On 1 July 2025, the Home Office published the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. This update delivers two major policy reforms: significant changes to the Skilled Worker route and the immediate closure of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy to new principal applicants. We summarise the key developments.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
On 24 June, the UK Home Office laid before Parliament a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. These changes focus on technical clarification, policy alignment and the formalisation of prior concessions across various immigration routes. We provide a summary of the key changes taking effect from July 2025.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
On 11 June, the United Kingdom and Spain, alongside the European Commission and the Government of Gibraltar, announced a political agreement on the future relationship between Gibraltar and the European Union. The deal marks a significant milestone in post-Brexit negotiations and provides a framework for Gibraltar’s continued access to the Schengen area, while explicitly preserving UK sovereignty and ensuring continued economic stability. The agreement is designed to secure fluidity at the Gibraltar-Spain border, a key issue for the territory’s workforce and economy. We outline the key elements of the deal and its practical implications.
To view the full alert, visit the Faegre Drinker website.
If implemented, the UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme could provide employers — particularly in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and the arts — with access to a new pool of young and mobile workers without the complexity of sponsorship. The proposed scheme signals a marked softening in cross-border mobility policy and could offer important social and economic opportunities. However, implementation will depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations and political consensus within the United Kingdom.
On 12 May 2025, the UK Government published a major policy document outlining the Government’s plan to reduce legal migration, increase employer compliance obligations, and reshape the immigration system around domestic skills and integration. The proposals signal a shift away from using immigration to meet workforce demand, particularly in lower-paid sectors, and marks a continuation of efforts to reduce net migration to “sustainable levels”. We summarise the key proposed measures.
Continue reading “Restoring Control over the Immigration System — UK Government White Paper”
On 12 March 2025, the UK Home Office laid before Parliament the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. This outlines several significant amendments aimed at refining and updating the United Kingdom’s immigration system, and we summarise key changes.
The Home Office has also announced changes to immigration and nationality fees, which will come into effect on 9 April 2025. These fee adjustments apply to various visa categories, and we give a breakdown of some of the revised fees.