06/03/2026
๐จ New changes to UK immigration rules
๐ On March 5, further changes to Immigration Rules were published. Below is the most important in simple words.
Asylum and PMH (settlement - ILR).
๐If you have already received or applied for protection by March 1, 2026, you remain eligible to apply for an IMR (ILR) in 5 years under Appendix Settlement Protection. This confirms that new reforms donโt change the rules for those already in the system. All those who apply for protection status from March 2, 2026, will receive immigration status for 30 months (2.5 years).
๐ Paragraph 360 has also been updated - rules on the right of asylum seekers to work. Now access to work will be based on the list of professions in Appendix Skilled Occupations, which are at the RQF level 6 and above (i.e. more skilled positions).
๐A new basis is introduced for refusing the EU Settlement Scheme if it is found that a person fraudulently helped another person obtain immigration status, for example through a fictitious family basis.
๐The now overdue Biometric Residence Card can be used as identity confirmation for visa applications if its validity expired up to 60 months ago (previously it was 18 months). This will allow many applicants to continue to submit applications online, without recording a biometrics.
๐ Finance and housing requirements are lifted for dependent children along the Victims of Domestic Violence route; and English requirements and the Life in the UK test for children over 18.
๐ For a number of immigration routes, the level of English for ILR increases from B1 to B2. Changes will affect the routes, including:
โ๏ธSkilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up, UK Ancestry, Private Life, Long Residence and others. โ ๏ธ Important: these requirements will only come into effect on March 26, 2027 to give applicants time to prepare.
๐Now the basis for deportation can be not only an actual prison term of 12 months, but also a suspended sentence of 12 months or more. The change takes effect on March 22, 2026.
๐ Immigration rules are continuing to change rapidly, so it's important to check regularly how new changes may affect your status in the UK.
