The latest announcements from the government:
Frontline health workers and their family members who have
– a visa that’s due to expire before 1 October 2020; and
– who work for the NHS or in the independent healthcare sector
are eligible to extend their visa for an extra one year free of charge.
The extension will apply from the date the visa is due to expire. The family members’ visas will be extended in line with the main visa holder.
If the visa is due to expire after 1 October 2020, it won’t get the free extension. It needs to be extended in the normal way.
The automatic visa extension offer will apply to individuals who work for the NHS or independent health and care providers as a:
- biochemist
- biological scientist
- dental practitioner
- health professional
- medical practitioner
- medical radiographer
- midwife
- nurse
- occupational therapist
- ophthalmologist
- paramedic
- pharmacist
- physiotherapist
- podiatrist
- psychologist
- social worker
- speech and language therapist
- therapy professional
It has been confirmed that the NHS workers can carry out supplementary work in any role at any skill level during the coronavirus outbreak. There is no restriction on the number of hours they can work.
Working at a new NHS location
Sponsored NHS workers can work at any NHS hospital during the coronavirus outbreak if their sponsor can maintain their sponsorship duties.
Sponsors will not need to notify UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) of the change in their place of work.
