Covid-19, red list countries, and UK visa applications

This article has been updated and is accurate as of 5 August 2021 

The British government has put rules in place banning travel from certain ‘red list countries.’ View the Goverment red list countries

These COVID-19 measures mandate that individuals who have been in / travelled through these countries will be refused entry to the UK if in the 10 days prior to entering the UK, they have been in or travelled through one of these countries.  

British nationals, Irish nationals, and foreign nationals (travelling from a red list country) who hold a valid visa in the UK are permitted to enter the UK, however they must quarantine in government approved accommodation for 10 days in addition to complying with other COVID-19 testing requirements.  

Despite these travel bans, UK visa applications in the work, study, and residence categories from all countries continue to be processed by the Home Office. The UK government has advised that delays are to be expected if submitting a visa application from a red list country.  

UK visa application centres in the majority of countries have resumed services where local COVID-19 regulations allow, however the Priority and Super Priority services to expedite the processing of visa applications are only available in some locations. Please continue to monitor our article on the status of UK visa application centres for further updates.  

Visit visa applications may be submitted from any UK visa application centre, however visa applications in all other categories must be made in an applicant’s country of residence.  

The impact of COVID-19 on UK immigration is ongoing and the rules and regulations are ever-changing. Please get in touch with Rebecca Hone of our Immigration team with any query you may have.