The Home Secretary (UK) has made several changes to immigration rules, as set out in the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, 3 September 2026. These changes include a series of reforms, including but not limited to the Part Suitability, work, study, visitor, and settlement routes. Most of these changes will take effect from 8 October 2026.

We explain some of the key changes here. 

1. A new SUI 11.4(e) is being added to Part Suitability 

A new SUI 11.4(e) has been added to Part Suitability. It adds a new type of previous immigration-law breach that can potentially lead to refusal. This is a discretionary ground of refusal which previously applied only to people applying for entry clearance to the UK. It is now being extended to people applying for leave within the UK. This new provision says that an applicant will be treated as having breached immigration laws if they acted to frustrate immigration controls as set out in SUI 11.7.  This means the Home Office can treat certain behaviour intended to prevent, delay or undermine immigration control as an immigration breach.

2. Supporting Skilled Workers who are victims of modern slavery

The Skilled Worker route allows migrant to work in a specific, sponsored job. Normally, a Skilled Worker is tied to the sponsored job for which they were granted permission. They cannot simply start working for another employer or take unrelated employment. 

The new SW 18.3 to the Appendix Skilled Worker creates an exception for qualifying victims of modern slavery. It provides that Skilled Workers who:

1. have been referred into the NRM (National Referral Mechanism); 

2. have received a positive Conclusive Grounds decision; and 

3. have received that decision during their most recent permission period, 

may have the normal work restrictions varied to allow them to work for any employer.

This change will take effect from 8 October 2026.

3. Changes to the EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme)

• If a person holds PSS (pre-settled status) under the EUSS, their PSS may be removed if they no longer fulfil the eligibility requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme and the Home Office considers that it is proportionate to remove their pre-settled status on that basis. 

• An EUSS applicant may currently use a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) as evidence of their identity and nationality (which may have expired by up to 18 months). However, almost all BRPs expired by 31 December 2024, and therefore the option of using a BRP is being removed from 9 December 2026. From this date, EUSS applicants will no longer be able to use an expired BRP.

• The new rules are in place to incorporate the Ayoola [2025] judgment into the Immigration Rules. This means a qualifying child will not lose their EUSS rights simply because their relationship with the EU citizen parent has changed, if they still need the right of residence to complete their education in the UK. 

• The EUSS travel permit route (which enabled an EUSS status holder to return to the UK on a new passport) and the EUSS AR (Administrative Review) routes (which closed to any new applications in April 2024) are also being removed.

4. Changes to the continuous residence requirement for ILR for children on Hong Kong BN (O)

From 8 October 2026, eligible dependent children on the Hong Kong BN (O) route do not have to show that they have spent 5 continuous years in the UK before qualifying for settlement.

5. Changes to Appendix Student and Appendix Child Student for Erasmus+ programme

A number of amendments have been made to the Student and Child Student routes to facilitate the UK's participation in Erasmus+ from 2027. The changes will generally take effect on 8 October 2026.

Students undertaking a course as part of the Erasmus+ programme can now be sponsored under the Student route by a student sponsor participating in the scheme even where the course does not lead to an approved qualification.

The Student and Child Student routes are being amended to allow Erasmus+ participants to study at RQF level 2 and above (SCQF level 5 and above in Scotland).  This represents a change from the current Student and Child Student route requirements, which generally require study at a higher minimum level.

The sponsor rules are also being relaxed where an Erasmus+ course includes a work placement. State-funded schools and academies will also be eligible to hold student sponsor licences to be able to sponsor Erasmus+ students.

These changes are designed to support the UK's rejoining of Erasmus+ in 2027, rather than creating a new visa route.

6. Changes to visitor route for Erasmus+ programme

The Visitor route is being widened to support the UK's participation in the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. The relevant Immigration Rules changes are due to take effect on 8 October 2026.

• Under the amended rules, eligible Erasmus+ participants will be able to undertake short-term study placements lasting up to 6 months at state-funded schools and academies in the UK, subject to the applicable Visitor route requirements.

• If a person is visiting the UK to participate in the Erasmus+ program, they will be able to receive or provide training, take courses, undertake traineeships, and undertake training and coaching assignments for sports organisations.

Additionally, the GAE (Government Authorised Exchange) route will be expanded to cover certain Erasmus+ work placements and internships. 

7. Changes to permitted activities for visitors

From 8 October 2026, employees of overseas organisations/companies coming to the UK as visitors to receive training related to permitted work will no longer be required to prove that the relevant training is not available in their home country. 

From this date, Artists, entertainers and musicians will be allowed to attend rehearsals as visitors, while eligible entertainment staff will be allowed to provide support for relevant permitted activities.

8. Changes to victims of domestic abuse 

From 8 October 2026, adult children who have or previously had qualifying permission covered by the rule may be able to apply for ILR (also known as “settlement”) where their permission was on the basis of their relationship with a parent or their parent's partner, and that relationship has permanently broken down due to domestic violence or abuse.

9. Changes to student maintenance requirement

From 30 November 2026, the maintenance amount requirement under the Student route will increase to: 

Studying in London: £1,570 per month up to a maximum of nine months

Studying outside London: £1,203 per month up to a maximum of nine months

Those who made applications before this date will continue to have their application decided under the Rules in force before this date.

Several other changes will take place as published in the Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, 3 September 2026.

How can Visa and Migration Ltd. Help?

The Home Office has been making changes to the immigration rules across several routes in recent years, including changes published on 3 September 2026. Therefore, it is essential for you to seek an immigration lawyer’s advice before applying for a UK visa.

Our role as an immigration agency is to help you with the following:

• Explain the latest changes relevant to your requirements
• Help you meet the eligibility requirements accordingly
• Help you gather documents to show you meet the specific requirements applicable on the date of your application
• Apply on your behalf
• Follow up with the Home Office until a decision on your application is given.

For a quick consultation and expert advice, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com