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, 30 November and 9 December 2026.
Skilled Workers who are victims of modern slavery
From 8 October 2026, Skilled Workers who have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism and receive a positive Conclusive Grounds decision during their most recent period of permission may have their visa conditions varied to allow them to work for any employer.
They will also be permitted to undertake self-employment and voluntary work, although work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach will remain prohibited. The measure is intended to reduce the dependency of identified victims of modern slavery on the employer that originally sponsored them.
Erasmus+ and education routes
A substantial group of amendments supports the UK’s return to the Erasmus+ programme from 2027.
Changes to the Visitor, Student and Child Student Rules will allow qualifying Erasmus+ participants to undertake a wider range of study, training, traineeships, job shadowing and other programme activities in the UK.
State-funded schools and academies will be able to host qualifying Erasmus+ participants under the Visitor route for short-term study placements of up to six months. Student sponsors participating in Erasmus+ will also benefit from specific exemptions relating to course levels, approved qualifications and work placements.
Erasmus+ is also being added to the Government Authorised Exchange schemes for eligible traineeships, teaching placements and training assignments.
Changes to Visitor permitted activities
The Visitor Rules are being amended separately to widen and clarify certain permitted activities.
Visitors undertaking qualifying training will no longer have to demonstrate that the training is unavailable in their home country. Artists, entertainers and musicians will expressly be permitted to attend rehearsals, while qualifying entertainment staff will be permitted to support relevant permitted activities.
These changes take effect from 8 October 2026.
Student maintenance requirement increases
From 30 November 2026, the Student route maintenance requirement will increase to:
- £1,570 per month for students studying in London
- £1,203 per month for students studying outside London
Funds are generally required for each month of the course, up to a maximum of nine months. The maximum accommodation payment that can be offset against the maintenance requirement will also rise to £1,570.
Applications made before 30 November 2026 will continue to be decided under the Rules in force on 29 November 2026.
EU Settlement Scheme
Several amendments are being made to the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Rules will provide for certain pre-settled status holders who cease to meet the normal eligibility requirements to remain within the scheme where removal of their status would not be proportionate. The deadline applicable to first-time joining family members is also being revised, generally to three months from their latest lawful entry to the UK.
Further changes implement the Court of Appeal decision in Ayoola concerning the rights of certain children in education and their primary carers. The EUSS travel permit route and the now-closed EUSS administrative review provisions are also being removed.
A separate change taking effect on 9 December 2026 removes the remaining provision allowing an expired biometric residence permit to be relied on as evidence of identity and nationality for an EUSS application.
Hong Kong BN(O) settlement
Dependent children on the Hong Kong BN(O) route will no longer have to complete their own five-year continuous residence period before qualifying for settlement.
From 8 October 2026, an eligible child who is under 18 at the date of application will be able to settle with their parents where the parents meet the relevant settlement requirements.
Victims of domestic abuse
Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse is being extended to adult dependent children.
From 8 October 2026, an adult child who holds or previously held qualifying permission may be able to apply for settlement where their relationship with their parent or their parent’s partner has permanently broken down because of domestic abuse.
Minister of Religion and Religious Worker routes
Changes taking effect on 29 October 2026 affect both the T2 Minister of Religion and Temporary Work – Religious Worker routes.
The Minister of Religion amendments include revised provisions for members of religious orders, changes to maintenance requirements in cases where National Minimum Wage rules do not apply and removal of the previous overall limit on time spent in the route.
For Religious Workers, the existing resident labour consideration is replaced with revised requirements concerning supernumerary roles, membership of religious orders or previous religious duties with an affiliated overseas organisation.
When do the changes take effect?
The start dates are staggered:
- 8 October 2026: most changes, including Visitor, Erasmus+, EUSS, Skilled Worker, BN(O) and Victim of Domestic Abuse provisions
- 29 October 2026: Minister of Religion and Religious Worker changes
- 30 November 2026: increased Student maintenance requirements
- 9 December 2026: EUSS biometric residence permit change
Where the Statement contains transitional provisions, applications made before the relevant commencement date will generally continue to be decided under the Rules in force immediately before that date.
Individuals, employers and sponsors affected by the changes should therefore distinguish between the Rules currently in force and provisions announced in HC 584 that have not yet commenced.
DMS Perspective
HC 584 may contain relatively few headline reforms, but smaller technical amendments can have a direct impact on individual cases, making it just as important to take advice on your specific circumstances against the relevant, applicable rules, and to monitor routine Statements of Changes as well as the government’s wider immigration reforms.
Need Assistance?
DavidsonMorris advises employers and individuals on the practical impact of changes to the Immigration Rules. For advice on a current or planned application, contact us to arrange a fixed-fee telephone consultation to speak directly with one of our specialist UK immigration advisers.
View the full Statement of Changes here >>
