Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to allow Home Office officials discretion in immigration cases to re-define memorial services as memorial services in lieu of a funeral in cases where it can be shown that a death took place at a time when covid-19 restrictions prevented one of the (a) holding of and (b) travel to a funeral for a deceased immediate family member abroad and for such cases to be considered as having the status of a funeral for the purpose of the decision on whether a case should be fairly expedited; and if she will make a statement.

Those who qualify to visit the UK may undertake a range of activities, which include attending a funeral or a memorial service.

We continue to prioritise any urgent compelling or compassionate cases across all workstreams.

Where there are extremely compassionate or compelling circumstances (for example, a medical emergency or travelling to a funeral for a deceased immediate family member including memorial services), we may consider expediting specific cases. However, the bar for this is high and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

UKVI encourages all customers to apply in good time ahead of intended travel dates, and customers can also make use of UKVI’s optional priority visa services for visit visas in certain locations.