Section A: Latest UK Immigration Rule Changes 2026
The following updates reflect confirmed immigration rule changes in 2026 affecting travel, applications and compliance in the UK.
25 February 2026: enhanced pre-departure immigration checks
From 25 February 2026, carriers will carry out stricter electronic permission checks before departure to the UK. Boarding may be refused where Home Office systems do not confirm valid immigration status linked to the passport presented. Because permission verification now takes place before travel, issues that might previously have been addressed on arrival can prevent departure altogether. Travellers most at risk include dual nationals and people relying on digital immigration status.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): full operational enforcement
Eligible non-visa nationals must hold an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling to the UK. Carriers will verify ETA status electronically prior to boarding. Individuals who already hold valid UK immigration permission remain exempt from the ETA requirement, but their status must still be digitally confirmed against the passport used for travel.
Section B: Skilled Worker and Work Sponsorship Changes
Recent amendments to the Skilled Worker route affected salary thresholds, skill levels and sponsor obligations.
4 April 2024: higher salary thresholds and revised going-rate tables
From 4 April 2024, new salary thresholds and revised going-rate tables applied to Skilled Worker applications. The updated framework altered the baseline salary requirement for many occupation codes.
Sponsors assigning Certificates of Sponsorship after that date must rely on the updated Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations tables. Historic salary figures are no longer relevant for new applications.
Workers whose first Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned before 4 April 2024 and who have held continuous permission in the route may qualify under transitional salary rules for certain extension applications.
Extension planning requires confirmation of the original CoS assignment date and continuous leave history. Transitional protection does not apply automatically and is limited to defined cohorts.
22 July 2025: skill threshold raised to RQF level 6 and eligible occupation list reduced
From 22 July 2025, the minimum skill level for Skilled Worker sponsorship increased to roles assessed at RQF level 6 or above. At the same time, the list of eligible occupation codes was reduced.
Roles that previously qualified at a lower skill level no longer meet the route requirements. Sponsors should confirm that the proposed role appears in the version of Appendix Skilled Occupations in force on the date of CoS assignment.
22 July 2025: overseas recruitment for social care closed
Overseas recruitment for social care roles ended from 22 July 2025. New entry clearance applications in this category are no longer permitted under the Skilled Worker framework.
Care providers looking to recruit from overseas should review alternative lawful routes where available.
July 2025: further increases to salary figures in Appendix Skilled Worker
Further amendments introduced revised salary figures in Appendix Skilled Worker during July 2025. The general threshold and occupation-specific going rates were updated through a Statement of Changes.
Sponsors should check the version of Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations in force on the date of Certificate of Sponsorship assignment and on the date of application submission. Salary miscalculations are a common basis for refusal.
Immigration Salary List: timing and eligibility restrictions
The Immigration Salary List identifies roles where modified salary calculations may apply. Each entry includes conditions and, in some cases, removal dates. Sponsors relying on the Immigration Salary List should confirm that the occupation code, timing and salary calculations align with the current Appendix requirements.
Late 2025: updated Appendix D record-keeping requirements
Appendix D sponsor guidance was updated in late 2025. The revised version sets out the documents sponsors are expected to retain and the standards applied during compliance activity.
Sponsors should review internal compliance systems against the current Appendix D guidance and address gaps before a Home Office compliance visit.
Section C: Family Visa Rule Changes
Recent amendments to the family route have focused primarily on the financial requirement for partner applications.
11 April 2024: partner minimum income requirement increased to £29,000
From 11 April 2024, the minimum income requirement for partner and spouse visa applications increased to £29,000 per year for new applicants.
Applications submitted on or after that date are assessed against the £29,000 threshold unless transitional provisions apply.
Transitional provisions for pre-11 April 2024 applicants
Applicants who submitted a partner application before 11 April 2024 may remain subject to the previous financial threshold when applying for extension within the same route.
Eligibility under transitional provisions depends on the date of the initial application and whether leave has been held continuously.
No further increase implemented beyond £29,000
Government statements previously referenced additional staged increases to the partner income requirement. At present, only the £29,000 threshold is implemented in the Immigration Rules.
Any further increase would require a formal Statement of Changes before taking effect.
Ongoing evidential requirements under Appendix FM-SE
Documentary requirements for meeting the financial threshold remain unchanged. Applicants must provide evidence that satisfies Appendix FM-SE in the required format.
Refusals frequently arise from missing mandatory wording in employer letters, incorrect income category selection or incomplete financial documentation.
Child dependants under the partner route
The eligibility framework for children applying under the partner route remains in place. The April 2024 reform altered the income threshold structure but did not introduce new child-specific eligibility criteria.
Section D: Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain Changes 2026
Recent amendments affecting settlement have focused on continuous residence rules and long residence eligibility. In parallel, consultation proposals signal potential reform from 2026, although those changes are not yet in force.
11 April 2024: revised absence rules for long residence
For long residence applications, time spent in the UK after 11 April 2024 is assessed against a 180-day limit in any rolling 12-month period. Time accrued before that date remains subject to the previous long residence absence framework.
Applicants relying on ten years’ lawful residence must therefore assess absences under two different rule sets where their qualifying period spans April 2024.
