On 13 November 2025 the Home Office quietly published the consolidated Immigration Rules covering 4–10 November 2025, replacing earlier versions and confirming that the new ‘Part Suitability’ framework and higher salary thresholds are now the legal reference point for all decisions.
Why does an archived set of rules matter? Under UK law, the exact wording in force on an applicant’s submission date governs a case. HR teams therefore need the historical document to defend appeals or track whether a refusal stemmed from criteria that have since changed. The newly archived version captures several headline reforms:
• Part Suitability has replaced the old Part 9 ‘Grounds for Refusal’, standardising character and conduct tests across almost every visa route.
• The Skilled Worker general salary threshold rose from £38,700 to £41,700 on 22 July, with transitional relief ending next April—meaning extension applicants will soon be assessed against the higher figure.
• Care-worker switching closes on 22 July 2028, but wording has been clarified to allow final in-country moves until that date.
• EU Settlement Scheme applicants with expired biometric residence permits (up to 18 months) may now reuse them for identity checks, easing the administrative load on international assignees and their dependants.
![Home Office Releases Latest Immigration Rules Archive—Key Take-Aways for Sponsors]()
For global-mobility managers, the archive is indispensable evidence when reconciling compliance audits or defending legacy cases before the Immigration Tribunal. Legal advisers recommend downloading and storing an internal copy because the National Archives’ web links can change.
Practically, sponsors planning January headcount should map offer dates and Certificates of Sponsorship against the rule changes: issuing a CoS before 21 July 2025 still allows the lower salary threshold if the visa is granted under transitional provisions. Failure to align payroll with the new minimums risks licence compliance action or refusal of future allocations.
The Home Office will next consolidate the Rules after Parliament approves amendments flowing from the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill—expected early 2026. Until then, mobility teams should treat the 10 November document as the definitive baseline for any application now under review.
Why does an archived set of rules matter? Under UK law, the exact wording in force on an applicant’s submission date governs a case. HR teams therefore need the historical document to defend appeals or track whether a refusal stemmed from criteria that have since changed. The newly archived version captures several headline reforms:
• Part Suitability has replaced the old Part 9 ‘Grounds for Refusal’, standardising character and conduct tests across almost every visa route.
• The Skilled Worker general salary threshold rose from £38,700 to £41,700 on 22 July, with transitional relief ending next April—meaning extension applicants will soon be assessed against the higher figure.
• Care-worker switching closes on 22 July 2028, but wording has been clarified to allow final in-country moves until that date.
• EU Settlement Scheme applicants with expired biometric residence permits (up to 18 months) may now reuse them for identity checks, easing the administrative load on international assignees and their dependants.
For global-mobility managers, the archive is indispensable evidence when reconciling compliance audits or defending legacy cases before the Immigration Tribunal. Legal advisers recommend downloading and storing an internal copy because the National Archives’ web links can change.
Practically, sponsors planning January headcount should map offer dates and Certificates of Sponsorship against the rule changes: issuing a CoS before 21 July 2025 still allows the lower salary threshold if the visa is granted under transitional provisions. Failure to align payroll with the new minimums risks licence compliance action or refusal of future allocations.
The Home Office will next consolidate the Rules after Parliament approves amendments flowing from the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill—expected early 2026. Until then, mobility teams should treat the 10 November document as the definitive baseline for any application now under review.
