Closed petition Relax rules on gaps in continuous residence during Covid-19

Closed on 15 April 2021

The Government should make COVID-19 a valid exception for exceeding the normal allowable 180 day gap for continuous residence for (pre-settled status and visa holders), and allow for a 12-month exception to apply automatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this pandemic hundreds of thousands of people, in the course of maintaining continuous residence have a hard decision to make. Return to their home country to care for their parents and family or stay in the UK to maintain the continuous residence status. The uncertainty of a next lockdown or the fear of being stranded overseas and then having to prove what happened creates yet another source of anxiety affecting mental health of many. Allowing an exception is the only humane option.