Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Cost & Rules 2026
Section A: What is the Immigration Health Surcharge? The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is an upfront charge paid as part of most UK visa and immigration applications for time-limited immigration permission, including most grants exceeding 6 months and in-country applications to extend or vary permission. It applies each time limited leave is granted, […]
Biometric Residence Permits & Proof of ILR 2026
Section A: How Do You Prove ILR After Your BRP Has Expired? The expiry of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) does not mean that Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has expired. Many people who previously relied on a BRP as evidence of their immigration status continue to hold valid ILR even though their […]
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. […]
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 […]
Immigration Fee Clawback Clause: What Are the Rules?
Section A: What is an immigration fee clawback clause? An immigration fee clawback clause is a contractual term under which a worker agrees to repay specified immigration or relocation expenditure paid by the employer if an agreed repayment event occurs. The provision may appear in the employment contract, an offer letter or a […]
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 […]
Temporary Work Visa UK Guide 2026
Section A: What is a Temporary Work Visa in the UK? A Temporary Work visa in the UK is a category of visa that enables foreign nationals to undertake short-term employment for a defined period under strict conditions set by the Home Office. These routes are designed for specific sectors and purposes such […]
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 […]