Business Immigration | Upcoming changes for 2026

Month

Legal Development

Month

Within 6 months of 3 July 2025

Legal Development

MAC's review of Skilled Worker salary requirements

Month

January 2026

Legal Development

Increase in English language proficiency standards for Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up route from level B1 to level B2

Month

February 2026

Legal Development

Closing date for extension application (entry clearance and permission to stay) in the Tier 1 (Investor) route

Month

Spring 2026 - Date yet to be specified

Legal Development

Proposed increase to the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from 5 to 10 years, with some people qualifying sooner based on earning settlement

Month

July 2026

Legal Development

MAC's stage 2 review of the Temporary Shortage List

Month

2026 - Date yet to be specified

Legal Development

Introduction of mandatory right to work checks and expansion of right to work checking duty to gig economy workers

Month

2026 - Date yet to be specified

Legal Development

Changes to the Global Talent visa route anticipated, aimed at attracting more highly skilled people in sectors like research, film, and TV

Month

2026 - Date yet to be specified

Legal Development

Anticipated introduction of work strategy requirements for key sectors relying on high levels of international recruitment

Month

Last quarter 2026

Legal Development

ETIAS system rollout

Month

December 2026

Legal Development

Current deadline for the assignment of certificates of sponsorship for roles on the Temporary Shortage List

Month

Upcoming - January 2027

Legal Development

Reduction of duration of stay for Graduate visas from 24 months to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027; PhD graduates retain three year

The content of this page is a summary of the law in force at the date of publication and is not exhaustive, nor does it contain definitive advice. Specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to any queries that may arise.

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