July 2025: updates to Appendix Long Residence and Appendix Continuous Residence
In July 2025, amendments were made to Appendix Long Residence and Appendix Continuous Residence. These updates clarify how lawful residence is assessed across multiple grants of leave and how absences are calculated within the qualifying period.
Applications are decided under the version of the Appendix in force on the date of decision. Applicants should confirm that their residence history aligns with the current wording of the relevant Appendix.
Continuous residence guidance and calculation method
Continuous residence under Appendix Continuous Residence is assessed using a rolling 12-month approach. The Home Office guidance explains how absences are calculated and how permitted exceptions operate.
Incorrect absence calculations remain a frequent cause of refusal. Travel records, entry and exit stamps and documentary evidence should be reviewed before submission.
Earned settlement consultation: proposals not yet implemented
Following the 2025 Immigration White Paper, the Home Office has issued proposals to reform ILR rules. The consultation on earned settlement reforms has now closed, and the final policy and rule changes are awaited.
These proposals do not alter current ILR eligibility requirements unless and until formal amendments are laid before Parliament and brought into force.
Government statements indicate that settlement reforms may begin to take effect from 2026. The detail and scope of any implemented changes will depend on the final form of the amended Immigration Rules.
Applicants approaching eligibility should check the requirements in force at the time they apply and monitor any confirmed implementation dates.
Section E: UK Visa Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge Updates
Visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge have increased across most immigration routes. Fee changes apply from the stated implementation date and affect entry clearance, in-country applications and settlement.
6 February 2024: Immigration Health Surcharge increased
From 6 February 2024, the Immigration Health Surcharge increased to £1,035 per person per year for most applicants. A reduced rate of £776 per year applies to students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and children under 18.
The surcharge is payable in full at the point of application for the entire period of leave requested.
October 2023 and 2024: visa application fee increases
Visa application fees were increased in October 2023 across visit, work, study, settlement and nationality routes, with further adjustments during 2024. The applicable fee depends on the route, the length of leave requested and whether the application is made from inside or outside the UK.
Applicants should confirm the fee published on GOV.UK immediately before submission.
Settlement and ILR application fees
The application fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain remains higher than most temporary visa routes. The fee applies per applicant and does not include optional priority processing.
Applicants should budget for the application fee in addition to Life in the UK Test fees, English language testing where required and any professional advice.
Fee refunds and withdrawals
Visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are not automatically refundable once substantive processing has begun. Refunds are generally limited to withdrawals made before consideration starts or cases where an application is rejected as invalid.
Submitting an application under the wrong route or with missing mandatory information can therefore result in financial loss.
Ongoing fee amendments
Visa fees and surcharge rates are amended through formal legislative mechanisms and published with implementation dates. Once a new fee takes effect, it applies to all applications submitted on or after that date.
Applicants should consider timing carefully where further increases are anticipated.
Section F: Electronic Travel Authorisation and Border System Changes
Travel to the UK is now subject to mandatory electronic verification before departure. Permission to board is determined by digital confirmation through Home Office systems rather than by physical documents alone. Carriers must confirm immigration status against the passport presented at check-in. Where confirmation is not received, boarding will be refused.
Phased introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme
The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme has been introduced in stages and expanded during 2024 and 2025. Eligible non-visa nationals are required to obtain an approved ETA before travelling to the UK unless they already hold valid UK immigration permission.
An approved ETA does not guarantee entry. It permits travel to the UK, after which normal border examination continues to apply. However, travel without an approved ETA where required results in refusal to board.
25 February 2026: carrier enforcement before departure
From 25 February 2026, carriers must refuse boarding where an ETA is required but not held, or where Home Office systems do not confirm valid permission linked to the passport presented. Permission checks that were previously resolved at the UK border are now conducted before departure. If the system does not return confirmation of valid leave, the passenger will not be permitted to travel. This applies equally to holders of digital status, including eVisas and status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Digital status and passport linkage
UK immigration status is recorded digitally and linked to the identity document held on the individual’s UKVI account. A renewed passport does not automatically update that record.
If a traveller presents a passport that is not linked to their digital status, the carrier may be unable to verify permission. The individual may hold valid leave in law, yet still be refused boarding because the system cannot confirm it.
Before travelling, individuals relying on digital status should confirm:
a. The passport number recorded in their UKVI account.
b. The expiry date of the linked document.
c. The nationality recorded on the system.
Failure to update these details is now a travel risk rather than a minor administrative oversight.
Existing visa holders and ETA exemption
Individuals who already hold valid UK immigration permission are exempt from the ETA requirement. However, exemption from ETA does not remove the need for electronic verification.
Carriers must still confirm status digitally before boarding. Where confirmation cannot be obtained, travel will not proceed, even if the traveller believes they hold valid leave.
Dual nationals and proof of status
Dual nationals and those with the Right of Abode may face particular difficulty if travelling on a non-British passport without the appropriate evidence of status.
British citizens cannot rely on an ETA as an alternative form of travel authorisation. A dual national travelling on a foreign passport must ensure that their British status can be electronically confirmed or travel with the appropriate documentary evidence. The refusal arises at check-in, not at the UK border.
