No charges will be made in the testing, diagnosis, or treatment of COVID-19 (even if the test is negative). This applies to everyone in the UK, even those living in the country without permission.
No charges will be made in the testing, diagnosis, or treatment of COVID-19 (even if the test is negative). This applies to everyone in the UK, even those living in the country without permission.
During these unprecedented times, the COVID-19 pandemic can be even more frightening for those living in a country they are not nationals of – questions of whether their immigration status will be questioned, or whether they have access to healthcare are undoubtedly on the minds of many.
To help quell these fears and ensure everyone within the UK’s borders has access to healthcare during the Coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government with the Mayor of London have issued a guidance page to help all non-UK nationals within the United Kingdom during the pandemic. Please ensure you are also following and have access to the NHS website for advice and guidance on the symptoms and safety measures around COVID-19 as well.
The UK Government’s page for non-UK nationals within the country lays out specifically what you need to know about access to healthcare:
- No charges will be made in the testing, diagnosis, or treatment of COVID-19 (even if the test is negative). This applies to everyone in the UK, even those living in the country without permission.
- No immigration checks are required for the testing or treatment for COVID-19.
To read the Government’s specific advice and guidance on the health needs of migrant patients, click here. The NHS’s COVID-19 emergency 111 helpline also has access to translators when needed.
In terms of visas and immigration, the Government has acknowledged that changes have been made for those affected by the Coronavirus. You can read their full guidance page here, where you can find information on Right to Work checks, landlord right to rent checks, immigration removal centers, and advice for UK visa applicants as well as advice for sponsors of Tier 2, 4, and 5 visas.
According to the Government guidance page, if you are in the UK and your leave expires between the 24th of January and the 31st of May 2020, your visa may be extended if you cannot leave because of travel restrictions or self-isolation. If your visa is expiring, you must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) to update your records.
You can also contact the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline for any questions related to COVID-19 and immigration by calling 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, from 9AM to 5PM). All calls are free of charge. You can also email them at CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk
The Refugee Council is also compiling updates to the Government’s Asylum & Resettlement policy in regards to COVID-19, and for those affected by this, visit their website here for more information.
For those who were or are applying for the EU Settlement Scheme, changes have also been made due to COVID-19. To find out more information, find the Government’s guidance page here.
Finally, the UK Government has also released translations of the guidance around self-isolation in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, and Welsh. You can find these translations here, here, and here. The organization Doctors of the World is currently also translating official government guidance on COVID-19 in over 30 languages, found here.
To read the full UK Government’s guidance for non-UK nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here. Information on work and those affected by the lay-offs from COVID-19 can be found on the page, as well as a list of local aid organizations helping those most in need.
