On 5 March 2026, the government released a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.
These changes will have a broad impact across a number of visa routes, with some coming in immediately and the rest being staggered between now and 2027. Here is a summary of these changes:
Skilled Worker pay periods
Currently, the rules allow Skilled Worker sponsors to decide the pay period for sponsored workers. For example, workers can be paid their salary on a monthly basis or receive a lump sum at the end of the quarter.
The government normally assesses the amount received by the worker on an annual basis to make sure their salary meets the minimum stated on the CoS.
From 8 April 2026, Skilled Workers sponsored after this date must be paid the required salary in each pay period, with potential government assessments carried out on a quarterly basis.
The government states that this approach will ensure that any underpayment concerns are dealt with quickly, without needing to wait for a full year of salary to be paid.
Where HMRC records indicate an underpayment, the sponsor will be notified and provided an opportunity to explain before compliance action starts.
It is more important than ever that any reductions from a Skilled Worker’s salary as given on their CoS are reported to the government every month via the Sponsor Management System. This includes reductions for sick pay or parental leave.
ILR and English language
The government plans to increase the level of English language required for ILR from level B1 to level B2 in speaking and listening.
This change will become effective from 26 March 2027. The increase will apply to most visa routes which lead to ILR, but not to ILR applications made under Appendix FM, which is designed for close family members of British nationals or those with ILR.
The change will apply to individuals who are already on a pathway to ILR and implementation has been deferred until 2027 to give applicants a chance to increase their English language ability.
Visa brake
The government is implementing visa brakes on certain nationalities so that from 26 March 2026:
• Skilled Worker sponsors will not be able to sponsor nationals of Afghanistan
• Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan will be refused Student visas.
This only applies to individuals applying for entry to the UK and will not affect nationals of these countries who are applying for visas from within the UK.
Visit Visa requirements
As of 5 March 2026, a visit visa requirement has been introduced for nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia. Nationals of these countries cannot apply for Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) and must apply for a visa before they can travel to the UK for short term visits.
Criminality provisions
Criminality provisions govern when an individual may have their visa application refused or their visa cancelled. Presently, where an individual has a custodial sentence of at least 12 months for an offence committed in the UK or overseas, the government must refuse a visa application or cancel their visa.
This is being expanded so that anyone with a suspended custodial sentence of 12 months or more will also be subject to mandatory refusal or cancellation.
New Global Talent design pathway trailed
The Global Talent route is being expanded from 1 July 2026 to include a new pathway for design professionals.
There is no indication just yet of who the endorsing body will be for the new pathway. It will be targeted at those who have been recognised in design and are professionally engaged in ‘producing outstanding applied, published, distributed, or internationally exhibited work’.
It is not clear whether this will include the design of digital products – we eagerly await clarification.
Another change to the Global Talent route will see The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society endorsing bodies simplifying the appointments fast track option.
This is an alternative to the full peer review endorsement pathway, allowing applicants to qualify with fewer evidential requirements.
Simplified criteria will cover all post-doctoral roles in an approved UK Higher Education Institution or research institute, where the applicant has:
• responsibility for academic, research or innovation leadership and development; or
• a role which requires them to perform research or innovation as a primary function.