New ETA Scheme for 25th February 2026
What is the UK ETA? An ETA is a digital travel permission, not a visa and not a right to enter. It is obtained through a short online application, either via the official UK ETA app or the GOV.UK service. The current application fee is £16. Most applications are decided automatically in minutes, […]
Ukraine UPE Scheme: New 90-Day Application Window
Changes to the UPE Scheme for Ukrainian Nationals in the UK On 24 February 2026, the Government confirmed that applicants will be able to apply to the UPE Scheme up to 90 days before their current Ukraine scheme permission expires. This will apply both to individuals applying to UPE for the first time […]
Suspension of Visa Issuance: Reform UK Immigration Policy Unveiled
Reform UK Sets out Immigration Policies Reform UK’s Shadow Home Secretary, Zia Yusuf, used a speech in Dover today alongside party leader Nigel Farage to set out a package of immigration and internal security proposals. The party said it would deliver “net negative” migration, meaning annual departures would exceed arrivals, and outlined plans […]
Expats Renounce British Citizenship Due to Stricter Border Checks
Why expats are renouncing British Citizenship Recent changes to the UK’s pre-departure travel checks have unsettled some dual British nationals living overseas. Reports of boarding delays and warnings at check-in have prompted questions about how British citizenship now needs to be evidenced when travelling to the UK. For families managing more than one […]
India Young Professionals Scheme UK Ballot 2026
India Young Professionals Scheme UK Ballot Opening Dates for 2026 The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 17 February 2026 and will close at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 19 February 2026. Entries can be submitted at any point while the ballot window is open. […]
Earned Settlement Consultation Closes: Next Steps in ILR Reform
Next Steps in ILR Reforms With the consultation now closed, the Home Office will review and analyse the consultation responses before publishing a formal government response. Any confirmed changes will then be introduced through a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament. Commencement is likely to follow in stages, potentially […]
UKVI Issues Urgent Warning Ahead of 25 Feb 2026 Digital Checks
25 February 2026 Changes From 25 February 2026, enhanced digital status checks will apply when travelling to or from the UK. Airlines will verify immigration status electronically against the document recorded in the UKVI account. If the passport number presented at check-in does not match the document linked to your digital status, the […]
EU Entry Exit System Problems: Half Term Disruption Expected
EU Entry Exit System Problems 2026 The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital border management platform used across the Schengen Area to record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling for short stays, replacing manual passport stamping with biometric registration and electronic records. EES applies to third-country nationals entering the Schengen […]
UK Expands Hong Kong BNO Visa
UK Hong Kong BNO Visa Expanded The expansion introduces independent eligibility for adult children of BN(O) status holders who were under the age of 18 at the time of the Hong Kong handover on 1 July 1997. Before this change, individuals in this position could generally only apply as dependants, typically as part […]
UK Immigration Status: Enhanced Passenger Checks from 25 Feb 2026
UK Immigration Status: Passenger Checks Change from 25 February 2026 UK immigration status is causing disruption ahead of changes to carrier checks taking effect from 25 February 2026. From this date, airlines, ferry operators and international rail providers are required to verify a passenger’s UK immigration permission before boarding, using Home Office digital […]