Home Office Immigration Reforms Criticised as “Not Fully Thought Through”
The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised significant concerns about the Government’s latest immigration rule changes, warning that key elements of the policy package lack clarity, supporting evidence and operational planning. In its latest report examining Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691, the Committee has drawn the measures to the […]
UK Home Office Fees Increasing from 8 April 2026
The Home Office has confirmed a wide range of fee increases across UK visa, settlement and nationality applications, which will take effect from 8 April 2026. The changes will affect most major immigration routes, including work, study, visit and settlement applications, with costs rising across both overseas and in-country applications. For many applicants, the increases […]
UK ETA Concessions for Dual Nationals & EUSS Travellers
The UK government has clarified that limited concessions may apply for some dual nationals and EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status holders under the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. This clarification follows the start of ETA enforcement on 25 February 2026. While this offers some flexibility, the concession is narrow in scope. Travellers still need to […]
Check Your Passport Before Travel, HM Passport Office Warns
British travellers preparing for Easter holidays are being reminded to check their passports carefully after a warning from His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO). The passport authority says travellers should review the details on their passport before booking or confirming international trips. If a passport does not meet the entry requirements of the destination country, airlines […]
UK ILR Reforms Set to Apply Retrospectively
The Home Secretary has confirmed that the government intends future reforms to the UK settlement system to apply retrospectively to some people already living in the country. In a speech on immigration delivered at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Shabana Mahmood restated the government’s intention to introduce what ministers describe as an “earned […]
UK Immigration Rule Changes March 2026
On 5 March 2026 the UK government introduced a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1691). The changes affect several immigration routes and will take effect in stages between March 2026 and March 2027. Many of the reforms relate to asylum procedures and humanitarian protection. However, the Statement also introduces changes that […]
UK ILR: Higher B2 English Requirement in 2027
The Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691 introduces a future increase to the English language requirement for many settlement applications, raising the level from B1 to B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The change was introduced through the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691 and is […]
UK Brings in ‘Visa Brake’ for Four Nationalities
The UK government has introduced a new policy known as a visa brake, which refuses certain UK visa applications for specific nationalities on specified routes. The Home Office says the visa brake is aimed at reducing asylum claims made by people who first enter the UK through legal visa routes and later claim asylum. The […]
New Rules for Skilled Worker Visa Pay Periods
The UK government has introduced new rules that change how salary compliance may be assessed for the Skilled Worker visa route. The change takes effect on 8 April 2026. Previously, Skilled Worker visa salary compliance was assessed primarily by reference to the annual salary recorded on the Certificate of Sponsorship and the worker’s employment contract. […]
UK Replaces Five-Year Refugee Leave with 30-Month Temporary Protection
The Home Office has confirmed a major change to the UK’s asylum framework, announcing that from 2 March 2026 newly recognised refugees will no longer receive the standard five-year grant of leave. Instead, successful applicants will be given 30 months of temporary protection subject to review. The change, introduced through amendments to the Immigration Rules, […]