UK visa changes: what changed on 8 Oct 2026 and dates ahead

Several changes to the UK Immigration Rules took effect in October 2026, and more have dates before spring 2027. This guide separates what is in force from what has a date and what is only proposed. It covers the Statement of Changes HC 584 and the dates to watch.

What changed on 8 October 2026?

HC 584 was laid on 3 September 2026. Its explanatory memorandum says most changes took effect on 8 October 2026, and the Minister of Religion and Religious Worker changes on 29 October 2026 (HC 584 explanatory memorandum). Changes include:

• Victims identified by the Competent Authorities as victims of modern slavery who hold a Skilled Worker visa can work for any employer for the rest of their permission (HC 584 explanatory memorandum).
• Appendix VDA (victims of domestic abuse) now covers adult dependent children. BN(O) dependent children no longer need their own 5-year continuous residence to settle with their parents (HC 584 explanatory memorandum).
• Frustrating immigration controls, for example by absconding from bail, counts as a breach for suitability purposes (HC 584 explanatory memorandum).
• Visa fees stayed the same. The Home Office table shows “Fee change £0” (fees table).

Since 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants and people switching into the route have needed English at B2 level (Skilled Worker guide). See our Skilled Worker guide.

What changes on 30 November 2026 for students?

Student maintenance funds rise. In London the monthly figure goes from £1,529 to £1,570. Outside London it goes from £1,171 to £1,203. Applications made before 30 November are decided under the rules in force on 29 November (HC 584; Student visa guide).

Worked example (illustration)

The Student visa guide asks for funds for up to 9 months. Our arithmetic: in London, 9 × £1,570 = £14,130, compared with 9 × £1,529 = £13,761 before, so £369 more. Outside London, 9 × £1,203 = £10,827, compared with 9 × £1,171 = £10,539, so £288 more. Funds must be held for 28 days, ending within 31 days of applying (Student visa guide).

What changes on 9 December 2026?

In the EU Settlement Scheme rules, a BRP will no longer be used as proof of identity. The memorandum says almost all BRPs had expired by 31 December 2024 (HC 584 explanatory memorandum). See our eVisa guide for what to use now.

What changes on 31 December 2026?

• Shortage lists: the Temporary Shortage List and almost all of the Immigration Salary List stop counting for a Skilled Worker certificate of sponsorship issued on or after this date. Care workers and senior care workers on the Immigration Salary List have a later date of 22 July 2028 (Appendix Skilled Worker; Appendix Immigration Salary List).
• Graduate visa: last day to apply for the 2-year visa. From 1 January 2027 it is 18 months, except 3 years for PhD and doctorate holders (Graduate visa). See our Graduate guide.
• Expired BRPs: an expired BRP can be used to create a UKVI account for 24 months after expiry or until 31 December 2026, whichever is first (eVisa guide).

What changes in 2027?

The government plans to introduce, from 1 February 2027, up to 120 days for care workers who lose their job because their sponsor’s licence is removed to find a new job offer, plus 60 days to resolve their status (not in force yet) (government response). From 26 March 2027, the English requirement for settlement on a list of routes rises from B1 to B2 for applications made on or after that date (HC 1691 explanatory memorandum).

What is proposed, or not yet dated?

• Earned settlement (3, 5, 10 or 20 years) was set out on 2 November 2026. Parliament has given a rough timetable. In the Commons the Home Secretary said the changes “will begin to be laid from the December immigration rules” and “will be implemented over the course of 2027” (Commons Hansard). In the Lords the government said the first stage “will begin in December and take effect in January 2027”, with further changes in 2027 and 2028 (Lords Hansard). The dates for individual measures are not confirmed, and technical detail and an impact assessment are due before implementation (GOV.UK news story). See our earned settlement explainer.
• A shortage list after 2026: the Migration Advisory Committee’s report of 23 July 2026 recommends 28 occupations. It is a recommendation, and we have not found a government decision (MAC report).
• Family income rule: on 11 September 2026 a minister said there is “no set date” for the government response to the MAC review. The £29,000 requirement is in force (written answer; family visa guide). See our family income guide.

Who is affected?

Students and universities (maintenance), Graduate visa applicants, employers and workers on shortage-list jobs, care workers, people with old BRPs, and anyone waiting to settle. Many rules depend on your application date, or the date your sponsor issues your certificate of sponsorship.

What to do now

1. List your key dates: visa expiry, application date, certificate of sponsorship date.
2. Check each date above against your situation.
3. Use GOV.UK for the exact rule wording.
4. If a date might affect you, speak to an IAA-regulated adviser before it passes.

Common mistakes

• Treating proposals as law.
• Assuming an application is decided under new rules when it was made earlier.
• Missing the 31 December 2026 Graduate visa date by applying late.
• Using an old maintenance figure after 30 November.

Key dates

Date	Change	Status
8 October 2026	Most of HC 584	In force
29 October 2026	Minister of Religion and Religious Worker changes	In force
30 November 2026	Student maintenance rises	Announced, with a date
9 December 2026	EU Settlement Scheme BRP rule	Announced, with a date
31 December 2026	Shortage lists; Graduate 2-year deadline; expired BRP deadline	Announced, with a date
1 February 2027	Care worker 120/60 days	Planned; not in force yet
26 March 2027	B2 English for settlement on listed routes	Announced, with a date

Frequently asked questions

What changed in the UK Immigration Rules in October 2026?

Most of HC 584 took effect on 8 October 2026, with the religious worker changes on 29 October 2026. Fees did not change.

When does student maintenance go up?

On 30 November 2026, to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 elsewhere.

Are visa fees going up?

The 8 October 2026 fees table shows no change. Check GOV.UK before you apply.

Is the shortage list ending?

The Temporary Shortage List and almost all of the Immigration Salary List stop counting from 31 December 2026, for new certificates of sponsorship.

Is earned settlement in force?

No. Parliament has said the changes begin to be laid from the December immigration rules and are implemented over 2027, with the first stage taking effect in January 2027 and further changes in 2027 and 2028. Dates for individual measures are not confirmed.

Related Visa Tide guides

• Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas
• Graduate visa
• UK eVisa guide
• Earned settlement explained

This is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK or speak to an IAA-regulated adviser for your situation.

Sources

• HC 584, 3 September 2026 – GOV.UK
• Explanatory memorandum to HC 584 – GOV.UK
• Explanatory memorandum to HC 1691 – GOV.UK
• Student visa – GOV.UK, updated 2 November 2026
• Appendix Skilled Worker – GOV.UK
• Appendix Immigration Salary List – GOV.UK
• Graduate visa – GOV.UK
• eVisa – GOV.UK
• Skilled Worker visa – GOV.UK
• Fees table, 8 October 2026 – GOV.UK
• Earned settlement: government response – GOV.UK
• Earned settlement news story – GOV.UK
• Hansard: Immigration: Earned Settlement (Commons) – UK Parliament, 2 November 2026
• Hansard: Immigration: Earned Settlement (Lords) – UK Parliament, 2 November 2026
• MAC Temporary Shortage List report – GOV.UK, 23 July 2026
• Written question 26596 – UK Parliament
• UK family visa – GOV.UK

All sources checked on 4 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the linked pages for the latest version.