IHS fee for NHS and care workers

[Monserrat]

Hello

I was wondering if anyone is in the same boat or advise how best to proceed. I am due to apply for a switch from FLR FP 10year partner route to 5 year route. My visa expires next month and In light of the government announcements about carers and NHS workers being exempt from paying for IHS fee I am wondering if I pay and then ask for a refund afterwards or not pay at all, since I fall under that arrangement? Under their current guidelines on the requirements nothing has changed yet so I am not sure how to proceed.

Also another announcement was to grant NHS workers and carers a free 1 year extension on their visas. As an NHS workers i have requested by sending a letter from employer and biometric as outlined by the gov.uk website. I don't know how long they will take to reply and my visa expires next month. I am stuck between waiting till I get a response on whether I have another year added to my visa or just go ahead and renew my visa and request a withdrawal on the 1 year extension. I am not sure how best to proceed. Is there anyone in the same boat or who can advise please. Thank you.

[seagul]

See a similar thread

general-uk-immigration-forum/last-quest ... l#p1905492

[Monserrat]

See a similar thread

general-uk-immigration-forum/last-quest ... l#p1905492

Many thanks for the reply. I have had a look at the thread. I learnt that it is not possible to have two applications with the Home Office at the same time. We have decided to go ahead with applying before the expiry date of my current visa and switch to FLR M 5 year route. In view of this do I include a withdrawal letter for the 1 year extension request I made last month or is there a formal process(form) for this. Or do I simply proceed with my application when my visa expires at which the H.O will consider the most recently sent application.

( If it turns out I should not have paid for the IHS then I will request a refund)

Many thanks

[seagul]

See a similar thread

general-uk-immigration-forum/last-quest ... l#p1905492

Many thanks for the reply. I have had a look at the thread. I learnt that it is not possible to have two applications with the Home Office at the same time. We have decided to go ahead with applying before the expiry date of my current visa and switch to FLR M 5 year route. In view of this do I include a withdrawal letter for the 1 year extension request I made last month or is there a formal process(form) for this. Or do I simply proceed with my application when my visa expires at which the H.O will consider the most recently sent application.

( If it turns out I should not have paid for the IHS then I will request a refund)

Many thanks

Instead withdrawing, varying is a more robust way to avoid becoming an overstayer, however, in your case you still have the valid visa which means you may be able to withdraw your existing application perhaps through following way which mainly is for withdrawing other extension applications prior proceeding to new 1 year of free leave to NHS workers.

If you’ve already applied for an extension
Email the UKVI NHS team to withdraw your existing visa extension application and apply for a refund.

You cannot do this if you have already provided your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) as part of that application.

UK Visas and Immigration NHS team
UKVINHSTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-health-w ... -extension

[Monserrat]

Yes I still have valid stay until mid July, does this mean I send my application with a withdrawal letter for the one year extension I had requested. If I had already applied then I would do the varying? Forgive me, I do not understand what varying means?

Also how soon within a 2.5 year period on a 10year route can I switch to a 5 year route visa. Do I have to wait for the 2.5 years to run out?

Thank you for your replies.


Many thanks

[seagul]

Yes I still have valid stay until mid July, does this mean I send my application with a withdrawal letter for the one year extension I had requested. If I had already applied then I would do the varying? Forgive me, I do not understand what varying means?

As your visa is still valid so better to withdraw your application first by using the previously supplied guidance and then apply accordingly but strictly before expire. You can learn about how to vary an application from below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... procedures

Also how soon within a 2.5 year period on a 10year route can I switch to a 5 year route visa. Do I have to wait for the 2.5 years to run out?

Thank you for your replies.


Many thanks

It can be applied anytime before expiry provided the mandatory requirements can be met.