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News release
22.05.2020
For immediate use
Assembly Member pushes for clarity on visa requirements amidst English Language test centre closures
Local London Assembly Member, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, has called upon the Home Secretary to provide greater clarity over changes to the visa extension application process in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak. Dr Sahota has highlighted the predicament of many Londoners currently unable to obtain the English language qualifications needed to support their applications due to the closure of test centres across the capital.
In his letter to Home Secretary, Dr Sahota notes that recent correspondence between the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) and the Home Office has confirmed that applicants are no longer required to send in evidence of their English language qualifications in light of the test centre closures.
Dr Sahota is now calling on the Home Secretary to publish this policy amendment as official guidance. He said that the absence of a “clear, formal position on this matter” could lead to many more migrants being “left even more uncertain about their options”.
Local London Assembly Member, Onkar Sahota AM, said:
“The confusion surrounding this issue is understandably causing great anxiety and concern for many of my constituents. People should not have to fear deportation during a pandemic.
“It is only right that visa extension applications should be able to be sent in and processed without the English language requirement, until such a time as the test centres can safely reopen.
“The indications from the Home Office that this will be the case have so far been positive, but they must provide greater clarity and reassurance by urgently issuing official guidance on this matter.”
ENDS