Published rule changes, in plain English

Every change to the UK Immigration Rules that touches the five routes we watch.

Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Graduate, Student, Partner. Each entry says what changed, who the official source says it applies to, and links the source.

HC 5842026-09-03In force 2026-10-08low
Work restriction lifted for Skilled Workers who are victims of modern slavery
Skilled Worker
HC 5842026-09-03In force 2026-11-30high
Increase in maintenance funds required for Student visa applicants
Student
HC 5842026-09-03In force 2026-10-08low
Refusal grounds expanded for previous immigration bail breaches
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Graduate, Student, Partner (family)
HC 5842026-09-03In force 2026-10-08low
Student route expanded to facilitate UK rejoining Erasmus+ programme
Student
HC 2592026-07-09In force 2026-08-03low
Application of care requirement to Appendix FM child route
Partner (family)
HC 2592026-07-09In force 2026-08-03medium
Graduate route dependant eligibility for UK-born children
Graduate
HC 2592026-07-09In force 2026-08-03low
Duration of leave for partners of protection sponsors
Partner (family)
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2026-04-07medium
Pay period salary compliance for Skilled Workers
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2026-03-26low
Transitional arrangements for Prison Officers in Skilled Worker route
Skilled Worker
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2027-03-26high
Increased English language requirement for settlement to B2 level
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Partner (family)
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2026-03-26low
Mandatory refusal for suspended sentences of 12 months or more
Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Graduate, Student, Partner (family)
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2026-03-26high
Visa brake: Student visa refusals for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan
Student
HC 16192026-03-05In force 2026-03-26high
Visa brake: Skilled Worker visa refusals for nationals of Afghanistan
Skilled Worker