Earned Settlement UK ILR Changes: Impact on Employers
Earned settlement: changes to UK ILR Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced the government’s final policy framework for earned settlement, under which the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain would increase from five to ten years. Shorter pathways will recognise specified contributions and circumstances, while strengthened minimum requirements will govern eligibility. The main […]
UK Aims to Attract Highly Skilled Workers in Budget Visa Reforms
UK Aims to Attract Highly Skilled Workers in Budget Visa Reform The government has announced immigration reforms intended to help employers recruit and retain highly skilled international workers. The measures, set out in the Budget on 28 October 2026, include changes to Skilled Worker salary requirements from spring 2027 and a longer period […]
New UK Visa for Foreign Investors?
Investor visa proposals ahead of the Budget Proposals for a new UK investor visa have attracted renewed attention ahead of the October Budget. On 18 October, the Economic Times reported, drawing on Bloomberg, that ministers were considering a route to attract wealthy foreign nationals and investment into UK businesses.1 Subsequent reporting suggests an […]
UKVI Review of Inactive Sponsor Licences
Why is the Home Office contacting inactive sponsors? The Home Office has identified organisations that have held sponsor licences for more than 12 months but have either never sponsored a worker or previously sponsored workers whose Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) work end dates were more than 12 months ago. The correspondence follows changes to Part […]
Changes to UK Visitor Visa Rules in 2026
What has changed for business visitors to the UK in 2026? The Visitor Rules permit a range of business activities, including attending meetings, conferences and seminars, negotiating and signing contracts, carrying out site visits and inspections and undertaking certain intra-group activities. From 8 October 2026, workshops and debates are expressly included in the […]
End of SMS Level 2 User Access: Prepare for March 2027
Changes to Level 2 SMS user rules in 2027 Following changes announced by the Home Office in early September 2026, sponsors have been unable to appoint new Level 2 users. Existing Level 2 users can continue to access the Sponsor Management System (SMS) during a fixed transitional period, but the latest Home Office […]
Expanded Right to Work Rules Now in Force
What has changed? The scope of the Right to Work regime has been widened, extending obligations beyond traditional employment relationships in specified circumstances. Previously, the scheme was primarily focused on individuals engaged under a contract of employment. From 1 October 2026, the scope extends to certain working arrangements involving: workers engaged under a worker’s […]
MPs Launch Inquiry into UK Work-based Immigration
What is the inquiry examining? The Home Affairs Committee is examining whether the Government’s current approach to work-based immigration is likely to achieve its stated objective of reducing reliance on overseas recruitment while supporting greater investment in the domestic workforce. A central focus will be the Skilled Worker route. The Committee is considering […]
Tribunal Awards Care Worker £28k for Employer’s Abuse of Sponsorship System
What happened in the Shaji case? Shabin Shaji was sponsored by Swan Care Solutions Ltd to work as a care worker. His Certificate of Sponsorship recorded an annual salary of £22,880 for a 40-hour working week. After arriving in the UK, Mr Shaji completed training required by the employer and remained available for […]
Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC 584, 3 September 2026
What are the main changes? The changes affect a broad range of immigration routes, including Skilled Worker, Visitor, Student, Child Student, EU Settlement Scheme, Hong Kong BN(O), Victim of Domestic Abuse and the religious work routes. Most changes will take effect on 8 October 2026, with further provisions taking effect on 29 October, […]