Someone wants to apply for a British passport or UK Visa to work and live in the UK but is discouraged by the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world. Does this sound familiar to you? We most likely just described either you or someone you know. Indeed, the pandemic has changed so many things about immigration and naturalization processes in the UK, which can get scary at times. However, despite some changes in the immigration processes, we’re here to assure you that business occurs almost as usual in the UK, and applicants from Dubai can still definitely make it. With our UK immigration consultants in Dubai , we want to break down for you the changes the pandemic has made on UK immigration processes – and why you shouldn’t worry too much.
- Longer wait times for documentation processing. Whereas before, applications for UK visa or British passport would take only a few weeks to get approved, embassies are now potentially working on a skeletal system because of rotational work set-ups designed to prevent the spread of the virus. For a UK visa to get approved for example, one might not only wait for 3 weeks anymore but might need to wait for 3 months (12 weeks) for updates on the decision on your application. Still, the longer wait doesn’t mean your application is any less strong. Processing just got slower in the age of pandemic. So, rest easy – as long as you’ve consulted us with your applications in every step of the way, you’re guaranteed approval.
- Scarcity of flights. With the pandemic, even when the world has opened for travel again, fewer and fewer people are inclined to travel unless it’s for very urgent purposes. This has impacted the air travel business in ways we could never have expected. Thus, there are less and fewer flights scheduled to countries like the UK – and even less flights going out of the UK. Depending on your situation, you would want to check available flights across several agencies well in advance in order to choose the best possible travel arrangement for you. But don’t feel too overwhelmed; as always, we’re here to assist you in every step of the way – even with your flights.
- The ever-changing state of the pandemic around the world. Of course, with the emergence of so many Covid-19 variants and the almost cyclical resurgence and decline in the number of cases not just in the UK but all around the world, border restrictions are always subject to the most changes. Luckily, compared to most countries in the world, the UK has kept fairly open borders and life in the country proceeds as normal in recent months. You can be a little more assured that the borders won’t just suddenly close on you with the UK. Prospects are more optimistic there than in other parts of the world.
Covid-19 has left an indelible mark on the world, immigration processes included. But with immigration to the UK, thankfully, restrictions and procedures are getting looser, and we’re more optimistic than ever that soon, businesses will truly function as normal.