Coronavirus & Visas -- Informed speculation?

Hi folks,

Coronavirus (Corvid-19) is obviously causing widespread havoc, and I’m "wondering" (freaking out about) how it will affect visa processing.

My partner and I are currently applying for a spouse visa for her (I’m a UK citizen). She is pregnant, and we plan to have the child in the UK this Autumn. But, there’s now obviously some chance that the virus will cause visa processing to be delayed, or travel bans may still be in effect, etc etc. At some point, those delays could mean that it is impossible for her to fly, either because of a travel ban, or because she’s in her 3rd trimester, and such flights are frowned on by airlines.

Obviously there are no answers when it comes to the corona virus, but I would be very intrigued to hear informed speculation about how the UK government might respond in terms of visas.

For instance,
1. Do you think visa processing will be heavily delayed? What sort of time frame would you anticipate?
2. If the visa is eventually processed, but at a date when my wife cannot fly, do we have any recourse? Obviously entry dates for visas are quite specific…

Any thoughts much appreciated!

I know this doesn't answer your question (as no one will know at this point, things are changing by the hour)....

However, I would contact your local Midwifery Unit and see what their current strategy is.  I have a friend who is pregnant and due next month.  She asked and found out that they have the COVID19 patients on the maternity ward due to there being private rooms and bathrooms.  This is obviously part of the open maternity ward.

While I have no issue with my 2 NHS births as both of my children are here and safe, it's *very* different than the USA.  I was unable to get an epidural for either of my labours, with my second I literally only had paracetemol - that does nothing for childbirth - trust me.  With my first I was on a ward of 7 women with our 7 babies for a little under a week.  It's really really really different than the care she will be acustomed to in the USA.  I personally would encourage her to deliver in the USA instead of being thrown into the shock of the UK system.  Especially right now, as in the USA most birth centres are seperate to the main hospital.  Just thinking of her health and baby.

Of course if she's planning a home birth, that's an entirely different scenario as no options for pain relief and no risk of exposure.

So if it was me, I'd recommend you travel to the USA for the birth and then have her come to the UK after she's delivered.  Plus things are likely to be much more certain come the autumn.

Otherwise, you'll just need to address in your cover letter your circumstance.  That if the visa is issued prior to XXX date, please issue for travel dates YYYY.  If it's issued after ZZZZ date please issue for travel dates AAAA.

Thanks for this -- we'll think about it. I saw a few articles earlier in the month about how UK midwives were deliberately slow-walking requested epidurals, which is pretty sickening. I'm sorry for your bad experience.

It isn't an easy decision at all, and there's lots of interacting factors. My guess is that the outbreak here will be very bad, perhaps even worse than the UK, so I don't know what the safer option is right now. Plus, the NHS fee is going to be far less than the cost of giving birth here (even though our insurance is good!).

Thanks for this -- we'll think about it. I saw a few articles earlier in the month about how UK midwives were deliberately slow-walking requested epidurals, which is pretty sickening. I'm sorry for your bad experience.

It isn't an easy decision at all, and there's lots of interacting factors. My guess is that the outbreak here will be very bad, perhaps even worse than the UK, so I don't know what the safer option is right now. Plus, the NHS fee is going to be far less than the cost of giving birth here (even though our insurance is good!).

To balance what KFdancer said: I requested an epidural and it was installed within minutes. But, it only worked on one side. It was rather surreal/ awful. I was out the next day, despite having had a pretty messy birth (augmented labour after 3 days, assisted delivery, episiotomy. Fairly extreme blood loss. The works), I was out the next day. I was on a ward with only 2 others - another awful story altogether.

I wouldn't have switched systems 'midstream' so to speak. I knew exactly what to expect with the nhs, as it was the system I'd been working with for the last 15 years. Giving birth is not comfortable. So go with the system (as a labouring woman) that you know the best.