: In a significant relief for Foreign Nationals including Indians stuck in the UK amid the CoronaVirus pandemic, it has been decided to extend visas of those affected.

For all foreign nationals already in the UK whose visas expired after 24 January can now email to the Home Office and get an extension till 31st May this year. It is a welcome move for foreign nationals who were unable to return home following global lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Individuals who are in the UK and fit the category have been asked to email to CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk outlining the reason for their extended stay, their name and their previous visa reference number. A free helpline number 08006781767 is also functional for any queries weekdays between 9 am to 5 pm.

“The UK continues to put the health and well being of people first and nobody will be punished for circumstances outside of their control. By extending people’s visas, we are giving people peace of mind and also ensuring that those in vital services can continue their work,’ said British Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Officials have assured that if required this timeline would be reviewed for further extensions. The in-country switching provisions are also being expanded temporarily. This would allow people while remaining in the UK to switch routes such as from Tier 4 (student) to Tier 2 (General Worker), thus allowing them to sustain themselves if they need to work.

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, hoped this would provide some reassurance to many Indians stranded in the UK. “I am acutely aware of how distressing the current situation is for travellers unable to return home. This announcement will hopefully provide some reassurance to the many Indian nationals currently in the UK. Separately, in India, my staff and I are working around the clock to make sure that British nationals in India who need help are receiving support,” said Thompson.

Meanwhile, in reciprocity, India too has announced a visa period for all international visitors in the country to be extended until midnight of April 15. To seek the visa extension foreign nationals have been asked to submit an online application to the Foreigners Registration Office. India has banned the entry of foreign nationals from 37 countries starting March 17 and all commercial airline operations came to a halt on March 22.

Foreign Embassies Help Citizens Return Home

UK is among countries including Japan, US, Germany, Afghanistan and Russia that is trying to facilitate evacuation flights for its nationals in India. The UK High Commission through its mission has asked British nationals to provide information if they want to return and be advised about when commercial flights to the UK become available.

The German embassy in India has been operating a 24/7 crisis center in Liason with European Union colleagues to organise evacuation flights for its stranded tourists in coordination with the Indian government. A special Lufthansa flight tonight will be flying back some 500 people including German, EU nationals as well as some Indians with permanent residency in Germany from Delhi to Frankfurt. Another special flight will take off Thursday late night with approximately 500 more nationals.

There are some estimated 5000 German tourists in India . In a video broadcast through the official twitter handle of the embassy, German Ambassador Walter Linder earlier informed that those flying back were brought in from Rishikesh and Jaipur Tuesday late night through bus convoys. He asked his country’s citizens to try and shift to hotels close to Delhi airport to prepare for the evacuation flights. Clearances from the Indian government are awaited for additional evacuation flights proposed by the German embassy.

Earlier this morning two special flights flew back 388 Russian nationals from Delhi and 126 from Goa to Moscow. While another evacuation flight is not planned at the moment, the embassy in Delhi through its three consulates has appealed to several thousands of Russian nationals estimated in India to be in touch and seek advice regarding return if needed.

The Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiry tweeted to inform that visitors from Afghanistan in India can look forward to return starting Thursday. “Urgent: Following vigorous follow-ups, the proposal of evacuating all stranded Afghan citizens in India is likely to be approved by the Indian Govt starting tomorrow. We ask our stranded fellow Afghans to contact KamAir for their flight details. Thanks to our Indian partners,” wrote Qadiry.