5 March 2026 Statement of Changes — Updates to the UK Immigration Rules

At a Glance

• Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia will now require a visit visa to travel to the UK and, from 5 March 2026, will no longer be eligible to enter using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
• Following the Court of Appeal’s decision in Kone, the Home Office has clarified when a dependent child can settle in the UK under paragraphs 297 and 298 of Part 8 of the Immigration Rules.
• Performers at permit free festivals are allowed to receive payment without needing a points-based visa. The list has been updated for 2026, and new festivals can now apply for inclusion.

On 5 March 2026, the UK Home Office published the first Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1691) of 2026.

We summarise some of the key developments below.

Visa Break

From 26 March 2026, the UK will refuse Student visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, as well as Skilled Worker visa applications from nationals of Afghanistan. Applications submitted before 26 March will not be affected.

The change follows a rise in asylum claims from individuals of these nationalities who entered the UK on visas. By the year ending September 2025, 38% (41,100) of asylum seekers had previously entered with valid documentation.

The measure aims to reduce pressure on the asylum system and address the increasing number of visa-linked asylum claims. It will also, in effect, close off most legal asylum routes for these nationalities.

Introduction of Visit Visa Requirements for Nicaragua and St Lucia

Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia will now require a visit visa to travel to the UK and, from 5 March 2026, will no longer be eligible to enter using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This allows applications to be assessed against the Immigration Rules before travel.

The change follows an increase in asylum claims from nationals of these countries. Between January 2022 and December 2025, 609 Nicaraguan nationals claimed asylum (83% at the border), and 360 St Lucian nationals claimed asylum (36% at the border).

A six-week transition period will be implemented until 16 April 2026, allowing travellers with confirmed bookings made before the announcement and a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel without a visa. Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia will also require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) when transiting airside through the UK.

Change Relating to Pay Periods in the Skilled Worker Route

The Skilled Worker route salary requirements are being updated so that workers must meet the required pay in each pay period, with permitted variations. This ensures UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) does not need to wait until a full 12 months of salary has been paid to address underpayment concerns, allowing sponsors to be notified early and issues remedied, or compliance action taken before significant impact on the worker.

Clarifying the Specific Circumstances in Which a Child Can Be Granted Settlement to Join a Relative in the UK

Following the Court of Appeal of England and Wales’ decision in Kone, the Home Office has clarified when a dependent child can settle in the UK under paragraphs 297 and 298 of Part 8 of the Immigration Rules:

• A child can settle when both parents are settled or are British citizens.
• If only one parent is settled, the child may settle only if that parent has sole responsibility or there are compelling circumstances.
• A child cannot settle if one parent is settled/British and the other has temporary permission.
• Children can now join a “close” relative in the UK, as defined in paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules.

Extension of the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) Scheme

Since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022, the UK has offered several visa schemes for Ukrainians and their families:

• Homes for Ukraine (HfU)
• Ukraine Family Scheme (UFS)
• Ukraine Extension Scheme (UES)
• Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE)

HfU remains open for Ukrainians applying from Ukraine. UFS closed in 2024, and UES closed in 2025. On 4 February 2025, the UPE scheme was introduced, allowing those already in the UK under either the UFS or UES scheme to stay for up to 18 months.

On 1 September 2025, the UPE scheme was extended by 24 months to provide eligible individuals with continued permission to stay. This extension helps reduce the need for new asylum applications and gives certainty while the conflict continues.

Additionally, the application window for extensions has been increased from 28 to 90 days before current permission expires, giving Ukrainians and their families more time to confirm their status.

Update to the Permit Free Festival List

The permit free festival (PFF) list highlights festivals that are recognized for contributing to the UK’s cultural heritage. While visitors generally cannot be paid for activities in the UK, performers at PFFs are allowed to receive payment without needing a points-based visa.

The list has been updated for 2026, and new festivals can now apply for inclusion. The Immigration Rules have been amended to reflect these updates.

Global Business Mobility — Service Supplier: Changes for Indian Nationals

The UK is updating the Immigration Rules to implement its commitments under the India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Indian service suppliers in the contractual service supplier or independent categories will be allowed to enter the UK for up to 12 months to provide services covered by the agreement.

These changes must be in place before the agreement comes into force, expected at the end of March 2026.

GBM Secondment Worker — Reduced Overseas Employment Requirement

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) Secondment Worker route allows overseas employers who have a high-value contract or investment with a UK organisation, worth at least £50 million, to send staff to the UK temporarily. The minimum required overseas employment period is being reduced from 12 to six months to give businesses more flexibility while ensuring workers are genuinely employed.

Youth Mobility Scheme: Changes to Partner Country Quotas for 2026

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is a UK visa program that permits young people from participating countries to live, work, and travel in the UK for up to two years. It is designed to give participants work experience and cultural exchange opportunities, with a limited number of places available each year.

The maximum number of places available in 2026 for nationals or passport holders from countries participating in the YMS is as follows:

• Andorra — 100 places
• Australia — 38,500 places
• Canada — 10,000 places
• Hong Kong — 1,000 places
• Iceland — 1,000 places
• India — 3,000 places
• Japan — 6,000 places
• Monaco — 1,000 places
• New Zealand — 8,000 places
• Republic of Korea — 5,000 places
• San Marino — 1,000 places
• Taiwan — 1,000 places
• Uruguay — 500 places

Change to English Language Requirements

The UK is raising the English language requirement for settlement from B1 to B2 level for many visa routes, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and family routes. This change, coming into force on 26 March 2027, is meant to help people integrate better; and the timing of its implementation in approximately one year gives current applicants time to meet the new standard.

Immigration Rules Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas)

The BN(O) route is being expanded to allow adult children of BN(O) status holders who were aged 18 or under on 1 July 1997 to apply, making family eligibility fairer. The rules also simplify terms, clarify required forms, and let applicants use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to verify identity, even if their BN(O) or Hong Kong passports are within five years of expiration.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa permits talented people in science, digital technology, and the arts to work in the UK. The route is being expanded to include design roles, and the fast-track option for researchers and academics is being simplified, making it easier for eligible PhD-level staff to apply without going through the full peer review process.

For More Information

For further information, you may contact the authors.