Immigration Advice Authority issues first Annual Report, signals tougher compliance push
Government answers MAC review, pledges multi-year Seasonal Worker scheme and stronger safeguards
China move prompts media spotlight on visa-free options for UK passport holders
Latest News
Home Office confirms sweeping rule changes to Skilled Worker, GBM and Scale-up routes
An insight note dated 28 January 2026 reveals the detail behind July’s Immigration Rule overhaul: skill level raised to RQF 6, salary thresholds up to £41,700 and overseas recruitment banned for most care-worker roles. Transitional protections last until 2028, but new hires after 22 July must meet the stricter criteria, pushing up mobility costs and narrowing talent pools.
UK government proposes sharp rises to ETA, citizenship and sponsorship fees
Draft regulations published on 28 January 2026 would raise the ETA from £10 to £16, double the Certificate of Sponsorship fee to £525 and add £105 to the cost of naturalisation. The Home Office says the move will generate £269 million and reduce reliance on general taxation, but employers fear higher mobility costs and are rushing to issue sponsorship certificates before the hike takes effect.
‘Brexodus’ accelerates: ONS data show record net loss of EU citizens
ONS provisional data, examined by South West Londoner on 28 January 2026, show net EU migration at ‑70,000—the biggest outflow on record—while non-EU net migration remains high. The shift forces employers to sponsor more non-EU staff and raises questions about long-term skills supply and university finances.