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Coronavirus - Summary of Immigration Changes Affecting Universities

on Tuesday, 07 April 2020.

Amongst the raft of guidance issued by the government dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, universities will be keeping a close eye out for announcements affecting their international students and employees.

Thankfully, the Home Office now has a single page on GOV.UK where this guidance is now collated. The guidance published to date by the Home Office covers a range of issues, including:

  • provisions for temporary residents unable to leave the UK due to travel restrictions or because they are self-isolating

  • arrangements for individuals waiting for decisions on UK visa applications submitted overseas

  • a concession for individuals who are unable to leave the UK to make visa applications in order to return in other categories

  • concessions for sponsors of Tier 2 and Tier 5 migrants who are concerned about their sponsorship duties while sponsored employees are unable to work or are working from home

  • confirmation that sponsored workers can be furloughed (provided it is part of an organisation-wide policy to avoid redundancies)

  • concessions for Tier 4 sponsors whose international students who have had to stop studying and/or switched to distance learning

  • arrangements for sponsored employees and students who have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) but not yet applied for a visa

Coronavirus Legal Advice


There is now also an update to the rules employers which must follow when conducting Right to Work checks on employees and prospective new employees. We have compiled a list of FAQs relating to the new requirements.

The Home Office has promised to review and update its coronavirus-related guidance weekly. We shall continue to keep you updated on the key issues affecting universities.


For legal advice about the immigration issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak, please contact Tom Brett Young on 07393 148 352, or complete our contact form below.

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