Appendix Graduate 2026: Rules, Points & Switching
Section A: Appendix Graduate within the Immigration Rules Appendix Graduate is a standalone Appendix to the UK Immigration Rules. It governs the Graduate route under the points-based system and sets out the requirements that an applicant has to meet in order to be granted leave following successful completion of an eligible UK qualification. […]
Immigration Compliance, Audits & Sponsor Licence Support
Sponsor Licence Compliance Support UKVI expects sponsors to maintain effective systems and controls, keep prescribed records, monitor sponsored workers and meet their reporting obligations. In practice, compliance risks rarely arise because an organisation deliberately ignores its responsibilities. More often, issues develop over time as businesses grow, staff change roles and compliance responsibilities become […]
Sponsored Worker on Long Term Sick Leave
Section A: Employer Sick Leave Obligations Sponsor licence holders operate under strict compliance obligations, including duties to monitor sponsored workers’ absence and, where required, report relevant changes through the SMS. This means that when a sponsored worker is absent from work on sick leave, as the employer-sponsor you have a number of obligations […]
Appendix FM UK 2026: Spouse & Partner Visa Rules
Section A: What is Appendix FM? Appendix FM sets out the requirements for certain family members applying to join or remain with a relative in the UK who is a British citizen, a person with settled status, or certain other categories such as refugees, people with humanitarian protection or some individuals with status […]
Which Immigration Costs Can Employers Recover? 2026 Rules
Section A: Recovering Immigration Costs from Workers Questions about recovering immigration-related costs arise regularly in the sponsorship context. Employers may fund visa application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge payments, relocation expenses, training costs, sponsor fees and other expenditure associated with recruiting workers from overseas. Where significant costs have been incurred, attention often turns to […]
10 Year Passport Rule Explained for UK Travellers
Section A: What Is the 10-Year Passport Rule? The 10-year passport rule has become a growing source of confusion for UK travellers heading to Europe. Despite the name, it is not a new passport policy introduced by the UK Government or a recently announced European measure. Instead, it reflects the passport validity requirements […]
Home Office Compliance Visits & UKVI Compliance
Section A: What is UKVI Compliance? UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the division of the Home Office responsible for managing the UK’s visa system, sponsor licensing and immigration compliance enforcement. A UKVI compliance inspection can be a cause of real concern for employers. The Home Office has powers to investigate organisations to […]
Surrender Sponsor Licence? Process & Implications
Section A: What is Sponsor Licence Surrender? A sponsor licence allows a UK employer to sponsor eligible overseas workers under routes such as the Skilled Worker route. However, there is no requirement to retain a sponsor licence indefinitely. Where sponsorship is no longer required or has become commercially unworkable, an organisation can choose […]
Academic Visitor Visa UK 2026: Rules, Fees & Refusals
Section A: Academic Visitor Visa Overview To visit the UK for academic purposes as an overseas national, you may need a visa. As there is no specific Academic Visitor visa for the UK, you would instead apply for a Standard Visitor visa, which permits certain academic-related activities under the visitor route rules. This […]
Switching from Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa UK
Section A: Switching from the Graduate Visa to Skilled Worker Visa The Graduate route was introduced in July 2021 to allow international students who have completed a qualifying UK degree to remain and work for a fixed period after their studies. It is an unsponsored route, meaning employers do not need a sponsor […]