As the global COVID-19 lockdown starts to ease across the world, UK visa application centres are starting to reopen. From the start of June, a number of centres in Asia and Australasia reopened, with many more in Europe, Africa and Central Asia due to come on-stream from the week of 29 June.
As can be expected, the UK Government has no control over when the UK visa application centres operated by outsourced providers VFS Global and TLSContact, will re-open. That is entirely down to the local measures in place in each city, region and country.
Notable absences from any concrete information on scheduled visa re-opening are the two highest source countries for Tier 2 skilled work visas, India and the US. Indian nationals account for about 50% of the Tier 2 visas issued, with US nationals the next largest group at around 8.5%.
Increases in new daily cases continue in India, currently ranked third globally in terms of new cases, with no sign of the upward curve for these flattening. Notwithstanding this, VFS announced today that a number of UK visa centres would reopen. In the US, while there were some more positive signs of progress against the virus by early June, the number of new cases has started to pick back up, with over 40,000 new cases reported on June 24 and 25, the highest on record. California, Texas, Florida and Arizona are all seeing significant spikes in new cases.
The UK visa operations in the US use the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Applications Support Centers (ASCs) to enable visa applicants to provide their biometrics. The ASCs have been closed since March. On a call with stakeholders last Thursday, USCIS indicated that a phased re-opening of the ASC’s would start from 13 July. However, following a statement made yesterday evening by USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow, USCIS may have to lay off the vast majority of its staff at ASCs due to the huge fall in revenues for the service, which is funded through applications. Mr Edlow said:
Without congressional action before August 3, USCIS will need to furlough over 13,000 staff members, which will have tremendous negative impacts on our mission administering our nation's lawful immigration system”.
The key to any sort of US re-opening is New York City, the location of the UK Visas and Immigration Visas Scanning Hub. This is where all passports are sent once biometrics are completed and where the initial entry visas are securely stuck into applicants’ passports. Bill de Blasio, the Mayor of the City, announced that it was ready to go into phase 3 of lockdown easing from 6 July, conditional on there being no new spike in cases, which bodes well for the visa scanning hub to re-open its doors.
There could be many bumps on the road to a UK visa re-opening in the US. There are no easy work-arounds when physical attendance in bricks-and-mortar centres is a central part of the application process. I have suggested developing a mobile solution similar to the EU Exit app (currently used for EU nationals) to provide mobile biometrics, but while that is no doubt being considered, it will take time.
In the meantime, the UK needs to consider some radical alternatives to getting people to give biometrics abroad. It could for example, allow those sponsored under Tier 2 who are non-visa nationals to have their applications approved, travel to the UK and provide biometrics when they are in the UK. This could be extended to family applications, again through approving them and getting biometrics done here. That may not solve the problem for Indian nationals who require visas for travel, but it would be a start.
Further informati0n
For further information on an issues raised in this blog, please contact a member of our Immigration team.
About the author
Nick Rollason heads our Immigration team and advises on all areas of UK immigration and nationality law. He has particular expertise in providing strategic advice to businesses on their global immigration needs. He is regularly consulted by the UK immigration authorities on proposed changes to the UK immigration rules and policy.
Latest blogs & news
Permission to Visit - Goldilocks and the Three Bank Statements
From UKVI’s published statistics on immigration applications, in the most recent reported quarter (March to June 2025) UKVI received 938,527 visit visa applications – the highest ever reported in at least the last 20 years. In that quarter, UKVI also refused 156,659 visit visa applications (and issued 790,708 visas), unsurprisingly, also the highest number reported. The refusal rate for this quarter (which will not cover all applications received) was just shy of 20%.
Suspension of the UK’s Refugee Family Reunion scheme: an afront to the principle of family unity
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (“SSHD”) Yvette Cooper has trained her crosshairs squarely on foreign national families in her recent announcement, declaring the suspension and reform of the refugee family reunion scheme and a review of “the application of Article 8 in the immigration and asylum system.” The suspension came with a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules today at 3pm.
