Visa expiring before baby is born. Can I still get SMP?

I have a UK ancestry visa expiring in July. My due date is in September. According to the government calculator, if I am still working with my current employer as of the 26th week of my pregnancy, I can claim SMP from early July.
I have a couple of questions: Do I need to renew my UK visa to still get SMP? What happens to my SMP if I move back to my home country during the 39 weeks of payment?

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You will qualify to claim Statutory Maternity Pay (“SMP”) provided you have been employed by your employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks up to and including the 15th week before the week in which the baby is due, AND during the eight-week period ending with the 15th week before the week the baby is due, you have average earnings of at least the lower earnings limit for National Insurance.

You require advice in relation to whether you need to renew your visa in order to receive SMP, and what would happen if you move back to your home country during your 39 weeks of payment.

As long as you are eligible to reside in the UK you will qualify for SMP (if you meet certain conditions) or Maternity Allowance (if you are unemployed or do not meet the criteria for SMP). However, if you were to move countries this entitlement would cease at the point you left the country. This is also a question that has elements of emigration law involved so I would suggest that you also contact the British Embassy as they can probably provide further advice to you.

Comments [2]

Mahshid Mahmoudi says:

21st November 2020

Hi
I am in my maternity leave and my due date us in January 2021. My visa has expired but I gave an ongoing application with Home Office to extend it. My boss asjed for proof of right to work so I have applied for a Shared Code to let him see my application status online but the srvice in not working. I don’t trust my Boss to give him my case ref to let him check it with home office himself. What will happen if he can not track it online with that Shared Code?

Kind regards

Reply
- Mandy Garner says:
  
  22nd November 2020
  
  Hi, We are not experts in the area of immigration policy. You could try the Maternity Action helpline. Details here – https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice-line/
  
  Reply