24.04.2026 - The adequate maintenance and accommodation requirement
Several immigration routes require applicants to show that they can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds. This is a separate financial test from the minimum income requirement that applies to most spouse and partner visa applications. It applies to certain family applications under Appendix FM, but also to other routes including the UK ancestry visa.
Unlike the minimum income threshold, adequate maintenance has no fixed threshold. It is a fact-specific test that depends on the size of the family and their housing costs. Although the require...
15.04.2026 - Changes to sponsor right to work checks
On 6 March 2026, the Home Office updated its guidance for sponsors to include new duties around right to work checks. The changes appeared to extend the duty to conduct right to work checks beyond sponsored workers, potentially capturing anyone ‘engaged’ by the sponsor. ‘Engaged’ was not defined.
A further change on 8 April has clarified this to mean ‘direct’ engagement, but confusion remains. The guidance now contradicts itself in places and the grounds for revocation have been expanded in a way that means sponsors could be penalised even where they have done everything right.
What ch...
01.04.2026 - FCA’s new cryptoasset regime
We are pleased to share our latest bulletin on the FCA’s new cryptoasset regime.
The bulletin highlights the key dates every cryptoasset firm & enthusiast should now be working towards, including:
- July 2026 – the FCA’s Pre-Application Support Service (PASS) opens;
- 30 September 2026 – the FSMA authorisation application window opens;
- 28 February 2027 – the application window closes, with firms applying in time benefiting from the “saving provision”; and
- 25 October 2027 – the new FSMA cryptoasset regime comes into force.
A key point for firms is that there will be no grandfather...
20.03.2026 - Renters’ Rights Act
We wanted to share our latest bulletin on the Renters’ Rights Act, which outlines the key proposed changes and what they are likely to mean in practice for landlords, letting agents and tenants.
The reforms are expected to have a significant impact on the residential lettings market, so we hope this provides a helpful summary of the main points and the issues to start preparing for.
Please find the bulletin.
If you would like to discuss how the changes may affect you or your portfolio, please do get in touch.
12.03.2026 - New sponsor compliance duties
The Home Office updated its sponsor guidance on 6 March 2026.
Duty to keep evidence on the provision of worker rights and welfare information
Has been updated to require sponsors to retain evidence that they have told their sponsored employees or workers about their employment rights in the UK:
You must have human resources systems or processes in place which demonstrate that you provide this information to any employees or workers you sponsor. You must retain this evidence for any workers you sponsor.
The record could be copies of any written information you have provided to your w...
05.03.2026 - Home Office released a highly significant new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules
The Home Office has today released a highly significant new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, the first of the year. The changes cover a range of areas, including visa restrictions, the duration of refugee protection, procedures for failed asylum seekers, alongside updates to English language requirements for settlement. Extending Ukraine Permission Extension leave by a further 24 months.
The changes take effect on various dates, from 3pm 5 March 2026 through to 26 March 2027.
The new paragraph 339QAA, which introduces the 30-month permission to stay for most refugees and those gr...
04.03.2026 - Student and work visa bans imposed to prevent asylum claims
The Home Office has announced it will cease issuing study visas to nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and work visas for Afghans. The purpose is to prevent those entering on such visas from claiming asylum.
The change will be introduced by new immigration rules on 5 March 2026 and comes into force on 26 March 2026.
Last year saw the second highest ever number of asylum claims made in the UK: 100,625. According to the immigration statistics released last week, the percentage of claims made by people holding a visa – for example as a visitor, student or worker – was 39%.
That ...
23.02.2026 - Will the UK really ban dual nationals who don’t have a British passport?
From 25 February the UK will begin enforcing pre-departure checks which require carriers to confirm that passengers have permission to travel. This has raised concerns that dual British nationals who only hold a foreign passport will be denied boarding or refused entry to the UK.
The headlines are frantic:
“New passport rules set to affect more than one million Brits – who risk being banned from flights” (The Sun, 13 February)
“‘Scandalous and unacceptable’: readers on the new UK entry rules for dual nationals …” (“Some say they may stop visiting or even renounce their British citiz...
02.02.2026 - What to do if you are stopped and refused entry at the UK border
Being refused entry at the UK border can be an upsetting, frustrating and confusing experience. Border force officials have the authority to deny travellers entry to the UK if they are not satisfied that the immigration rules are met, even where individuals hold a valid electronic travel authorisation, a valid visa, or have British citizenship.
This practical guide helps to explain why individuals can be denied entry to the UK, what their rights are and the steps that they should take immediately. We also summarise some useful cases.
Part Suitability of the immigration rules details the instan...
26.01.2026 - Electronic Travel Authorisation From 25 February 2026
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From 25 February 2026, eligible nationals travelling to the UK as visitors must have a valid ETA unless they already hold a valid UK immigration permission. Carriers will deny boarding to anyone who requires an ETA but does not hold one.
British dual nationals
British citizens, including those holding another nationality, are not eligible for an ETA. They may only evidence their right of abode with a valid British passport or other passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement (CoE). From 25 February 2026, anyone unable to... |
