Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot Opens February 2026
The Youth Mobility Scheme is a temporary UK work visa route for young adults from a limited number of countries, including Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan. For these nationalities, access to the route is controlled through a competitive ballot held once or twice each year rather than a direct application. The next ballot opens in […]
UK ETA 2026 Changes
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been introduced gradually, but 2026 is the point at which it becomes operationally strict rather than transitional. The ETA framework already exists and many travellers are technically within scope. What changes is how firmly the rules are applied, how early decisions are made and how little tolerance […]
UK Consults on Earned Settlement Rules for ILR
The Home Office has launched a major consultation on reforms that would fundamentally change how migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. The reforms, set out in the Command Paper, A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, propose an earned settlement system that replaces the standard five-year ILR route for most migrants with a […]
UK Publishes Asylum Reforms
The UK government’s new asylum and returns policy sets out a substantial reset of the current system. Long term, relatively stable refugee protection is being replaced with a status that is time limited, review based and heavily conditional. Access to support is to be restricted, human rights arguments will carry less weight in many cases […]
Higher English Level, Shorter Graduate Route & More: UK Visa Changes in 2026
The UK government has confirmed a series of major changes to its visa system under the new Plan for Change reforms. Announced in the latest Statement of Changes HC 1333 on 14 October 2025, the new rules raise the English language standard for key work visas, shorten the Graduate route, and make a range of […]
Gig Economy to Come Under Right to Work Regime
The UK government has proposed a major change to the right to work regime through a new clause in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. If approved, the change will require employers to conduct right to work checks not only for standard employees but also for a wider group of individuals engaged under more […]
EU Proposes Youth Mobility Pact with UK
The European Commission is poised to initiate discussions with the United Kingdom on a post-Brexit agreement aimed at enhancing opportunities for young individuals to live, work, and study abroad. Last week, the EU’s governing body announced its intention to request authorisation from the EU Council to begin negotiations on a comprehensive youth mobility pact with […]
New Immigration Salary List Replaces UK Shortage Occupation List
The UK has introduced a new Immigration Salary List (ISL), replacing the Shortage Occupation List under the visa sponsorship system with effect from 4 April 2024. This new list remains overseen by the Home Office, and specifies the occupations that are eligible under the Skilled Worker Visa and Health and Care Worker Visa with a […]
Increase in UK Family Visa Income Requirement from 11 April 2024
The UK has increased the minimum income requirement for family visas to £29,000 effective from 11 April 2024. This is a significant rise of over 55% from the previous level of £18,600. The income threshold is planned to increase further, ultimately reaching £38,700 by early 2025, aligning it with the new threshold for Skilled Worker […]
New Ban on Care Worker Dependants in UK
Health and Care Worker visa applicants are no longer be able to include their partner and children as dependants on their visa, following a change in UK rules from 11 March 2024. The new restrictions apply to individuals applying for sponsored roles as care workers under SOC code 6145 and senior care workers under SOC […]