News update – 13 March 2026
The most significant change to the UK immigration system for the first quarter has now occurred. The Government presented the Statement of Changes HC 1691 to Parliament on 5th March 2026. The document introduces a wide range of amendments to the points-based immigration system and to asylum policy, with changes spanning settlement, specialist work routes, border controls and refugee protection. While some provisions take immediate effect, others are staged across 2026 and into 2027, giving applicants and practitioners time to adjust.
The most consequential confirmed change for settlement applicants is the scheduled increase to the English language threshold. From 26th March 2027, individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain through most mainstream routes will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency at B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, up from the current B1 standard.
The affected routes span work, family and long residence categories, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, the partner and parent routes under Appendix FM, and the ten-year long residence route. Applicants who are exempt from the language requirement on grounds of nationality, age or disability will continue to benefit from those exemptions under the amended rules.
The practical implication for those currently mid-way through a settlement pathway is one of timing. Because settlement applications are assessed against the rules in force on the date they are submitted, anyone who can qualify before 26th March 2027 will still be assessed under the existing B1 requirement. This makes careful forward planning particularly important for applicants whose qualifying period ends around that date.
The Global Talent route has meaningful updates through HC 1691, with two distinct changes that will be of interest to employers and applicants in the academic, research and creative sectors. The first is an expansion of the route to include a dedicated design pathway, bringing in additional design roles that were previously outside the scope of the visa. This follows a commitment made in the Immigration White Paper published in May 2025 and reflects the Government’s stated intention to make the UK a more accessible destination for leading creative practitioners.
The second change concerns the appointments fast track option within the Global Talent route. Working with the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society, the Home Office has simplified the criteria governing which individuals in eligible academic or research positions can access this pathway. The fast-track route was designed to act as a proxy for the full peer review endorsement process, allowing applicants, in recognised positions, to qualify with fewer evidential requirements. In practice, however, the previous criteria caused sufficient confusion which some eligible applicants were proceeding through the longer full endorsement route unnecessarily.
The revised criteria clarifies that the fast track is available to those in PhD-level roles at approved UK higher education institutions or research institutes. The applicant either holds responsibility for academic or research leadership and development, or where research and innovation form the primary function of the role. The change is a practical one, intended to reduce administrative friction for applicants who should already qualify.
Separate from the 2027 language change, the Government has also indicated that broader Earned Settlement reforms may be brought forward in 2026, although those proposals are not yet part of the Immigration Rules. In her 5th March speech at IPPR, the Home Secretary reaffirmed that the normal qualifying period should move from five years to ten, with some individuals potentially able to qualify earlier depending on contribution. Crucially, the Government has confirmed that these reforms are intended to apply not only to future arrivals but also to individuals already in the UK who have not yet secured settled status. Until a further Statement of Changes formally implements that proposal, the existing five-year qualifying periods remain the applicable legal standard.
Also introduced through HC 1691 is a new salary compliance provision affecting Skilled Worker route holders, coming into force on 8 April 2026. The amendment allows the Home Office to assess whether salary requirements are met across defined pay periods rather than relying solely on an annualised figure. Although this does not directly amend the ILR provisions, it has downstream implications for workers who depend on the Skilled Worker route to accumulate their qualifying residence. Any shortfall in salary compliance could affect the ability to extend leave and ultimately reach the settlement threshold.
This Statement of Changes introduces some of the most significant structural shifts seen in recent years. With effect from 26th March 2026, the Government is implementing what it terms a visa brake, under which Student visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will be refused, and Skilled Worker visa applications from Afghan nationals will similarly be declined. The measure is explicitly framed as a response to a sharp rise in visa-linked asylum claims, with the Home Office noting that claims from individuals who had previously entered on a valid visa nearly tripled between 2022 and 2025. The brake is stated to be temporary and subject to review, but its introduction marks a clear departure from the principle that visa routes should be assessed purely on the basis of individual eligibility criteria.
Alongside the visa brake, the duration of leave granted to those recognised as refugees or under humanitarian protection is being reduced from five years to 30 months for anyone who claimed asylum on or after 2nd March 2026. This marks the start of what the Government describes as a core protection model, moving away from the assumption of permanent protection and towards a more conditional, time-limited offer. Under the existing framework, refugees could apply for settlement at the end of their five-year leave on what was largely an automatic basis. The new approach requires individuals to make a further application before their 30-month leave expires, with the wider settlement pathway under review as part of the broader reform programme. The change does not apply to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, who will continue to receive five years’ leave while a separate pathway for that cohort is developed. Individuals who claimed asylum before 2 March 2026 and were granted five years’ leave remain eligible to apply for settlement protection under the existing rules.
