Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691 was published by the UK Home Office on 5 March 2026 in continuation of its reforms to the UK immigration system. These reforms affect UK work visas, the Global Talent visa, the UPE (Ukraine Permission Extension) Scheme, settlement requirements, English-language rules, Criminality provisions, and asylum policy across the immigration system.

1. Introduction of the “Visa Brake” 

The UK government has implemented a policy known as the “visa brake.” Under this measure, the Home Office has the authority to refuse visa applications from particular nationalities on certain UK visa routes when there is evidence that a large number of individuals who were granted visas later submit asylum claims after arriving in the UK.

Who is affected

This restriction has been immediately applied to Student visa applications submitted from outside the UK by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, as well as to work visa applications made outside the UK by Afghan nationals.

Applicants from these four countries who apply for other categories of UK visas are not affected by this restriction, and their applications will continue to be processed in the usual way.

The visa brake will come into force on 26 March 2026. 

2. Refugee and Humanitarian protection

The reforms significantly restructure the UK asylum protection model. Previously, refugees typically received 5 years’ leave to remain before applying for settlement.

The new policy has halved the refugee protection to 30 months (2.5 years). The cases will be reviewed every 30 months, and refugees may be required to return if their home country becomes safe.

This represents one of the largest asylum system shifts in decades.

3. Updated Visit Visa requirements

The UK has introduced the requirement for citizens of Nicaragua and Saint Lucia to obtain a visit visa before travelling to the UK for short visits.

Previously, nationals of these 2 countries could usually enter the UK as visitors without having to apply for a visa in advance (visa-free travel). They can no longer use ETA to travel to the UK.

After this change was introduced by the UK Home Office, they must now apply for and obtain a UK Visitor visa (entry clearance) before travelling, and obtain approval from UK immigration authorities before entry. 

This measure has been taken following a significant number of nationals of these 2 countries who travelled to the UK since 2022, purporting to visit but who have then claimed asylum at the UK border on arrival or after entry.

4. Skilled Worker pay periods

The UK government is making changes to the salary requirements on the Skilled Worker route so that a worker must be paid the full required salary in each pay period (for example, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) by their sponsors within the permitted flexibilities. 

This change allows UKVI to identify and address underpayment earlier without the need to wait until a full year of salary has been paid, where there are concerns about underpayment. The change will help improve transparency in salary calculations, prevent manipulation of pay structures by sponsors, and ensure sponsored workers are genuinely paid at or above the required salary level. UKVI will be able to protect worker welfare and enable prompt explanation, correction, or take compliance action before an individual is significantly impacted.

5. Global Talent

The Global Talent visa is being expanded to include a new endorsement pathway for professionals in the design sector. This will allow internationally recognised designers to apply under the Global Talent route. 

The new pathway allows design professionals to apply if they can demonstrate they are exceptional talent or exceptional promise in design and have international recognition for their design work through evidence such as international awards, exhibitions, or publications, or media recognition or professional appearances.

The Global Talent visa is also being simplified for academic and research appointments, with clearer and consistent criteria agreed with the National Academies who act as endorsing bodies for this pathway. PhD-level roles will qualify for the fast-track option if they require leadership in academic, research, or innovation projects, or where research or innovation is a primary function of the role and the role is at an agreed research organisation (i.e., a recognised UK university, research institute, or lab).

These changes are expected to take effect from 8?April?2026.

6. Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme

The UPE route allows Ukrainian nationals and certain eligible family members who are already in the UK under previous Ukraine-related visa schemes (such as Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme, or the former Ukraine Extension Scheme) to apply for additional permission to stay in the UK for a further period after their original visas expire. Under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, successful applicants receive permission to stay for up to 18 months with full rights to work, study, and access healthcare and benefits.

The recent changes to the UPE Scheme make it easier for Ukrainians to extend their stay in the UK by a further 24 months, meaning the total period they can stay in the UK is up to 3½ years.

People will be able to make an application for permission to stay up to 90 days before the current permission expires, instead of the current 28 days, keeping all their rights to work, study, and access services the same.

This applies both to those extending their permission and to first-time applicants.

Applying within 90 days before the current permission expires does not reduce the total length of permission one has been granted. Any remaining permissions on the current status of the person will be added to the new grant.

7. English language requirements

The March 2026 changes confirm stricter English-language thresholds for migrants seeking settlement on or after 26 March 2027. Settlement or ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) will require CEFR B2 level English rather than the current CEFR B1 level threshold.

The change will apply to migrants across a wide range of immigration routes, such as Skilled Worker or Family routes. 

This aims to strengthen integration standards for permanent residence.

8. Criminality provisions

Previously, an immigration application for permission to enter or stay had to be automatically refused or cancelled if the applicant had received a custodial prison sentence of 12 months or more.

The new rule expands this ground for mandatory refusal or cancellation to include suspended sentences of 12 months or more.

This change aligns immigration decision-making under the sentencing framework established by the Sentencing Act 2026 and deportation powers, strengthening public protection and ensuring a consistent approach to foreign national offending.

Changes introduced on 25 – 26 February

Also, other major changes were introduced from 25-26 February 2026, including the strict enforcement of ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), Visitor Visa applicants now receive eVisas, and the CoE (Certificate of Entitlement) to the Right of Abode.

1. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) strictly enforced 

From 25 February, non-visa nationals will be barred from entering the UK without an ETA. Carriers will prevent travellers without an ETA from boarding even if they are otherwise eligible. Those who do not need a UK visa for short stays in the UK and who do not have a valid UK immigration status must apply for and obtain an ETA before travelling. An ETA - a digital permission is required for those visiting the UK and for those taking connecting flights where they go through UK passport control.

British and Irish citizens, including dual citizens, do not need an ETA to travel to the UK, but they should present either a valid British passport or a CoE (Certificate of Entitlement) when travelling to the UK. This change is in line with the approach taken by Australia, the US, and Canada. Carriers, at their discretion, may accept some expired British passports as alternative documentation.

2. UK Visitor Visa applicants now get eVisas

From 25 February 2026, most visa nationals applying for a UK Visitor Visa will get an eVisa only (a digital record of one's immigration status), rather than the physical visa vignette stickers previously issued. These changes streamline the process as the UK visitor visa applicants need to visit the VAC (Visa Application Centre) only once to confirm their identity (submit biometrics) and collect their passport on the day of their appointment. The applicants will be delivered the decisions by email, and people who are granted a visa must set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

Existing UK visit visa holders should also create a UKVI account if they have not already created one. Any person who has since obtained a new passport must update their new passport details in their UKVI account. 

A person may still use a valid physical visa vignette or wet-ink stamp, but if they have changed their passport, they must carry both passports and present them to the carrier at check-in.

3. Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (CoE)

A Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode (CoE) in the UK is an official endorsement placed in a non-British passport confirming that the holder has the Right of Abode in the UK with the right to live, work, and enter the UK without immigration restrictions.

Earlier It was a physical vignette (sticker) placed inside a CoE holder’s passport. However, from 26 February 2026, CoE (Certificates of Entitlement) have replaced the vignette (sticker) and are now issued in digital format. This means one needs to apply for a certificate only once, as they will not expire with the holder’s passport. Existing CoE holders with a physical vignette (sticker) in their passport will also be issued a digital CoE and notified where possible.

Key Takeaways

The UK continues to take measures it started following the White Paper released on 12 May 2025, with the objective to curb net inward migration and strengthening UK border security. Most recent changes were introduced on 5 March 2026 and will come into effect between March and April this year. 

Any foreign national looking to apply for a UK visa, extension, or settlement must check the most up-to-date visa-specific rules to avoid refusals and delays.