The Home Office announced a further Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules on 3 September 2026. The amendments do not overhaul every immigration route, but they contain important changes affecting protection for Skilled Worker visa holders, Student route financial requirements, the Erasmus+ programme, settlement for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) families, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), victims of domestic abuse, religious organisations, sponsorship and application procedures.

Most changes take effect on 8 October 2026. However, the changes affecting religious workers take effect on 29 October 2026; the revised Student route maintenance requirements apply from 30 November 2026; and certain EUSS changes concerning identity evidence apply from 9 December 2026. Those preparing a visa application, extension, variation or settlement application should check the applicable Rules carefully, as the relevant date is likely to be the date on which the application is made, rather than simply the expiry date of the applicant’s current permission.

Skilled Worker route: flexibility for recognised victims of modern slavery

One of the most important changes strengthens protection for Skilled Worker visa holders who have been formally recognised as victims of modern slavery or human trafficking.

A Skilled Worker is normally sponsored by a particular employer for a specified role. Where a worker wishes to change employer, the new employer will generally need to hold a sponsor licence, assign a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and the worker will usually need to make a successful application to update their permission before starting the new role.

This system can make it difficult for a worker experiencing serious exploitation to leave an abusive employer. The amended Rules therefore give greater flexibility to Skilled Workers who have been formally recognised as victims of modern slavery or human trafficking through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). This applies where the individual has received a positive Conclusive Grounds decision.

Where the relevant requirements are met, the individual may work for another employer during the remainder of their existing Skilled Worker permission without being tied to their original sponsor. They may also be permitted to undertake self-employment or voluntary work within the scope allowed by the Rules.

This concession does not apply to every employment dispute, unpaid wages claim or workplace disagreement. The individual must have been formally recognised by the Home Office as a victim of modern slavery. It does not automatically extend their existing permission to stay. Anyone in this position should consider their future immigration options before their current permission expires.

Visitor route: new Erasmus+ training, job-shadowing and exchange activities

The UK is preparing to rejoin the Erasmus+ programme from 2027. These changes are therefore particularly relevant to students, educational providers, training bodies and organisations operating international exchange programmes. Erasmus+ supports education, training, youth mobility and sporting activities across participating European countries.

Under the revised Rules, Erasmus+ participants may undertake a wider range of activities in the UK through the Visitor route. Depending on the circumstances, these may include education, training, job shadowing, practical learning and exchange activities. Within the permitted scope, participants may be able not only to receive education or training in the UK, but also to deliver education or training.

Where a participant is under the age of 18 and will undertake a traineeship or job shadowing, written consent from a parent, legal guardian or educational institution will be required. The activity must not be used to fill a permanent vacancy or to displace a genuine role in the UK labour market.

The Rules also clarify permitted activities for Visitors more generally. These now expressly include attending workshops and debates, in addition to meetings, conferences, seminars and interviews. Participation in a Skills Competition is permitted. Artists, entertainers and musicians may attend rehearsals as well as performances, and qualifying technical, production and personal staff may support those activities.

Educational providers and programme organisers should establish in advance whether the proposed activity is genuinely permitted under the Visitor route, requires sponsorship under the Student route, or is more appropriately undertaken through another immigration route, such as the Government Authorised Exchange route.

Student and Child Student routes: sponsoring Erasmus+ courses and placements

The Student and Child Student routes are also being amended to support participation in Erasmus+. Previously, the Student route generally required the course to lead to an approved qualification or otherwise satisfy specified course requirements.

Under the revised Rules, an Erasmus+ course may be sponsored even where it does not lead to a conventional approved qualification. An educational institution holding a valid Student sponsor licence may therefore sponsor an eligible Erasmus+ participant under the Student or Child Student route.

This will be particularly relevant to schools, universities, colleges, specialist education providers and youth organisations delivering international exchange, joint training or overseas education programmes.

