UKVI sets 26 February 2026 as cut-off for paper visa stickers, confirms nationwide roll-out of eVisas
Middle-East crisis ripples through UK airports: at least 42 cancellations and 146 delays recorded
No UK airport strikes planned for 12 March, Strike Calendar shows
Latest News
UK cuts asylum ‘move-on’ grace period to 42 days, raising homelessness fears
The Home Office has replaced its 56-day asylum accommodation ‘move-on’ pilot with a permanent 42-day grace period, effective for decisions from 9 March 2026. Homelessness charities say the shorter window will force more newly recognised refugees onto the streets and place extra pressure on councils and employers assisting with integration. Businesses that recruit talent from the refugee workforce should prepare for tighter housing timelines.
Parliamentary briefing flags sweeping UK immigration reforms ahead of 17 March debate
A new House of Commons Library briefing released on 11 March distils the government’s post-White-Paper immigration agenda, including settlement rule changes, the four-country visa brake and a planned overhaul of work-visa routes. The document will underpin MPs’ debate on 17 March and signals future compliance and cost implications for UK sponsors.
Home Office reinstates seasonal visa concession for Australian and New Zealand sheep shearers
On 11 March 2026 the government confirmed it will keep, for one more season, the fast-track visa concession that lets Australian and New Zealand sheep-shearers work in the UK for up to three months. The move averts a spring labour shortfall feared by farmers and underscores how sector-specific ‘mini-routes’ can clash with wider migration-cutting goals.
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.