What to do if you receive a civil penalty for illegal working
UKVI can issue a whopping fine of up to £60,000 to a company that is alleged to have employed someone illegally in the UK. The size of the fine is partly determined by whether the breach is a first for the business or not.
Why more Americans are seeking British citizenship in 2025
As political and economic uncertainties continue to shape the global landscape, a growing number of Americans are setting their sights on the United Kingdom, not just for travel or business, but for a new life altogether.
The UK Government’s plan for AI and the UK immigration White Paper
At the start of the year, the Prime Minister outlined the UK Government's vision for making the UK a global leader in AI innovation in its response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. But does the UK really have a competitive offering for AI talent?
EU nationals – top tips for applying for your Student visa this summer
For EU nationals looking to start university in the UK this year, we’ve set out some key issues to consider before applying for your Student visa.
Tech Nation Wins Tender to Continue as Endorsing Body for Global Talent Visa
Tech Nation has confirmed on its website that it has successfully been awarded the status of endorsing body for the UK’s Global Talent visa in digital technology for the next three years. This provides much-welcomed certainty for the Global Talent route which, in my view, is the jewel in the UK’s visa crown.
A back-up for those with US immigration difficulties – common issues when transferring staff to the UK
In a flurry of executive orders, the uncertainty created by the US administration’s approach to immigration has left many US businesses seeking options to retain high-valued migrant staff, especially after failed lotteries and quota issues. Invariably the UK figures prominently in the thinking of many businesses as a potential destination for staff who are at a dead-end from a US immigration perspective – either as a permanent or temporary relocation.
Linking skills with visas: why the UK must not repeat Australia’s mistakes
In our last blog on this topic, we looked at the Government’s announcement that it would publish a White Paper which will set out its plans to link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country.” The White Paper is now imminent.
New extension scheme but there’s still no route to settlement for Ukrainian nationals in the UK
In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces in February 2022, the UK government introduced various immigration routes for Ukrainian nationals seeking safety in the UK. However, recent updates to the Immigration Rules regarding the Long Residence route have made clear that time spent in the UK under the Ukraine Schemes no longer counts toward the 10-year qualifying period required for settlement.
Going nuclear - new immigration ideas needed for new energy
As the UK embarks on the construction of new energy infrastructure, most notably new nuclear power stations, industry insiders will be well aware of the stark challenges that face these projects.
Brexit: Five years on – A nation adrift
On Friday 31st January 2020 the UK officially left Europe via the Withdrawal Agreement. Five years on and it is difficult to look at the challenges the UK faces and not question whether it has been very problematic for the UK’s economy. Please indulge me to reflect on the last five years.
Timetable for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
The announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally shed light on when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
UK Immigration: a year in review and 2025 forecast unveiled
We are familiar with change in immigration but even for us, 2024 has been a monumental year.
Linking skills with visas? Just make sure the Immigration Skills Charge does what it says on the tin
In his speech last week, Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, announced plans to publish a White Paper which will link the ability to sponsor migrant workers to training “people here in our country”.
It used to be so straightforward – sponsor licence application refusals dramatically increase
When someone sets out a process and gives your instructions, you kind of expect when you follow the instructions to achieve the desired outcome, like assembling some flatpack furniture.
Unlocking potential: fresh ideas to attract fresh talent on the Global Talent visa
Nearly 10 months have passed since the Home Office put the contract to take over from Tech Nation as the Global Talent digital technology endorsing body out for tender, and we have been waiting for a meaningful update. We suspect that the old adage no news is good news probably doesn’t apply here.
International adoption: Growing families across borders – how to navigate bringing your child home to the UK
21 October to 27 October 2024 marks National Adoption Week in the UK, the aim of which is to recognise and highlight the importance of adoption and, also, to encourage more people to consider adoption as a way to build their family.
International surrogacy – key immigration considerations
Growing your family through international surrogacy comprises many legal and logistical aspects. Managing these, at what can be a very busy and emotional time, can be extremely challenging.
Timetable confirmed for full rollout of UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Scheme
Today’s announcement on the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme finally sheds light when it will be expanded to the remaining 83 other countries.
You may also be interested in:
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
Share insightLinkedIn X Facebook Email to a friend Print