The further submissions process, which allows refused asylum seekers to put forward new evidence after exhausting their appeal rights, has also been placed on a statutory footing through HC 1691. Previously governed by guidance rather than the Immigration Rules themselves, the process now requires individuals to attend an in-person appointment at a Service and Support Centre. Failure to comply with the procedural requirements will allow the Home Office to treat submissions as invalid or, in cases of non-compliance or absconding, as implicitly withdrawn. The change gives the process a clear legal basis and brings it in line with arrangements that already apply to initial asylum claims.
For those currently holding leave under one of the Ukraine visa schemes, the Statement of Changes brings welcome certainty. The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme is being extended to allow eligible individuals to apply for a further 24 months of permission to stay. The application window is also being widened from 28 to 90 days before leave expires, giving individuals significantly more time to confirm their ongoing status in the UK.
With asylum policy undergoing its most significant structural overhaul in years HJT are delivering an Asylum Reforms liver webinar Antonia Randall-Brandwood will guide practitioners through the new asylum regime, covering the changes every advisor needs to understand ahead of the 26 March implementation date. Visit HERE for more information or to book. For enquiries, contact HJT Training at enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call 075 4416 4692.
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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, SEE BELOW.
Immigration News
Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, March 2026 released – UKVI
The Home Office issued a major update to the Immigration Rules, marking the first amendments of the year 2026. The revisions address various domains, including new visa restrictions, modifications to refugee protection periods, procedures concerning failed asylum seekers, and updated English language requirements for settlement. To download the full document, visit here . To download the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum, visit here
Families given a week to decide whether to leave UK voluntarily plead for more time – The Guardian
Home Office has targeted 150 families whose asylum claims were refused and offers them up to £40,000 to leave or face forcible removal. The Home Office has targeted 150 families whose asylum claims were refused and given them just seven days to make the decision, which would uproot their children from schools and adopted communities. Those who refuse to leave voluntarily may be forcibly removed in handcuffs, including children. The Home Office announced the new pilot scheme a week ago, asking the families to opt for expedited voluntary return to their home countries with the sweetener of “go home” payments of up to £10,000 per family member, up to a total of £40,000. To view the full article, visit here
Home Office refuses to exempt exceptional students from tough immigration rules – The Guardian
The Home Office rejected an appeal from the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, that would have protected outstanding students in some of the world’s most dangerous countries from changes to the UK’s immigration system, the Guardian understands. Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, turned down proposals from the Foreign Office to maintain a carve-out for Chevening scholars, a Government-funded programme for “exceptional individuals” to study for a master’s degree at a UK university. To view the full article, visit here
Big rise in UK employers losing migrant worker licences after Home Office crackdown – Financial Times
The number of UK employers losing their licence to sponsor migrant workers tripled at the end of 2025 as the Home Office tightened its enforcement of immigration rules. More than 1,500 employers were stripped of their sponsor licence between October and December, up from 541 in the previous three months, according to official figures. A total of 3,100 revocations during 2025 was the highest since records began in 2012. To view the full article, visit here
Sudanese students say UK visa ban has dashed hopes of studying at top universities – The Guardian
Sudanese scientists, who have been promised research posts, at leading UK universities have spoken of their “shock” and “sadness” that their hopes have been dashed after Shabana Mahmood’s decision to end study visas for people from their country. More than 200 Sudanese postgraduates and undergraduates fear they will no longer be permitted to take up places at 46 universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London, with some claiming that their lives have been torn apart by the home secretary’s “blunt” intervention. To view the full article, visit here
‘Illegitimacy tax’: new UK border rules for dual nationals throwing lives into chaos – The Guardian
Two women who have lived almost all their lives in the UK have had their lives thrown into chaos due to the new border control rules for British dual nationals because their French mothers were not married to their British fathers. Both women have been forced to prove their right to British passports, which did not accord automatic citizenship to the children of unmarried British fathers in dual national relationships until the law was changed in 2005. To view the full article, visit here
UK-EU couples face ‘arduous’ system post-Brexit – BBC News UK
Couples consisting of UK and EU citizens are struggling to navigate the UK immigration system, a study has found. University of Bristol researchers interviewed 56 UK-EU couples living in England and Wales over three years and found new visa requirements for EU nationals following Brexit had led to family separations and trauma. To view the full article, visit here
Case Law
G4 and G5 v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] SC/195/2022; SC/001/2025; SC/94/2022; SC/196/2024
The Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) allowed the appeals of G4 and G5 and the Secretary of State’s 2022 exclusion decisions made on national security and serious organised crime grounds were quashed. The Commission found that, once significant new material emerged during proceedings, the Home Office failed to conduct a fresh internal reconsideration in light of that evidence, rendering the original decisions procedurally flawed and unlawful under section 2B of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission Act 1997. To view the full decision, visit here
BHO (R on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care & Anor [2026] EWHC 517 (Admin)
The High Court dismissed a judicial review brought by a Latvian national challenging NHS charges imposed for her daughter’s medical treatment during a period when the daughter held no settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The court held that residence rights granted under Article 18.1 of the EU Withdrawal Agreement operate prospectively only and do not retrospectively legitimise a pre-application period of residence. Whilst indirect discrimination against EU nationals was acknowledged, it was found to be objectively justified by the need to uphold the integrity of the UK’s constitutive scheme, and no reference to the Court of Justice of the European Union was required. To view the full decision, visit here
AYA & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 552 (Admin)
Mr Justice Sheldon granted interim relief to the Appellant, halting his removal to France under the UK-France Treaty pending a hearing on 28 April 2026. Key issues addressed in this case included whether amending Modern Slavery Guidance to remove reconsideration rights for those facing removal was lawful, and the failure to decide trafficking claims already referred into the NRM, as seen in EXR’s case. The court found shortcomings in France’s support for trafficking victims, particularly regarding mental health care. In AYA’s case, with the Secretary of State conceding France could not meet his recovery needs and psychiatric evidence indicating removal risk, the balance favoured the Appellant. To view the full decision, visit here
Secretary of State for the Home Department v AB [2026] EWCA Civ 230
The Court of Appeal remitted this deportation case back to the Upper Tribunal after finding that the UT had erred in law by relying solely on the subjective fear of AB’s partner (CD) when concluding she was unable to relocate to India. The Court confirmed that whilst subjective fear is a relevant factor, it cannot be treated as determinative tribunals must conduct a broader objective assessment. To view the full decision, visit here
Lin & Anor v SSHD [2026] EWHC 457 (Admin)
The High Court dismissed a judicial review brought by two Chinese nationals who missed the 8 August 2023 EUSS FMQBC deadline. The Court confirmed that their EEA residence cards had ceased to evidence lawful residence from 30 June 2021 once their underlying EU law rights were extinguished by Brexit. Their Article 14 ECHR discrimination claim, and all remaining grounds including irrationality and unreasonableness were rejected, with the Court finding the route closure justified, proportionate, and well publicized over a generous transitional period. To view the full decision, visit here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Update
Promotional material: Taking a photo for a visa application or permission: video has been updated on 11th March 2026. To view the updated Promotional material, visit here
Guidance: Using the ‘UK ETA’ app has been updated on 11th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 11th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 11th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Correspondence: Updates on the move to e-Visas has been updated on 11th March 2026. To view the updated Correspondence, visit here
Form: Windrush Compensation Scheme: claim forms and guidance has been updated on 10th March 2026. To view the updated Form, visit here
Guidance: Registration as a British Overseas Territories citizen (BOTC(F)) has been updated on 09th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Registration as British if your mother had connection to a British Overseas Territory has been updated on 09th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Egypt: country policy and information notes has been updated on 09th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Ceasing asylum support: caseworker has been updated on 09th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Form S has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Form: Application to register as British citizen: form EM has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Form, visit here
Guidance: Form T has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2 has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Workers and Temporary Workers – guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Sponsor guidance appendix D: keeping records for sponsorship has been updated 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Collection: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Collection, visit here
Guidance: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: glossary has been published on 06th march 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Sponsor an International Agreement worker has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Sponsor a Skilled Worker has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Bulk data transfer for sponsors: frequently asked questions has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Victims of domestic abuse: caseworker has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Form RS1 has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Form B(OS) has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Collection: Funding instructions for resettlement programmes has been update on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Collection: Archive: Immigration Rules has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated collection, visit here
Guidance: Immigration Rules archive: 8 January 2026 to 4 March 2026 has been published on 06th March 2026. To view the Guidance, visit here
Guidance: Introduction to the sponsorship management system: SMS manual 1 has been updated on 06th March 2026. To view the updated Guidance, visit here
Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
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.