In brief
- The Home Office laid Statement of Changes HC 584 on 3 September 2026. It amends 22 parts of the Immigration Rules and does not introduce earned settlement.
- Most changes start on 8 October 2026, including visitor and Erasmus+ changes, a Skilled Worker modern slavery concession, a new refusal ground, fee waiver and biometrics rules, and EU Settlement Scheme travel permit changes.
- Religious worker changes start on 29 October 2026.
- Student maintenance rises to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 elsewhere from 30 November 2026.
- From 9 December 2026, a BRP can no longer be used as proof of identity and nationality under Appendix EU.
- As of 2 November 2026, the 8 and 29 October changes are in force and no amendment of HC 584 has been found.
The Home Office laid a new Statement of Changes, HC 584, before Parliament on 3 September 2026. A Statement of Changes is the document the government uses to amend the Immigration Rules, which set out who can come to or stay in the UK. HC 584 amends 22 parts of the Rules. It does not introduce the earned settlement overhaul.
Key dates
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| 8 October 2026 | Most changes, including visitors, Erasmus+, Skilled Worker, a new refusal ground, fee waivers and biometrics |
| 29 October 2026 | Minister of Religion and Religious Worker routes |
| 30 November 2026 | Student maintenance requirement |
| 9 December 2026 | Expired BRPs under the EU Settlement Scheme |
8 October 2026
Visitors and Erasmus+
The Standard Visitor and Student rules are adapted for the UK's return to Erasmus+, the European exchange programme. Permitted business activities now include skills competitions, workshops and debates. Visitors coming for training no longer have to show that equivalent training is unavailable in their home country.
Skilled Worker modern slavery concession
A new paragraph, SW 18.3, concerns Skilled Workers who are recognised as victims of modern slavery. Those with a positive Conclusive Grounds decision during their current permission are able to work for any employer for the rest of that permission.
New refusal ground
Absconding from immigration bail is already a ground for refusing entry applications. From 8 October it also applies to applications to stay in the UK.
Fee waivers and biometrics
Under paragraph 34G(4), the date a fee waiver is requested will count as the date of application only if the later application meets set conditions. The Explanatory Memorandum, the Home Office's own note on the changes, says this targets people who use a human rights fee waiver request to extend their leave and then switch to a different type of application. Separately, varying an application will not reset the biometrics deadline. The timeframe for the original application still applies.
EU Settlement Scheme travel permits
The Home Office's commencement list places the changes to Appendix EU and Appendix EU (Family Permit) on 8 October. Only the BRP change is deferred to 9 December. The EU Settlement Scheme travel permit is replaced by the Update My Details service, which can be used from outside the UK to link a person's status to a new passport. See our page on settled and pre-settled status.
Other changes
- The Victim of Domestic Abuse route extends to adult dependent children.
- A settlement requirement is introduced for children of British National (Overseas) visa holders.
- The fee is removed for Article 8 claims in the Family Returns Process.
- Long Residence rules change, and Start-up and Tier 1 rules are tidied up.
- Appendix AR (EU) is deleted.
For many of these changes, applications made before 8 October are decided under the Rules in force on 7 October. Not every change has this protection, so check the transitional wording for your route.
29 October 2026: religious workers
The Minister of Religion and Religious Worker appendices are substantially rewritten. Applications made before 29 October are decided under the Rules in force on 28 October. Members of religious orders are exempt from the rule on incidental non-pastoral duties. The overall time limit on the T2 Minister of Religion route is removed. The Religious Worker route drops the sponsor advertising requirement. Applicants must show genuine affiliation, including at least six months of relevant duties beforehand.
30 November 2026: student maintenance
Maintenance funds are the money a Student visa applicant must show they hold. The monthly figures rise as follows.
| Location | Current | From 30 November | Nine months |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £1,570 | £14,130 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £1,203 | £10,827 |
The accommodation offset rises from £1,529 to £1,570. It applies only to payments made to the student's sponsor, not to a private landlord. The Explanatory Memorandum says the rise aligns with 2026/27 maintenance loans for home students. Applications made before 30 November are decided under the Rules in force on 29 November. What counts is the date of application, not the date the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) was issued.
9 December 2026: expired BRPs
From 9 December, a biometric residence permit (BRP) can no longer be used as proof of identity and nationality under Appendix EU. The Explanatory Memorandum says almost all BRPs had expired by 31 December 2024.
Since then
As of 2 November 2026, we have found no withdrawal or amendment of HC 584. The changes due on 8 October and 29 October are now in force. Those due on 30 November and 9 December are still to come. On 26 October 2026, caseworker guidance on EU Settlement Scheme family and travel permits was updated to reflect the closure of the travel permit.
How Garth Coates Solicitors can help
If you are planning an application or manage a sponsor licence, these changes may affect the timing and basis of your plans. Please request a consultation and we will explain how the Rules apply to your circumstances.
This article is general information and was correct on 3 November 2026. It is not legal advice on your circumstances; immigration rules and fees change often. For advice on your case, request a consultation.