Certain work placements forming part of an Erasmus+ course may be exempt from the usual time limits which apply under the Student route. Subject to the relevant requirements, it may also be possible for an individual to study at a state-funded school or academy as part of an Erasmus+ programme.

These arrangements do not apply automatically to every short course, placement or training programme. Educational providers should check the nature of the course, whether it falls within Erasmus+, whether they hold the appropriate sponsor licence, whether a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can properly be assigned, and whether the student is a genuine participant in the programme.

Student route: increased maintenance funds from 30 November 2026

From 30 November 2026, the maintenance requirement for Student route applicants will increase. Students studying in London must show £1,570 per month for living costs, increased from £1,529. Students studying outside London must show £1,203 per month, increased from £1,171.

Maintenance is normally calculated for a maximum of nine months. Accordingly, an applicant studying in London for nine months or longer may need to show up to £14,130 for living costs. An applicant studying outside London may need to show up to £10,827. In addition, applicants must normally show funds for any unpaid course fees shown on their CAS.

For example, if an applicant has been offered a postgraduate course in London and their CAS shows unpaid tuition fees of £18,000, they may need to show £18,000 in unpaid course fees plus up to £14,130 for maintenance. The precise amount required will depend on tuition fees already paid, any qualifying accommodation payments, the information recorded on the CAS and any applicable deductions.

Applicants should check not only whether sufficient funds are available, but also whether the funds have been held for the prescribed period and can be evidenced in the required format. Those intending to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay on or after 30 November 2026 should prepare their financial evidence on the basis of the increased figures.

Hong Kong BN(O) route: dependent children may settle with eligible parents

The changes are also significant for families using the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route.

Previously, a dependent child applying for settlement with a parent may have needed to complete their own five-year continuous residence period before being eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Under the amended Rules, where a parent meets the settlement requirements, their dependent child may be able to apply for ILR with that parent even if the child has not completed five years’ continuous residence in the UK.

This may assist families where a parent entered the UK earlier and has completed the qualifying period, while the child arrived later due to education, family circumstances or delayed family reunion.

The change does not mean that a child will automatically qualify for ILR. The child must still meet the applicable dependency, relationship and immigration status requirements, and the parent must themselves meet the requirements for settlement. Each case should be considered on its individual facts.

EU Settlement Scheme: pre-settled status, joining family members and expired BRPs

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) safeguards the residence rights of eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their qualifying family members following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The changes may affect people with pre-settled status and certain joining family members.

Where a person with pre-settled status no longer meets the basis on which that status was granted due to an unexpected change in family circumstances, the amended Rules address limited cases in which cancellation of that status would be disproportionate or unjustified. In such circumstances, the individual may remain within the scope of the EUSS and may be able to apply for settled status in due course.

The changes also clarify the calculation of application deadlines where an EUSS joining family member has previously had an application refused or rejected. In particular, an individual who entered the UK without an EUSS Family Permit and whose EUSS application was subsequently refused may need to provide reasonable grounds for making a late application. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to consider obtaining an EUSS Family Permit before re-entering the UK and making a further application.

From 9 December 2026, the provisions allowing an expired biometric residence permit (BRP) to be used as evidence of identity and nationality in an EUSS application will change. EUSS status holders who renew or replace their passport should ensure that their new passport details are linked to their digital immigration status, or eVisa, through their Home Office online account.

Domestic Abuse route: protection extended to adult dependent children

The Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse route is being extended to certain adult dependent children whose relationship with a parent or family sponsor has permanently broken down as a result of domestic abuse.

Previously, this route was most commonly available to partners who had entered the UK with an expectation of settlement but whose relationship had broken down permanently because of domestic abuse. Following the amendment, an adult dependent child whose immigration status depended on a parent or family sponsor may also be able to apply under this route, provided that the relevant requirements are met.

This route is not intended to cover ordinary family disagreements or relationship breakdown without domestic abuse. An applicant may need to provide detailed evidence of the domestic abuse, the permanent breakdown of the relationship, their immigration history and their expectation of settlement in the UK. Those whose permission is due to expire should obtain legal advice at an early stage.

