Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules
The Home Office have announced changes to the immigration rules. There are many changes including:
1. English language requirement increases to B2 (4 facet) for Skilled Workers, Scale Up and High Potential Individuals. This applies to new applicants from 8 January 2026.
2. Graduate leave reduced to 18 months. This applies to new applications from 1 January 2027. PhD students still get 3 years.
3. Part 9 grounds for refusal has been replaced by Part Suitability. The overstaying exemptions (previously 39E) have been moved into Part Suitability.
4. Appendix FM and Private life will no longer have bespoke Suitability requirements. They will need to meet the broader suitability requirements in Part Suitability. This will begin on 11 November 2025. Applications before that will be under the old rules.
New Home Office fees
Like every year the Home Office increased their at the beginning of April. The good news is the increases weren’t as bad as they usually are, for example an application for leave to remain on the basis of family life has increased from £993 to £1,033. You can see the full details here.