Coronavirus Updates: IAS Assists all NHS Staff with Free Immigration Advice

We are living through an unprecedented time in peacetime Britain today. The coronavirus pandemic that continues to grip the world, threaten our loved ones and neighbours and cut the lives of thousands far too short has only pressed the need for an international joint effort. Here in the UK, it is clear that in order to tackle this deadly virus, we need as many researchers and NHS staff as we can get. It is vital that we stretch our hands out in support of one another, whenever and wherever possible.

That is why, to say thank you to our invaluable and dedicated NHS staff on the frontline (and behind the scenes too), we at the Immigration Advice Service are proud to announce that we are here to help. From this day forwards, IAS will be offering legal immigration advice and guidance to all NHS workers for completely free of charge until further notice.  

It is important to stress that, irrespective of the coronavirus hardship, the immigration rules continue to apply to all foreign nationals in the UK. This means that those who have an impending visa deadline, such as an extension or a renewal, will need to obey the rules and compile their application on time to the Home Office. The UK Government still scrutinises visa overstayers, and those who fall into this legal grey area may find it difficult to get back into the clear.  

From this day forwards, IAS will be offering legal immigration advice and guidance to all NHS workers for completely free of 

charge until further notice.
 

Our NHS staff work tirelessly around the clock and run directly into the arms of danger to keep us all safe on a daily basis. The last thing that should be troubling them is their immigration status, especially when in the trenches of the Covid-19 battle. 

If you work for the NHS, please rest assured that IAS has your immigration queries at heart. The Immigration Advice Service will ease the burden of your immigration concerns by offering a full, comprehensive and free Advice Session by one of our expert immigration lawyers. This includes:

• Visa extension or renewal advice on Skilled Worker Visas
• Indefinite Leave to Remain applications
• British citizenship applications – including by naturalisation 

To better support our public health sector workers who urgently need advice, IAS has further expanded our capacity and opening hours. To suit the flexible and unpredictable nature of those combatting coronavirus in our hospitals and practices, IAS now offers video/Skype advice sessions and telephone appointments while our offices remain open for longer. We now operate from 7:30 am to 22 pm every day of the week.  

Our NHS staff work tirelessly around the clock and run directly into the arms of danger to keep us all safe on a daily basis. The last thing that should be troubling them is their immigration status

We hope this will mitigate any concerns our clients may have about being out in public, meeting their immigration lawyer face-to-face and for those NHS staff whose shifts clash with regular working hours. All of our immigration lawyers are OISC accredited, so you can rest assured that the quality of advice that you will receive will always be of a high standard and will in no way be compromised by this move to online and telephone support.

If you need guidance and support quickly, please contact our client care team on 0333 305 9375. We have offices located across the UK, including in London, Manchester, or Birmingham. You can also use the office finder to find the closest branch to you.

The Immigration Advice Service will also be frequently updating our blog with coronavirus updates related to travel and immigration matters for the foreseeable future.  

Image: Gloucestershire Live