Religious Worker routes: revised requirements for ministers, religious workers and sponsors

The amendments to the T2 Minister of Religion and Temporary Work – Religious Worker routes take effect on 29 October 2026. They are particularly relevant to churches, temples, mosques, faith-based charities and other religious organisations that sponsor overseas religious workers.

The T2 Minister of Religion route is a long-term route for individuals who will undertake pastoral, missionary, worship-leading or religious leadership duties within a UK faith community. It can lead to settlement. The amended Rules provide greater flexibility for members of religious orders who undertake some non-pastoral duties.

Where an applicant is not subject to the National Minimum Wage, an A-rated sponsor may need to confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that it will provide maintenance and accommodation for the religious worker, and where relevant, their dependant family members, for the duration of their stay in the UK.

The Temporary Work – Religious Worker route remains a non-settlement route for a maximum period of two years. The requirement for a sponsor to advertise the role is being removed. However, the applicant must demonstrate a genuine affiliation or connection with the sponsoring religious organisation.

Religious organisations should select the route which properly reflects the proposed duties. Where the principal role involves leading worship, preaching, pastoral work, leading a congregation or conducting religious rites, the T2 Minister of Religion route may be appropriate. Where the role is primarily non-pastoral religious work, support within a religious community or temporary religious activities, the Temporary Work – Religious Worker route may be more suitable. Selecting the wrong route, or assigning a CoS which does not accurately reflect the proposed role, may lead to refusal and sponsor compliance concerns.

Fee waiver and biometrics: application dates and deadlines remain critical

The amendments also include procedural changes relating to fee waiver applications and biometric enrolment.

Where an applicant requests a fee waiver and subsequently applies for permission to stay, the later application will generally need to be made under the same immigration route as the fee waiver request for the date of the fee waiver request to be treated as the application date.

For example, if a person requests a fee waiver under a family or human rights route but subsequently applies under the Skilled Worker or Student route, the relevant application date may be the date on which the later application is submitted, rather than the date of the fee waiver request. Where an applicant’s permission is close to expiry, this may affect lawful status and whether they benefit from section 3C leave.

In addition, varying an existing application or switching to another route does not automatically reset the biometric enrolment deadline originally specified by the Home Office. Applicants must complete the required biometric enrolment, including the provision of fingerprints and a photograph, within the period stated in the Home Office notice.

Employers, educational institutions and religious organisations holding sponsor licences should review their compliance arrangements. In particular, they should ensure that the information recorded on Certificates of Sponsorship, job descriptions, maintenance arrangements, chosen immigration route and actual activities undertaken in the UK are accurate and compliant with the Immigration Rules.

Commencement dates and transitional arrangements: check before applying

Most of the changes take effect on 8 October 2026. Changes affecting religious workers take effect on 29 October 2026, the Student route maintenance changes take effect on 30 November 2026, and certain EUSS identity evidence changes take effect on 9 December 2026.

Whether the new Rules apply in a particular case will not be determined solely by the expiry date of an existing visa. It may depend on the date an application is submitted, whether it is an in-country application for permission to stay or an out-of-country application for entry clearance, and the immigration route under which the application is made. Some changes are subject to transitional provisions, meaning that applications made before the relevant commencement date may continue to be considered under the previous Rules.

Anyone planning an extension of stay, a change of employer, a Student or family visa application, settlement under the BN(O) route, an EUSS application or sponsor licence action should consider carefully how the new Rules apply to their circumstances and whether it is appropriate to make an application before the relevant changes take effect.

ARIS International Lawyers advises individuals, families, employers, educational institutions, sponsors and organisations on UK immigration law. If you require advice on how these changes may affect your visa application, immigration status, settlement plans, Skilled Worker employment, Student visa preparations, sponsor licence or wider immigration strategy, please leave us a message or contact us on 020 3865 0219.