UK – China Visa-Free Travel Rules 2026
UK nationals travelling to China China has introduced a unilateral visa-free entry concession for nationals of certain countries, including the UK. UK passport holders can now enter China without applying for a visa in advance for short-term visits, subject to defined purposes and a limited permitted stay. The change sits entirely within China’s […]
Certificate of Entitlement 2026: Right of Abode for UK Entry
Section A: Role of the Certificate of Entitlement UK A Certificate of Entitlement is official evidence of the holder’s right of abode in the UK for immigration control purposes. From 26 February 2026, Certificates of Entitlement are issued as a digital record accessed through a UKVI account, and the holder’s passport details are […]
SSP Rate 2026: Guide for Employers
Section A: SSP Rate in 2026 Statutory Sick Pay is the legal baseline for sick pay in the UK, but for employers it is rarely just a payroll figure. SSP sits at the point where pay, absence management and legal risk meet. Errors tend to surface not because the rules are unknown, but […]
Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot: 2026 Dates
Who the February 2026 ballot applies to The February 2026 Youth Mobility ballot is open only to Hong Kong SAR Chinese passport holders and Taiwanese nationals aged between 18 and 30. Age is assessed at the date you submit your visa application, not the date you enter the ballot. Applicants who turn 31 […]
Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) Visa Guide 2026
Section A: What is the Adult Dependent Relative Visa? The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) route is part of the UK’s family immigration framework. It allows a British citizen or a person who is settled in the UK to sponsor an adult family member who requires long-term personal care as a result of age, […]
Employment Case Law Update January 2026
Employment Rights Act 2025: January 2026 update By January 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 was on the statute book, but most substantive reforms had not yet come into force and remained subject to commencement regulations, secondary legislation and statutory Codes. Some clarity had emerged on changes due to take effect in early […]
Trade Union Law Changes from 18 February 2026
Changes to trade union rules under the Employment Rights Act 2025 The Employment Rights Act 2025 removes a number of statutory constraints that previously limited lawful industrial action. Most significantly, it repeals the minimum service level regime introduced under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023. From 18 February 2026, employers in affected […]
SMS Level 1 User: Role & Responsibilities
Section A: What is an SMS Level 1 User? An SMS Level 1 User is an individual authorised by a sponsor licence holder to carry out operational sponsorship tasks through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The role sits at the centre of day-to-day licence administration and is the mechanism through which most sponsor […]
Statutory & Minimum Wage Rates April 2026
April 2026 statutory and wage rates at a glance Payment or rate Current rate Rate from April 2026 Effective date Statutory Sick Pay £118.75 per week £123.25 per week 6 April 2026 Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, parental bereavement, neonatal care pay and maternity allowance £187.18 per week £194.32 per week […]
Home Office Warning to EU Settlement Scheme Status Holders
Home Office warning The Home Office is advising all EU Settlement Scheme status holders to ensure that their UKVI account details are accurate and up to date. This includes checking that the passport or identity document linked to their digital status is the same document they intend to use for travel. The warning […]