UKVCAS Service Status Update

22 Jun 2020, 01 mins ago

Sopra Steria has released updated information regarding the status of the UKVCAS appointment booking system.

It has been announced that new service points will re-open from 22 June 2020, including those in Belfast, Cardiff Bay, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

The booking system was initially reopened on 1 June 2020 to allow applicants who had previously booked appointments, which had been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 social distancing policies, to re-book and register to enroll their biometrics. 

An update on the Sopra Steria website was issued on 12 June 2020 confirming that all applicants who had been given access to the booking system would be able to book an appointment until 26 July 2020. It was also stated that these applicants would only continue to have access to the booking system until 20 June 2020. 

The update further confirmed that “UKVCAS and UKVI [were] planning the next phase of releases to accommodate customers who previously did not have a booked appointment. From 22 June 2020, UKVCAS will revert to offering a mix of free and chargeable appointments”.

The latest update issued by Sopra Steria confirms that the booking system will only be available from 22 June 2020 to those applicants who had registered with UKVCAS before 27 March 2020 and who did not have an appointment at that time. Applicants will receive an email confirming their access to the booking system.

All applicants who have submitted their applications on or after 27 March 2020 are not able to book biometric appointments at this time.

Gherson continues to monitor the availability of UKVCAS biometric appointments and other relevant updates.

Please note that the information in this blog is current at the date and time of posting. The situation regarding Home Office policy and guidance based on the COVID-19 pandemic is subject to change at short notice. We shall be monitoring all aspects of UK immigration which may be impacted by the coronavirus closely, so please do keep updated with further blogs and articles which we will be posting on this site.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2020

 

Navka Raja 

  Navka Raja

  Immigration Consultant and Trainee Solicitor in our Private Client department