UK strikes migrant-return deals with Angola and Namibia, imposes visa sanctions on DR Congo
Home Office data show record December small-boat arrivals—803 migrants in a single day
Ukraine extends visa-free entry for UK citizens to January 2026
Latest News
Government proposes 2025 immigration-fee hikes including ETA rise to £16
Draft regulations would raise the ETA fee to £16 and more than double the Certificate of Sponsorship charge to £525, significantly increasing corporate mobility costs in 2025.
Skilled-Worker hourly wage floor to rise to £12.82 from 8 April 2025
From 8 April 2025 the Skilled-Worker minimum wage will climb to £12.82 per hour, forcing sponsors to raise salaries for new certificates and many extension cases. Firms should conduct pay audits and budget accordingly.
UK Visa Application Centres worldwide shifting from TLScontact to VFS Global
As part of a new outsourcing contract, UK visa centres worldwide are moving from TLScontact to VFS Global, promising faster passport collection but reducing the number of enrolment sites. Applicants may need to book at alternative cities during January’s handover period.
UK Tech Giants Advise Staff to Avoid Holiday Travel as U.S. Visa Delays Escalate
Google and Apple have told UK employees on U.S. visas to stay put over the festive period because London consular appointments are unavailable until mid-2026. New American vetting rules and an expanded travel-ban list have created six-to-twelve-month stamping delays, raising the risk that travellers could be locked out of the U.S. and unable to return to work. The guidance forces businesses to rethink project timelines and adds urgency to remote-work contingency planning.
Christmas-Day Fog Triggers 1,493 Flight Delays at Heathrow and Across Europe
Dense fog on 25 December caused nearly 1,500 flight delays and 21 cancellations, with Heathrow worst affected. Staffing shortages at French air-traffic centres compounded the problem, creating ripple effects across Europe. Employers should expect higher re-routing costs, remind staff of EU261 rights and build generous buffers into itineraries for the remainder of the holiday peak.
Heathrow Tops Europe-Wide Boxing-Day Disruption League with 469 Delays and 33 Cancellations
Boxing Day saw 469 delays and 33 cancellations across Europe, with Heathrow again the worst-hit airport. Mixed weather and staffing issues are driving capacity stress at the peak of the holiday wave, threatening onward connections for business travellers and sensitive cargo. Mobility teams should retain flexible hotel and ticket inventory until schedules stabilise.
Home Office Daily Update Confirms Record December Channel Crossing as Figures Reach 803 Migrants in a Single Day
Official data released on 27 December confirm a record mid-winter spike of 803 small-boat arrivals on 20 December, pushing the 2025 total to more than 41,000. The influx risks diverting Home Office resources, potentially lengthening processing times for work and family visas. Employers should plan for priority-service fees and monitor BRP appointment availability.
48-Hour Heathrow Express Shutdown Forces Travellers onto Slower Holiday Services
The Heathrow Express is out of action from 25-26 December for major engineering works, forcing travellers onto slower Elizabeth-Line or road options. Journey times into London are up to 45 minutes longer, and similar shutdowns are planned over Easter and early May. Businesses should adjust arrival buffers and notify chauffeurs accordingly.
19.7 Million Boxing-Day Car Journeys to Collide with Rail Engineering Black-outs, AA Warns
The AA predicts nearly 20 million car trips on 26 December and 22 million on 27 December, coinciding with major rail engineering works and multiple motorway closures. Heavy congestion could delay airport transfers and freight deliveries, so employers should pre-book taxis, brief staff on winter-driving checks and review insurance coverage.