Student Immigration Service

UKVI guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19)

UKVI have released guidance for those who are unable to return to China due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

If you are a Chinese national and you have been compliant with the conditions of your visa prior to the coronavirus outbreak, your leave will be automatically extended to 31 March 2020 if your visa has an expiry date between 24 January 2020 and 30 March 2020.

You do not need to take any action to get this extension, and you will continue to be subject to the same immigration conditions as your last visa. 

You will not automatically receive a new visa or Biometric Residence Permit card but your new expiry date (31 March 2020) will be added to UKVI's systems. 

If you need a status letter confirming this extension, or a new Biometric Residence Permit with a revised expiry date, you should contact the coronavirus immigration helpline. 

If you have already applied to extend your visa you don’t need to do anything. If you are intending to apply to extend your stay in the UK before your current visa expires you should continue to do so.

Full UKVI guidance 

Coronavirus immigration helpline