Petition · past parliament · Home Office
Give temporary right to work for people subject to visa delays during COVID-19
Closed
107 signatures
What the petition asks
Grant the right to work for people who are subject to home office visa delays during the COVID-19 crisis. Allow people to seek employment on a temporary basis until the delays in the home office (which are over 10 months now) have stopped. Acknowledge the people in limbo who cannot leave or work.
People could not leave the country to apply for visas due to COVID-19.
However, they also can't leave the UK once the visa application has been made, as it makes it invalid.
The home office visa process normally takes 8 weeks, it has been delayed over 10 months for some.
People are supporting families with new babies which were born in lockdown 1.
Others are NHS workers extending a visa, but being turned away from work.
Not working for this long has an impact on people's mental health.
However, they also can't leave the UK once the visa application has been made, as it makes it invalid.
The home office visa process normally takes 8 weeks, it has been delayed over 10 months for some.
People are supporting families with new babies which were born in lockdown 1.
Others are NHS workers extending a visa, but being turned away from work.
Not working for this long has an impact on people's mental health.
Timeline
| 8 Feb 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 8 Aug 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
107
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
8 Feb 2021
Closed
8 Aug 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.