UK to bar dual nationals without British passports from 25 February, sparking backlash
India–UK Young Professionals Scheme ballot reopens, 3,000 two-year visas up for grabs
UK completes switch to eVisas, ending physical vignettes and BRP cards
Latest News
Surge in research-course enrolments tests UK’s student-visa rules
International enrolments on UK Master of Research courses have more than doubled in a year, prompting Home Office warnings that research visas could be tightened if providers are gaming the rules that still allow dependants. Any clamp-down could hit employers who rely on post-study Graduate visas to recruit talent.
Qatar Airways cuts 131 spring flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, handing slots to British Airways
Qatar Airways has axed 131 London–Doha flights between April and June 2026, reducing weekly services and transferring some Heathrow slots to British Airways. Business-class fares are already rising and corporates are urged to review itineraries to avoid tight Doha connections. Affected passengers remain protected by UK compensation rules.
Campaigners say new UK border rules for dual nationals discriminate against women
From 25 February 2026, dual British nationals must either travel on a UK passport or buy a £589 certificate of entitlement. Campaigners say the poorly-publicised rule will hit women hardest because naming conventions in countries such as Greece and Spain create passport mismatches, and they want a transition period. Businesses should audit staff passports now to avoid duty-of-care breaches.
China grants 30-day visa-free access to UK citizens from 17 February
From 17 February 2026, UK passport holders can visit mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism or business. The policy removes fees and processing delays, encouraging corporate travel and prompting airlines to add capacity. Firms should adjust travel processes but remember that work-related activities outside the visa-exempt list still need permits.
West Midlands mayor launches trade mission to India to capitalise on UK–India FTA mobility chapters
The West Midlands will send a mayoral trade mission to India on 23–27 February to leverage the UK-India FTA’s new short-term mobility routes. Participants hope to fast-track visas, win investment and benefit from a fresh social-security totalisation deal that could cut assignment costs by up to 15 %. Firms should prepare documentation ahead of the FTA’s mobility chapter entering into force in April.
UK–India FTA set to start in April with sweeping mobility concessions for business visitors and dependants
Officials confirm the UK–India FTA will take effect in April 2026 and will introduce fast-track 90-day business visits, four-year ICT visas, automatic work rights for dependants and 10-day processing targets. The package promises major cost and time savings for companies but still carries eligibility and salary conditions.
Senior UK ministers land in New Delhi for AI Impact Summit, eye streamlined tech-talent mobility
Deputy PM David Lammy leads a UK delegation to the India AI Impact Summit with plans to operationalise a new Tech Talent Pathway that will let AI professionals rotate between the UK and India on short notice. The initiative could cut recruitment lead times and costs for tech employers, but compliance details are still being drafted.