I want to cancel my UK Work Visa (in light of COVID-19)
Last updated 10th June 2020
If you have an approved UK work visa, have not yet entered the UK due to COVID-19, and are looking to cancel your visa and request a refund from the UKVI, you will want to read the information below!
Usually if you cancel your approved visa your visa fee will NOT be refunded! And once the cancellation process has started you can not stop it!
The UKVI's standard guidance has been amended again to advise that the Coronavirus Immigration Helpdesk (CIH) will let you know if your visa fees will be refunded or not. The guidance on IHS refunds still clearly states that you will not receive a refund on an IHS fee if your application is successful and you have not entered into the UK.
There is not much detail or confirmation on the UKVI guidance regarding if a full refund is possible due to COVID-19 and the CIH will determine if you receive a refund or not.
CANCEL AND REQUEST REFUND
Send an email to the Coronavirus Immigration Help centre (CIH). They will let you know if your fee will be refunded or not.
Your email must be in English and include:
- your full name
- your nationality
- your date of birth
- any UKVI reference numbers you have been given
Use ‘POST BIOMETRIC REFUND REQUEST’ as the subject line.
Coronavirus immigration help centre
CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk
The help centre will reply as soon as possible. Only contact them again if you need to tell them about a change of circumstances.
Please note: due to data protection regulations in the UK, the UKVI can only speak with the visa applicant/holder about their specific query.
If you have an approved visa with a 30 day or 90 day entry vignette in your passport and this has expired or is about to expire, please see this blog post:
I have a 90-day entry clearance, but still can't arrive in the UK due – Restless World
For additional information and FAQs on COVID-19 and it's impact on your UK travel plans, visit: