目前英國疫情拐點還未出現。在接下來的一段時間裡，英國的抗疫之路可能還會更加艱鉅。我們無法預測疫情到底會持續多久，只知道，在過去的一個月裡，
疫情讓英國人的生活發生了翻天覆地的變化。
簽證“ 逾期 ”申請新路徑
在這場疫情中，還有一群這樣的人，他們不是英國公民沒有永居，但卻被迫滯留在英國回不了家。
他們可能是在英國的海外僱員，可能是留學生，可能是探親訪友，也可能只是遊客，因為航班停飛，邊境限制或者其他原因暫時回不了國，可是眼看著簽證就要到期了，不知如何是好。
簽證自動延期
英國移民局同樣關注到了這一群體併發布消息：受疫情影響（不可抗力如航班取消，邊境關閉）滯留在英國境內且簽證在 2020 年 1 月 24 日至 2020 年 5 月 31 日到期的海外國民，簽證有效期將延至 2020 年 5 月 31 日。
同時，申請人需要聯繫 CIT （冠狀病毒移民）團隊，進行報備並確認自己是否符合“ 自動延期 ”人群。
值得一提的是，若是 NHS 前線醫護人員（連同家屬），簽證將在 2020 年 10 月 1 日之前到期的，將自動簽證延期一年，且無需申請和支付費用。
簽證延期報備新路徑
而就在 4 月 6 日，英國移民局更新了最新“ 簽證延期至 5 月 31 日的在線申請表格 ”。
申請鏈接：
https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/webform.asp?id=199&id2=5C97E7
申請指引原文
COVID-19 UK Visas & Immigration form - visa extension to 31 May 2020
Background
No individual of any nationality whose leave has expired or is due to expire between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020, and who cannot leave the UK because of COVID-19, will be regarded as an overstayer or suffer any detriment in the future.
If you already have leave in the UK and planned to extend your leave when it expires, you do not need to complete this form. Please continue to apply using the appropriate online application form.
Instructions
If you were not intending to apply to extend your leave and cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19, please use the form below to provide us with your details. If you’re eligible for an extension of leave to 31 May 2020, we’ll update your immigration records to reflect your circumstances.
Please complete the form, in English only, with as much information as possible. If you’re unable to provide any of the information or it’s not applicable to you (for instance if you entered the UK without needing a visa), please enter ‘Not known’ or ‘Not applicable’ in the relevant box.
You may wish to take a screenshot of the completed form before submitting it, for your own records.
If your email address is entered correctly, soon after submitting the form you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your email address. Once that’s done you don’t need to contact the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline or mailbox and we’ll respond to you within 5 working days.
How we use your data
The Home Office will use the personal information you provide to consider your request. We may also share your information with other public and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. For more detail please see the Privacy Notice for the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship system. This also sets out your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018 and explains how you can access your personal information and complain if you have concerns about how we are using it.
簡單來說可以分為以下兩種情況
- 你若是原計劃就打算申請現有簽證的續簽，你無需填寫該表格，遵循正常的線上續簽手續即可
- 你若原計劃是在簽證有效期內離開英國，但是由於不可抗力被迫滯留無法離境，你就需要填寫這份表格向移民局報備
移民局在收到報備後，正常情況下 5 個工作日內申請人會收到通知，符合條件的人簽證有效期也將自動延長至 2020 年 5 月 31 日，且不會影響到未來的簽證申請。
