Immigration Statement of Changes HC 997 July 2025
On 1 July 2025, the Home Office released Statement of Changes HC 997, accompanied by a press release, setting out the Government’s ambition to “restore order and control” to the immigration system. The 140-page instrument is wide-ranging, but in headline terms, it gives effect many of the skilled worker reforms outlined in the Immigration White […]
Immigration Statement of Changes HC 836 June 2025
The latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 836, was laid before Parliament on 24 June 2025. The changes focus on the EU Settlement Scheme, restricted-leave cases, International Civilian Employees, the Private Life route, Appendix Continuous Residence and Appendix Long Residence, among others. The amendments take effect on staggered dates between 16 July […]
New UK Global Talent Taskforce: Fast-Tracked Overseas Recruitment
The UK Government has launched a Global Talent Taskforce, alongside a £54 million Global Talent Fund, to attract world-leading researchers, innovators and high-calibre creatives to the United Kingdom. Announced on 22 June 2025 by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Business and Trade, the initiative aims to supercharge the […]
MAC’s UK Family Visa Review: ‘Lower Salary Threshold’
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has today published its long-awaited review of the financial requirement for UK family visas. Commissioned in response to widespread criticism of the Conservative government’s decision to raise the threshold from £18,600 to £29,000, and with a proposed increase to £38,700 still under consideration, the MAC was asked by the Labour […]
BRP & BRC Grace Period Ends – eVisas Now Mandatory for UK Travel
From 2 June 2025, travellers to the UK can no longer use expired Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) or EU Settlement Scheme Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) as proof of their immigration status. Only digital eVisas will now be accepted to confirm permission to enter the UK, with limited exceptions. This follows the end of the Home […]
Temporary Shortage List to Replace Immigration Salary List
The Immigration Salary List is to be removed and will be replaced by a Temporary Shortage List for certain sub-degree occupations under the UK’s work visa sponsorship regime. What is changing? In May 2025, the UK Government released its immigration white paper, Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, introducing significant reforms aimed at […]
Care Worker Visa Route to Close
The UK Government has confirmed that care workers will be removed from the visa sponsorship regime, bringing an end to overseas recruitment of care workers. The announcement forms part of the May 2025 immigration white paper, Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, which outlines wide-ranging changes to work visa eligibility and skilled worker access as […]
Immigration White Paper 2025: Essential Guide
The UK Government has today published its immigration white paper, ‘Restoring Control Over the Immigration System’. The paper outlines a series of proposals intended to reduce net migration and reshape access to work routes, with a headline focus on raising skill thresholds and curbing lower-paid migration. The removal of care workers from sponsorship eligibility and […]
Update: Gig Economy Right to Work Checks
The government is introducing a new clause to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill that would widen the current right to work framework to include more flexible working arrangements. If implemented, the new rules will broaden the scope of the existing right to work regime to cover organisations using so-called gig economy workers. […]
UK–India Free Trade Agreement: Visa Implications
The United Kingdom and India have announced a new Free Trade Agreement, bringing three years of negotiations to an end. While much of the public attention has focused on tariffs and market access, the deal also introduces new provisions that will affect how UK employers recruit and engage skilled professionals from India. Among the most […]