New Asylum Rules UK: Temporary Refugee Status Replaces 5 Year Grant
Temporary Refugee Protection Rules Now in Force The Home Office has confirmed that the UK has moved away from the standard five-year grant of refugee leave for new asylum claims. With effect from 2 March 2026, adults and accompanied children who claim asylum from that date, and who are subsequently granted protection, will […]
Employees Stranded Abroad Due To Middle East Conflict: HR Issues
Employees Stranded Abroad: Key Issues for HR Geopolitical events or sudden border closures can leave employees unable to return to the UK as planned. When this happens, HR teams will be facing several overlapping issues involving employment rights, immigration compliance, tax exposure and employee welfare. The correct response often depends on the cause […]
UK Work Visa Numbers Plummet: Latest Data
UK Work Visa Numbers Fall to Lowest Levels Since 2021 The latest UK work visa statistics published by the Home Office confirm that recruitment from overseas in 2025 has become slower, more selective and more heavily scrutinised than during the post-pandemic surge. A total of 168,471 work visas were granted to main applicants […]
Employment Case Law Update February 2026
Religion or belief discrimination Ngole v Touchstone Leeds (EAT) Mr Ngole applied for a social work position with Touchstone Leeds and received a conditional offer of employment. The organisation later became aware of online reporting reproducing historic Facebook posts in which he had expressed the orthodox Christian view that homosexuality is sinful. After […]
UK Enforces Digital Permission to Travel under ETA Scheme
ETA Rules from 25 February 2026 From 25 February 2026, expanded Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) enforcement is operating alongside strengthened carrier verification systems. Carriers transporting passengers to the UK by air, sea or rail are expected to verify, through automated permission checks, that a passenger holds the required permission or exemption before departure. […]
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 […]
Employment Rights Act: 18 Feb 2026 Reforms Now Live
Industrial Action Ballot Changes The framework governing industrial action ballots has been revised to remove several procedural obstacles that previously created scope for technical challenge. Earlier regimes often allowed employers to contest strike action on narrow defects in ballot process or notice compliance. The current position reduces the likelihood of industrial action being […]