Home Office Updates Sponsor Register, Number of Licensed Employers Tops 87,000
Ryanair Warns of ‘Messy’ Summer 2026 as ATC Strikes Loom
UK Foreign Office Issues Alert Over Five-Day Belgian Rail Strike
Latest News
UK to refund visa fees for ‘trailblazer’ investors bringing highly-skilled staff
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce in Davos that companies making high-value ‘trailblazer’ investments will be able to reclaim the visa fees they pay when sponsoring key foreign staff. The pilot, capped at 2,000 workers, also promises five-day processing of sponsor licences. The move lowers entry costs for multinationals and signals Labour’s intent to compete aggressively for advanced-sector projects.
Home Office sets 25 February ‘no ETA, no travel’ deadline and signals fee rise to £20
A newly updated Home Office factsheet confirms that from 25 February 2026 carriers must deny boarding to visa-exempt passengers without an ETA and notes that the ETA fee will rise from £16 to £20 at a later date. Travel managers must ensure compliance as penalties for carriers and denied boarding for travellers loom.
New UK International Education Strategy shifts focus from recruiting students to exporting education
Published today, a revised International Education Strategy drops numeric student-recruitment targets and instead aims to raise the value of education exports to £40 billion by 2030. The government urges universities to expand transnational operations while confirming a shorter, 18-month Graduate Route and tighter compliance. HR and mobility teams should expect more overseas secondments and scrutinise future consultations on student-visa rules.
Education level now strongest predictor of UK attitudes on immigration, major study finds
A NatCen survey published today shows education has eclipsed income and region as the main dividing line in UK views on immigration. Non-graduates are twice as likely as degree-holders to favour restrictive policies and vote for right-wing parties. The data highlight the political headwinds facing employer-sponsored migration and the need for targeted public-engagement strategies.
End of transition period: Nauru nationals now need a full UK visa for travel or transit
At 15:00 GMT on 20 January 2026 the UK’s temporary allowance for Nauru nationals to travel on an ETA ends; they must now obtain a visa for entry or air-side transit. Airlines will deny boarding to non-compliant passengers, underscoring the need for real-time visa-rule monitoring.