The UK Home Office quietly opened the year by publishing the first set of Immigration Rules amendments for 2026 on 2 January. The update – recorded in the official ‘Updates: Immigration Rules’ page – implements items contained in Statement of Changes HC 1491 and, most notably for employers, **withdraws the little-used “Service Providers from Switzerland” route**. The route had allowed short-term contractual service provision by Swiss companies in the UK and was one of the last Brexit transition carve-outs still on the statute books. Its removal means that, from the date the order is laid, Swiss suppliers will need to rely on the Global Business Mobility (GBM) suite or the visitor provisions for client-facing work in Britain.
Other technical adjustments correct cross-references, update the consolidated index, and create a new Appendix AR (EU) to streamline administrative review provisions for those with EU-derived rights. Employers should check sponsor guidance once updates cascade through the system because coding errors in Certificates of Sponsorship can lead to visa refusals. In particular, the Home Office has confirmed informally that COS built before the appendix changes but submitted after implementation will be accepted provided no material details are altered.
For companies suddenly facing the need to pivot from the discontinued Swiss route to GBM or visitor permissions, VisaHQ can simplify the transition. Our UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers real-time guidance, document checklists and concierge support for both employers and travellers, reducing the risk of costly errors and ensuring applications align with the latest Home Office requirements.
![Home Office issues first Immigration Rules update of 2026, withdrawing Swiss service-provider route]()
Why does a seemingly niche change matter? For multinationals that routinely move specialised engineers or consultants into the UK for a few days or weeks, the Swiss route’s abolition removes a low-cost option. GBM Secondment and Contractual Service Supplier visas carry higher salary thresholds, an Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and, from 16 December 2025, a 32 percent ISC uplift. Travel managers should therefore budget extra lead-time and cost for any Swiss-origin projects commencing after January.
The update is also a reminder that 2026 will be a year of rapid rule-making. HC 1491 itself runs parallel to HC 1333 (October 2025), and more statements of changes are expected ahead of the full eVisa rollout and the January 2027 reform of the Graduate Route. Mobility teams are advised to sign up to Home Office email alerts and schedule quarterly audits of template documents.
Practically, employers should: (1) audit any planned Swiss service contracts, (2) refresh internal guidance on visitor activities versus work, and (3) brief procurement teams that “Swiss-only” carve-outs are no longer available. Swiss nationals already in the UK under the old route retain their existing leave, but extensions will not be possible.
Other technical adjustments correct cross-references, update the consolidated index, and create a new Appendix AR (EU) to streamline administrative review provisions for those with EU-derived rights. Employers should check sponsor guidance once updates cascade through the system because coding errors in Certificates of Sponsorship can lead to visa refusals. In particular, the Home Office has confirmed informally that COS built before the appendix changes but submitted after implementation will be accepted provided no material details are altered.
For companies suddenly facing the need to pivot from the discontinued Swiss route to GBM or visitor permissions, VisaHQ can simplify the transition. Our UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) offers real-time guidance, document checklists and concierge support for both employers and travellers, reducing the risk of costly errors and ensuring applications align with the latest Home Office requirements.
Why does a seemingly niche change matter? For multinationals that routinely move specialised engineers or consultants into the UK for a few days or weeks, the Swiss route’s abolition removes a low-cost option. GBM Secondment and Contractual Service Supplier visas carry higher salary thresholds, an Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) and, from 16 December 2025, a 32 percent ISC uplift. Travel managers should therefore budget extra lead-time and cost for any Swiss-origin projects commencing after January.
The update is also a reminder that 2026 will be a year of rapid rule-making. HC 1491 itself runs parallel to HC 1333 (October 2025), and more statements of changes are expected ahead of the full eVisa rollout and the January 2027 reform of the Graduate Route. Mobility teams are advised to sign up to Home Office email alerts and schedule quarterly audits of template documents.
Practically, employers should: (1) audit any planned Swiss service contracts, (2) refresh internal guidance on visitor activities versus work, and (3) brief procurement teams that “Swiss-only” carve-outs are no longer available. Swiss nationals already in the UK under the old route retain their existing leave, but extensions will not be possible.
