UK cuts asylum ‘move-on’ grace period to 42 days, raising homelessness fears
Parliamentary briefing flags sweeping UK immigration reforms ahead of 17 March debate
Home Office reinstates seasonal visa concession for Australian and New Zealand sheep shearers
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Family of child cancer survivor caught in settlement ‘doubling’ fears after visa rule overhaul
A Guardian investigation highlights how doubling the settlement qualifying period to ten years will force families—such as the carers of a child cancer survivor—to pay multiple visa renewals and risk ineligibility for indefinite leave. The story underscores the significant financial and wellbeing implications of the April 2026 ILR reforms for sponsored employees.
UKCISA warns students of new ‘visa brake’ and introduces identity-reuse fix in immigration applications
UKCISA’s 11 March update confirms that the Home Office’s ‘visa brake’ will ban new Student and some Skilled-Worker visas for nationals of four high-risk countries from 26 March. It also explains a new identity-reuse facility that will save repeat applicants extra biometrics appointments. Universities and employers must adjust admission and hiring processes accordingly.
MPs probe Common Travel Area enforcement as cross-border policing faces post-Brexit stress test
At a 11 March hearing, MPs questioned Home Office and NCA officials on how well cross-border policing and immigration controls are working within the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area. The session highlighted potential friction points once the EU Entry/Exit System goes live and underscored how digital immigration status will soon underpin travel between Northern Ireland, the Republic and Great Britain.
Mahmood unveils toughest UK immigration shake-up in a generation
The Home Secretary has announced a sweeping reform package that: 1) activates an emergency ‘visa brake’ on four high-risk nationalities; 2) doubles the standard route to settlement from five to ten years; and 3) shortens initial refugee protection to 30 months with voluntary-return incentives. Businesses, universities and migrants face new compliance and workforce-planning risks, while highly skilled and NHS routes retain preferential treatment.
Government opens consultation on digital ID that will integrate eVisas and right-to-work checks
An eight-week consultation launched on 10 March asks the public to shape a new digital-identity app that will link with the Home Office’s eVisa records and become an accepted right-to-work check. The move accelerates the UK’s shift toward fully digital immigration status and promises leaner onboarding processes for employers.
English-language bar for UK settlement to rise to CEFR B2 from 2027
A Home Office rule change published last week but analysed on 10 March confirms that, from 26 March 2027, most migrants seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain must meet CEFR B2 rather than B1. Early planning will be essential for employees and dependants whose current visas were granted before 8 January 2026.
Middle-East air-space crisis triggers 42 UK flight cancellations, 146 delays in a single day
A ripple effect from Middle-East airspace closures saw UK airports log over 40 cancellations and nearly 150 delays on 10 March. Suspended Gulf routes reduce connectivity for business travellers, and while cash compensation is unlikely, companies must arrange rerouting and care for affected staff.
‘Home Office Digital’ rebrand highlights seven million eVisa users and 45-second ETA decisions
The Home Office has re-badged its technology arm as “Home Office Digital”, underscoring milestones such as seven million eVisa accounts and sub-minute ETA processing. The shift signals an acceleration toward fully digital status documents and tighter API integration – developments that will directly affect corporate compliance and traveller experience.
One-year visa reprieve granted for Australian and New Zealand sheep-shearers
After industry lobbying, the Home Office has granted a final one-year extension to the special visa route for 75 Australian and New Zealand sheep-shearers, covering the 2026 spring season but warning that no renewal is expected beyond June 2026.