The first statement of changes to the UK Immigration rules for the year 2026 was published on 5 March. These changes take effect on various dates between 5 March 2026 and March 2027.
At a glance, the changes introduced are:
Introduction of ‘Visa brake’
Effective 26 March 2026, citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will no longer be eligible for student visas. In addition, citizens of Afghanistan will no longer be eligible for Skilled Worker visas. It is said that the brake is not intended to be permanent and will be reviewed regularly.
Introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia
As of 5 March 2026, nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia will require a visa for travel to the UK. They are no longer eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travel to the UK.
Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia will also need a Direct Airside Transit Visa when transiting through the UK. A six-week, visa-free transition period will apply for those who already hold an ETA and confirmed UK travel booked on or before 15:00 GMT on 5 March 2026, where arrival in the UK is no later than 15:00 BST on 16 April 2026.
Change to English language test for settlement applications
From March 2027, migrants who need to pass an English language test to settle in the UK, the level required on various work and family routes will be B2. This is an increase on the current B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Skilled Worker route salary compliance
Skilled worker must be paid the required salary in each pay period, subject to variations already permitted in the Rules, so that any breaches can be detected early without the UKVI having to wait until a full year of salary has been paid, and the sponsor is given an opportunity to remedy the issue at an early opportunity or for compliance action to be taken. This change takes effect on 7 April 2026.
Skilled Worker route – Prison Officers
RQF 3 skills threshold will apply to prison officers switching from other migration routes until 31 December 2026. The lower, transitional £31,300 salary threshold and 25th percentile going rate apply to prison officers, including those who do not meet the transitional criteria, until 31 December 2027.
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – changes made to include provisions for Indian nationals
Pursuant to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and India, Indian nationals will be permitted to enter the UK to provide services covered by the agreement for up to 12 months at a time. The provision is likely to be in force by the end of March.
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker: reducing qualifying overseas employment period from 12 to 6 months
The Global Business Mobility Secondment Worker route allows overseas employers who have a high-value contract or investment with a UK organisation, worth at least £50 million, to temporarily send their workers to the UK. Previously, applicants must have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months. The qualifying period is reduced to six months to provide greater flexibility for businesses and attract more high-value contracts to the UK.
Expansion of Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) to include adult children
The changes expand the BN(O) route by making BN(O) status holders’ adult children who were under 18 on 1 July 1997 eligible for the route. The changes replace the term ‘BN(O) Household Member’ with ‘Adult Child’. The changes enable applicants to verify their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app when applying for settlement and confirm that BN(O) or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports that are within five years of their expiration date at the date of application will be accepted for identity and nationality verification when using the app.
Further extension of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme
The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) leave has been extended by a further 24 months to reflect the Government’s commitment to maintaining temporary sanctuary for Ukrainians. Additionally, the application window has been increased from 28 to 90 days to make the process more accessible and reduce unnecessary pressure on applicants. This extension will remain fee-free, and those granted permission to remain under UPE will continue to be able to access work, benefits, healthcare, and education. In addition, the changes ensure that no one loses any existing permission they currently hold: any extant leave will be preserved and added to their new grant.
When a dependant child can be granted settlement in the UK
A dependent child cannot settle in the UK when one parent is a British citizen or settled, and the other parent has temporary permission to stay. A child can settle in the UK when both their parents are settled or are British citizens. If only one parent is settled the child can be granted settlement if that parent has sole responsibility or there are compelling and compassionate circumstances.
Changes to the criminality provisions
A person convicted of a criminal offence in the UK and who received a suspended sentence of 12 months or more will be subject to mandatory refusal or cancellation of leave to enter or remain.
Refugee and humanitarian protection to be granted for 30 months instead of five years
Effective 26 March 2026, those who claim asylum on or after 2 March 2026 will be granted leave for 30 months. This change will not however, apply to claims made by unaccompanied asylum-seeking child who, will continue to receive 5 years’ leave.
The government says that when applying to extend their stay after 30 months, refugees with a continuing need of sanctuary will have their protection renewed, while those whose countries are now deemed safe will be expected to return home. The process for this review has not yet been added to the immigration rules, but the written statement says renewal of protection will not be equivalent to making an initial asylum claim.
Asylum seekers’ right to work
Asylum seekers will be permitted to work in jobs listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations at RQF level 6 or above.
Changes to Procedure and Rights of Appeal for Failed Asylum Seekers
Changes are introduced to the Further Submissions process, which enables individuals to present evidence following the refusal or withdrawal of their asylum claim, once all appeal rights have been exhausted.
Individuals will be required to meet all validity requirements at the point they make further submissions. This includes being in the UK when further submissions are made, being a failed asylum seeker, meaning their initial asylum claim has been refused or withdrawn, and having no outstanding appeal rights or other ongoing protection claims or appeals. Where these requirements are not met, further submissions may be rejected as invalid without consideration.
A new provision for implicit withdrawal has been introduced. This will allow the Home Office to treat further submissions as withdrawn where an individual fails to comply with process requirements, including maintaining contact with the Home Office, attending reporting events and responding to requests for information.
Disclosure of information relating to asylum claims when cases are subject to public interest
The Home Office is to disclose information that an asylum claim has been made by an individual claimant, where the release of such information is in the public interest.
Revoking the Duty to Provide Asylum Support
The current legal obligation to provide asylum support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute will be revoked and the power to offer support under domestic law will be restored.
The policy for a conditional support system will come into force in June. The overarching intention is to ensure that support is focused on those who genuinely need it and comply with the system.
Visitor Visa – Permit Free Festival List
Visitors cannot normally receive payment from a UK source for any permitted activities they undertake in the UK, but Permit Free Festival performers are exempt from this requirement and can be paid for their work, without a requirement for them to be sponsored under the points-based system. The list for Permit Free Festival has been updated for 2026.
Introduction of new Suitability requirement under Appendix EU
A change has been made to allow for an EUSS application to be refused where an EEA national assists another person to obtain leave by falsely claiming to be an eligible family member.