As of 8 October 2026, nine significant changes to UK immigration law have come into effect. They affect visa application requirements, working conditions and permanent settlement, as well as protection for certain categories of migrants.

Tightened checks and revised procedures

The immigration authority has toughened requirements for checking previous violations. Attempts to evade immigration controls in the past can now negatively affect the consideration of future visa applications.

Simultaneously, changes have been made under Section 3C, which concerns fee waiver refusals and document submission deadlines. This makes preparation and timely submission of correct documentation critically important.

Administrative review procedures have been revised. Administrative review provisions have been abolished following the previously announced closure of this appeals route, including for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Relief for BNO families and worker protection

Significant relief has been provided for British National Overseas citizens from Hong Kong. Dependent children who are eligible can obtain permanent settlement with their parents without needing to serve a separate residence period.

New protection has been introduced for highly paid workers. People officially recognised as victims of modern slavery now have the right to work for another employer without automatically losing their existing immigration permission.

Domestic abuse protection rules have been expanded. Adult dependent children experiencing domestic abuse can now apply for additional immigration protection.

New opportunities for students and fees

Erasmus Plus programme opportunities have been expanded. New provisions supporting European educational exchanges and internships have been introduced. This is connected to the UK’s return to the Erasmus Plus programme in 2027.

A new schedule of visa fees for October has been published. While many visa and settlement fees have remained unchanged, exceptions and exemptions have been introduced. In particular, certain families facing removal can submit human rights applications without an additional visa fee.

It’s worth remembering that not all changes come into effect at the same time. Some applications continue to be protected by previous rules.

What to remember

The reforms affect many categories: from workers to students and families seeking permanent settlement. It is important to understand which changes apply to your situation.

It is not enough to know just about the changes themselves — you need to take into account the effective dates of each one. This can significantly impact the timing of your application and help you choose the best route for your case.