Section G: Need Assistance?
If you are affected by any of the recent immigration rule changes outlined above, taking advice before submitting an application or travelling can reduce the risk of refusal, delay or unexpected cost.
If you have any questions, either as an applicant or an employer, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation to speak direct with one of our qualified UK immigration advisers.
Section H: New Immigration Rules UK FAQs
What are the latest new immigration rules UK changes in 2026?
The most significant confirmed changes include stricter pre-departure carrier checks from 25 February 2026, continued rollout and enforcement of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, higher Skilled Worker salary and skill thresholds introduced in 2024 and 2025, revised long residence absence rules and increases to visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants should always check the version of the Immigration Rules in force on the date of application.
When do the new immigration rules UK take effect?
Implementation dates vary. Some amendments take effect on a specified future date set out in a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. Others apply immediately once the relevant Rules come into force. Boarding enforcement changes linked to digital status take effect from 25 February 2026.
Do the new immigration rules UK affect Skilled Worker visas?
Yes. Since April 2024 and July 2025, Skilled Worker salary thresholds, skill levels and eligible occupation codes have been revised. Sponsors assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship need to rely on the version of Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations in force at the relevant date.
Have family visa income requirements changed?
The minimum income requirement for partner applications increased to £29,000 from 11 April 2024 for new applicants. Transitional provisions may apply to those who applied before that date. No further increase beyond £29,000 is currently in force.
Do the new immigration rules UK change settlement requirements?
Current settlement requirements remain in force unless formally amended. Recent changes have affected long residence absence calculations. Proposals for earned settlement reform have been consulted on but are not yet implemented. Applications are assessed under the Immigration Rules in force at the date of decision.
What is the Electronic Travel Authorisation and who needs one?
An Electronic Travel Authorisation is required for eligible non-visa nationals travelling to the UK who do not already hold valid UK immigration permission. The requirement has been introduced in phases and is fully enforced at carrier level from 25 February 2026.
Can I be refused boarding under the new immigration rules UK?
Yes. From 25 February 2026, carriers will refuse boarding where Home Office systems do not confirm valid permission linked to the passport presented or where an ETA is required but not held. Digital status must match the passport used for travel.
Have UK visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge increased?
Visa application fees increased in October 2023 with further adjustments during 2024. The Immigration Health Surcharge rose to £1,035 per person per year for most applicants from 6 February 2024, with a reduced rate of £776 for students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and children under 18.
Where can I check the current new immigration rules UK position?
The authoritative source is the Immigration Rules published on GOV.UK together with the relevant Appendices and Statements of Changes. Because amendments take effect on specific dates, applicants should verify the Rules in force at the time they submit their application.
Section I: Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Appendix Continuous Residence | The Immigration Rules appendix setting out how continuous residence is assessed, including how absences are calculated and which exceptions can apply. |
| Appendix D | Home Office sponsor record-keeping guidance setting out documents sponsors are expected to retain and produce during compliance activity. |
| Appendix FM-SE | The Immigration Rules appendix specifying the documentary evidence required to meet the financial requirement for family route partner applications. |
| Appendix Skilled Occupations | The Immigration Rules appendix listing eligible occupation codes for sponsored work routes and the associated skill and salary rules applied to each code. |
| Appendix Skilled Worker | The Immigration Rules appendix setting out the requirements for the Skilled Worker route, including minimum salary thresholds and route-specific conditions. |
| Carrier | An airline, ferry operator or rail provider responsible for checking travel permission before allowing a passenger to board for the UK. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | An electronic record assigned by a licensed sponsor to support a sponsored work visa application, containing role and salary details. |
| Continuous residence | A requirement for certain routes that limits absences from the UK within set periods and requires lawful residence to be maintained. |
| Digital status | UK immigration permission recorded electronically, accessed through a UKVI account rather than evidenced by a physical document. |
| eVisa | A digital record of UK immigration status that can be viewed and shared online, replacing certain physical immigration documents. |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | A digital travel permission required for eligible non-visa nationals before travelling to the UK, unless the traveller already holds UK immigration permission. |
| EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) | The scheme granting pre-settled or settled status to eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members living in the UK. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A fee paid by most visa applicants to access NHS services during their period of UK leave, charged per person and per year. |
| Immigration Salary List | A list of roles where modified salary calculations may apply under the Skilled Worker route, subject to specified conditions and dates. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent immigration status allowing a person to live and work in the UK without a time limit, subject to meeting settlement requirements. |
| Long residence | A settlement route based on ten years’ lawful residence in the UK, subject to absence limits and other eligibility criteria. |
| RQF level 6 | A qualification level broadly aligned with graduate-level roles, used in the immigration system to assess whether certain jobs meet the required skill threshold. |
| Statement of Changes | A formal document laid before Parliament which amends the Immigration Rules and sets out the effective dates for changes. |
| Transitional provisions | Rules that allow certain applicants to continue under earlier requirements where they applied before a change took effect or fall within a protected cohort. |
| UKVI account | The online UK Visas and Immigration account used to access and manage digital status and link immigration permission to a passport or identity document. |
