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Asylum Seekers

• Asylum applications lodged on or after 02 March 2026 will receive 30 months of permission instead of the previous 5 years.
• A new rule will also allow the Home Office to publicly confirm that someone has made an asylum claim if they believe it is in the public interest. For example, in situations where someone is charged with a serious crime.

Visa National List

Nicaragua and St Lucia added to Visa National list from 3pm 05/03/2026. This means they must obtain visa/entry clearance before travelling to the UK for any purpose, including as a visitor.

Temporary protection in place for those who have confirmed booking and ETA granted on or before 3pm on 05 March 2026 as long as they arrive no later than 3pm on 16 April 2026.

Part Suitability Grounds

Changes are being made to when a visa can be refused because of a criminal history. From 26 March 2026, a visa can be refused if they have a suspended sentence for 12 months or more, not only if a person has received a custodial sentence/sent to prison.

Only applies to convictions after 22 March 2026 and implemented from that date.

Visa Brake

Visa applications submitted outside the UK on or after 26/03/2026 by nationals of Afghanistan, Sudan, Cameroon and Myanmar will be refused, irrespective of when the CAS was assigned. Read our additional article on this published on 09 March 2026.

Right to work - asylum seekers

From 26 March 2026 asylum seekers will only be allowed to work in jobs listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations, and only if the job is at RQF Level 6 or higher (degree‑level roles).

Validity requirements for all visa applications

For visa applications submitted in the UK from 8 April onwards, the rules about proving your identity have changed.

Instead of applicants having to provide proof of identity each time they apply, the rule now says they must have provided it.

This means that if you have already proved your identity in a previous application, you may be able to reuse that earlier proof and won’t need to submit it again when submitting a new application in the UK. This particularly helps those who previously had to attend an appointment at a service centre to prove their identity.

EUSS applicants

• EUSS applicants can be refused for helping someone commit immigration fraud.
• Must have valid EUSS status on the date of application.
• BRP cards can be used as proof of identity for up to 5 years instead of 18 months.
• New evidence requirements for family member applications.

Ukraine extension scheme

This has been extended for another 24 months.

Also, right now, people on this scheme can only apply for an extension no earlier than 28 days before their current permission ends. This rule is changing. From now on, they will be allowed to apply up to 90 days before their permission expires.

Global Talent Route

A new Global Talent pathway is being created for people who work in design. To qualify, applicants must show they are recognised for exceptional talent or promise, have been actively involved in professional design work, and have recent experience in the field. Those claiming exceptional talent need a strong track record in at least two countries, while those showing promise should be early‑career with a growing track record.

The rules also simplify the fast‑track route for academic and research jobs endorsed by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, and Royal Society. The new rules make it clearer which roles qualify and reduce the evidence required. The fast‑track route will now cover all PhD‑level roles in approved UK universities or research institutes where research or innovation is a key part of the job.

English Language Requirements - settlement applications

The Home Office is raising the English level needed for settlement applications from B1 to B2. This applies to almost all visa categories.

It will only apply to settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Anyone applying before that date can still use the B1 requirement.