Mastering Immigration Law Subscription Update – June 2025
June 2025 delivered major changes to UK immigration policy and practice. Key developments include the shift to digital visas, restrictions on Leave Outside the Rules applications, simplified Global Talent processes, and new multi-agency enforcement guidelines.
Our MIL Blog covers these essential updates that immigration advisers need to understand for effective client representation.
Visa regime
UK Immigration Shifts to Digital Visas: Physical Passport Stickers Phased Out
The UK immigration system is undergoing a major digital transformation, with traditional passport visa stickers being discontinued for most work and study applications from 15 July 2025. This significant change marks the end of an era for physical visa vignettes, replacing them with a fully electronic system designed to modernise and streamline the immigration process.
From mid-July 2025, applicants for employment and education-based UK visas are no longer receiving the familiar visa vignette stickers placed in their passports. Instead, successful applicants must establish a UKVI online account and link their passport details to access their electronic visa status. This digital visa, known as an eVisa, serves as their official proof of immigration permission when travelling to and entering the UK.
The digital transition affects several key visa categories, including Skilled Worker visas covering Health and Care Worker routes, Student visas including short-term study visas valid for up to eleven months, Global Talent visas, Temporary Worker visas, and Youth Mobility Scheme applications. However, the change does not apply universally across all immigration categories.
Importantly, dependants of main applicants and those applying for visa types outside work and study categories will continue to receive physical passport stickers under the existing system. This selective approach ensures a gradual transition whilst maintaining established processes for certain applicant groups.
The new electronic system eliminates the traditional passport stamping process at visa application centres, representing a significant operational change for both applicants and service providers. Immigration advisers should be particularly aware that BRP cards will become invalid for international travel purposes from 2 June 2025, requiring travellers to rely entirely on their eVisa status for immigration purposes.
Business Immigration
Streamlined Global Talent Applications: New Single-Form Process Replaces Dual Submission Requirements
The Global Talent visa application process for the Digital Technology route has undergone significant streamlining following changes implemented on 4 August 2025. Previously, applicants faced a dual-form requirement that created administrative complexity and potential pitfalls for those seeking endorsement under this route.
Prior to the August deadline, candidates were required to complete both the standard ‘Global Talent endorsement: Stage 1’ form on GOV.UK and a separate application form on the Tech Nation website, with both submissions mandatory by 11:59 pm on 3 August 2025. Failure to submit either form would result in automatic rejection, creating a considerable burden for applicants and their representatives to navigate two distinct application portals simultaneously.
The revised process from 4 August 2025 onwards has eliminated the separate Tech Nation form entirely, consolidating all requirements into an expanded single ‘Global Talent endorsement, Stage 1’ form on GOV.UK. This streamlined approach incorporates all questions previously contained within the Tech Nation application, maintaining the same endorsement criteria whilst significantly simplifying the administrative process for both applicants and immigration advisers managing these applications.
Family and Personal Immigration
Court Ruling Restricts LOTR Applications: PAP Letters No Longer Sufficient Following QP1 Case Decision
The framework for Leave Outside the Rules applications has changed significantly following the case QP1 EWHC 1388 (Admin), which has established that Procedural Advice and Policy letters can no longer be used as grounds for LOTR applications. This judicial decision marks a notable tightening in how discretionary leave applications are approached.
Previously, some practitioners relied on such letters, which provided procedural advice or policy guidance, to support their LOTR applications. The High Court has now ruled that these letters are insufficient as a foundation for such applications, effectively closing this avenue for discretionary leave requests.
The Home Office has responded by clarifying and restricting the circumstances under which leave outside the Immigration Rules can be granted. This change reflects a broader governmental approach towards limiting discretionary powers in immigration matters, emphasising strict adherence to established criteria rather than procedural interpretations.
LOTR applications must now be based on established, compelling compassionate grounds or other specific recognised criteria within the policy framework. The shift aligns with wider statutory tightening observed in 2025 regarding immigration discretion and judicial review processes.
Immigration advisers must now advise clients who previously might have relied on PAP letters to identify alternative, more robust grounds for their LOTR applications. This requires a thorough reassessment of case circumstances to ensure they meet the updated policy requirements following this landmark judicial decision.
Enforcement and Removals
Multi-Agency Enforcement Collaboration: Updated Framework for Third-Party Partnership Operations
The Home Office has released updated guidance on Partnership Working that establishes a structured framework for collaboration between Immigration Enforcement and third-party agencies during operational activities. This comprehensive approach recognises that immigration enforcement often intersects with other criminal activities, requiring coordinated responses that leverage the expertise and powers of multiple agencies to achieve optimal results.
Multi-agency operations form the cornerstone of this collaborative approach, enabling Immigration Enforcement to participate in other agency-led visits where immigration offenders are likely to be identified, whilst also inviting specialist agencies to join immigration-focused operations when intelligence suggests broader criminal activity. This mutual arrangement facilitates the joint use of legal powers and creates a visible deterrent effect, with local tasking and coordination groups providing the necessary approval structure for such collaborative ventures.
The guidance emphasises robust information and data sharing protocols as fundamental to successful partnership working, establishing secure channels for intelligence exchange that support enforcement objectives across multiple agencies. Immigration Compliance and Enforcement teams maintain dedicated liaison officers at local levels to ensure effective stakeholder engagement, creating a coordinated approach that addresses not only immigration violations but also the wider spectrum of related criminal activities that may be uncovered during joint operations.
Keeping Pace with UK Immigration Law Changes
At HJT Training, we are committed to ensuring immigration advisers maintain their position at the forefront of legal practice. Through our continuously updated Mastering Immigration Law (MIL) platform, we deliver precise and comprehensive analysis of emerging developments. Our subscribers benefit from authoritative insights and practical guidance, enabling them to provide outstanding representation to their clients.
We take pride in delivering prompt, precise, and perceptive analysis of the ever-shifting immigration landscape. By tapping into our resources, advisers can confidently tackle the intricacies of immigration law, providing expert guidance to those who depend on their knowledge.
For our subscribers’ convenience, we’ve compiled a thorough list of all updates in the Updates & Videos module. It’s our way of ensuring you’re always in the know, ready to face whatever challenges the world of UK immigration might bring.
A comprehensive list of all the updates is listed for our subscriber’s reference under the Updates & Videos module.
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As the year progresses, we anticipate further changes on the horizon and MIL will be your reliable companion throughout these times.
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Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
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Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration advisors should consult the full decisions and official policy documents when advising clients on specific cases.
