UKVI Expands Daily Priority Capacity for Sponsor Change Requests
UKVI Increases Daily Sponsor Change of Circumstances Priority Service Capacity UKVI has increased the daily allocation for its post-licence priority change of circumstances service. Sponsors can now access a minimum of 120 priority requests each working day, up from the previous lower threshold of 100 daily slots. Under the previous allocation, the daily […]
Sham Visa Marriages: Impact on Genuine Couples
Reports of Sham Visa Marriages Being Promoted in Social Media Groups Media reports indicate that individuals are attempting to use informal online networks, including Facebook groups, to arrange marriages for immigration purposes. In some cases, posts explicitly refer to “contract marriages” or requests for British citizens willing to marry in exchange for immigration […]
Sponsor Action Required: UKVI Urgent Information Requests
Section A: UKVI Issuing Urgent Sponsor Compliance Requests UKVI is contacting sponsor licence holders by email, under the subject ‘Sponsor Action Required’, requesting detailed payroll and employment information relating to sponsored workers. These requests require a substantive response within a short timeframe and include an explicit warning that failure to respond may result […]
Cost Savings of Proposed Earned Settlement: £600m Not £10bn
Earned Settlement Savings Lower Analysis of government data indicates that the projected fiscal savings associated with the proposed earned settlement reforms are materially lower than initially suggested. While ministers have referenced a £10 billion figure in support of extending the route to indefinite leave to remain, underlying data from the Migration Advisory Committee […]
Changes to Sponsor Right to Work Checks: March & April 2026
Right to Work Duties Expanded in Sponsor Guidance Recent updates to Home Office sponsor guidance in March and April 2026 have changed sponsor licence holders’ right to work responsibilities. While the underlying statutory framework under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 has not been amended, (as yet at least), the sponsor guidance […]
EU Settlement Scheme Automated Grants & Removals Clarified
Changes to EU Settlement Scheme Status Checks The Home Office is refining its automated processes to assess whether individuals with pre-settled status remain resident in the UK. The system now draws on tax and benefits data, alongside travel information, to identify whether there is sufficient evidence of UK-based activity. As part of this, […]
Further 24-Month Extensionfor Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme
Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme: Further 24-Month Extension Introduced The Home Office has introduced a further extension under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, allowing eligible individuals to apply for an additional 24 months’ leave from 8 April 2026. It means that individuals can now hold permission under the scheme for up to three and […]
UK Visa Fees 2026: Full Costs & April Increases
Section A: UK Visa Fee Increases April 2026 Most UK visa fees increased from 8 April 2026, affecting applications across work, study and settlement routes. Skilled Worker visa fees rose for both overseas and in-country applications, with higher charges applying depending on the length of sponsorship. Student visa fees increased from £524 to […]
Tribunal Compensation Cap Increases from 6 April 2026
Employment Tribunal Compensation Caps from 6 April 2026 The government has confirmed the annual uprating of statutory compensation limits under the Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2026. The changes take effect for dismissals where the effective date of termination falls on or after 6 April 2026. The maximum compensatory award for unfair […]
SSP 2026: Increase from 6 April
How much is SSP 2026 a week? From 6 April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay rate (SSP) increases to £123.25 per week. The £123.25 figure is the maximum weekly amount payable. SSP is calculated at 80% of the employee’s Average Weekly Earnings, subject to a maximum equal to the statutory weekly rate. This means […]