1. Changes incoming for right to work:
We await the legal commencement of a change in the illegal working laws to extend an employer’s right to work responsibility to those who are not just in ‘direct employment’.
Read our latest article on these proposed changes here
2. Changes to sponsor guidance:
Last month, sponsor guidance for Skilled Worker and GBM sponsors was updated comprehensively to include, among other things, a requirement to be up to date with sponsor guidance!
Read our latest update on these changes here
3. 10-year route to indefinite leave to remain:
Since last May, it has been unclear what will happen with changes to the law to require visa holders to have been in the UK for at least 10 years before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The Home Office have confirmed that changes are expected in Autumn 2026, and they still seem undecided on whether these rules will be applied retroactively to those already on visas.
Read our latest update on earned settlement here
4. Temporary Shortage List – removal of current roles:
The current roles included on the Temporary Shortage List are due to be removed on 31 December 2026, save for any that the government decided to keep following a review by the Migration Advisory Committee. To stay, they need to be at least RWF Level 3 and be associated with fields within the government’s industrial strategy.
The Temporary Shortage List offers a route to sponsorship for job roles that no longer qualify on account of their RQF level being less than RQF 6.
5. Immigration Salary List – closure:
The Immigration Salary List will also close on 31 December 2026, removing roles that are currently open for sponsorship (despite the RQF Level) and at a reduced salary. These roles will not be able to be extended in the future, so employers will need to look to see if these job occupations apply and to consider extension applications before the end of the year.
To contact us for a no-obligation chat on any of these changes, contact us today.
