On my case (as discussed above), I raised a query with CIH team, I received following response which seems bit generic to me.
Thank you for contacting the Home Office Coronavirus Immigration Team about switching from your current immigration route due to issues related to COVID-19.
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, and who cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
Where you would normally be required to return to your country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, you now have until 31 July 2020 to apply to switch while you’re in the UK. This only applies if your leave has expired or will expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, including where your leave was previously extended to 31 March or to 31 May 2020.
You will need to be switching from/to an eligible route and you’ll need to meet the same visa requirements and pay the same application fee.
It is not possible to switch into short term visa routes where applications can only be made outside of the UK, such as:
Tier 5 Youth Mobility
Tier 5 Seasonal Worker
Tier 4 Chevening, Commonwealth and Marshall scholars
Overseas Domestic Workers
You should apply online, but you may not be able to book an appointment to enrol your biometrics immediately as appointments are only being released initially to people whose earlier appointments were cancelled due to COVID-19. However, you must still create a UKVCAS account once you complete your online application; this will allow us to contact you when new appointments become available.
If you have been advised that you can enrol your biometrics at a Post Office you should check the availability of services through the Post Office finder, as advised on your Biometric Enrolment letter, or through updates on GOV.UK.
Our Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are now offering a reduced number of appointments because of COVID-19. As more appointments are made available UKVI will invite customers, via email or post, to arrange an appointment.
Access UK is now holding applications for an increased period of 240 days. This will ensure that applications remain valid and support enrolment of biometric data once you’re able to book an appointment.
You will not be regarded as an overstayer or be subject to enforcement action if you are unable to attend a biometric appointment or if there are delays in processing your application due to COVID-19. The terms of your leave will remain the same until your application is decided.
Please continue to check the GOV.UK website, where up to date advice is published. The latest information and advice for visa holders and temporary residents can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -residents
Information on support available to visa holders and temporary residents in the UK is also available on GOV.UK, at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus ... -in-the-uk
The latest travel advice can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advi ... oronavirus
Coronavirus Immigration Team
Just trying to decipher this mail, and wanted to check few things, wondered if any expert can help?
1. Expiry date on last BRP we had was 12th June, and we have and ICT extension application submitted on 29th May which is underway (lates on that - I received a mail from UKVCAS yesterday saying that I no longer need appointment since they already have my finger prints and I will receive further instruction on how to submit documents and facial image etc). So will that account for my "leave expired between 24th Jan and 31st July, to be eligible to switch within UK before 31st July?
2. Since my current ICT extension application includes my spouse also on the same application, will she alone be able to (or need to) switch to T2 General VISA Application or will all of us need to switch (all on one application)?
3. Is this the right link to be used to apply switching from TIER 2 ICT route to TIER 2 General route (in UK) for my case?
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... 1593384295
4. I notice that this link (as above) asks for following question after I answer question on my current location.
Do you currently have an application with the Home Office for leave to remain for which you have not yet received a decision?
Since I only have one application reference number from my current ICT extension application, will that be alone be sufficient to be entered if in case just my spouse switch to TIER 2 general visa application or will have to enter it multiple times if in case we all are switching at the same time on same application?
5. If we submit the switch application, will we be refunded the VISA Fee and IHS fee paid for TIER 2 ICT extension submitted on 29th may (on which decision is yet to be made)?
6. In case our switching application decision is negative, does the previous application ICT extension stay applicable anymore?
7. When switching from here in the UK (as per details above), do we need to provide TB test documents or any sort of medical documents?
8. Do TIER 2 general dependants require to fulfil English language requirement (e.g. NARIC or IELTS, like main application on T2 General)?
9. Will the VISA fee be applied as outside UK (e.g. £1220) or switch in UK (e.g. £1408) for 5 year length?
Thanks in advance!
