The Home Office published a statement of changes to the immigration rules affecting multiple routes and protections. The headline measure allows Skilled Worker visa holders who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision recognising them as victims of modern slavery to leave their employer and work for any other employer, be self-employed, or volunteer for the remainder of their visa.
Most of the new rules take effect on 8 October 2026. Other specific changes in the statement include:
- Extending the Victim of Domestic Abuse route so that adult dependent children can be protected under that route.
- Erasmus+ programme.
- Removing the application fee for human rights claims made by family members in the Family Returns Process.
Modern slavery decisions and expected consequences
EU Settlement Scheme notification letters
Scheme to say their status was granted in error. The notification does not cancel status outright but has practical consequences:
- People with settled status who are told their grant was in error can no longer sponsor family members.
The3million, an organisation representing EU citizens, says it is seeing the policy applied even where there was no error in the original decision. The group is challenging the Home Office with Wilsons Solicitors.
Free Movement flagged a change in operational practice: the Home Office is cancelling Skilled Worker leave much faster after an end of sponsorship report than in previous years. One reported case involved cancellation three weeks after a report. That indicates tighter enforcement and means affected employees need to act quickly if sponsorship ends.
Court challenge to the student visa brake
Graduate visa and practical guidance
Free Movement has updated its briefing on applying for a graduate visa. The update covers the six Appendix Graduate requirement categories, current fees and grants, and switching options available once the visa ends. This is practical material for recent graduates considering next steps.
- The effect of faster conclusive grounds decisions on referral volumes and labour market movements for Skilled Worker visa holders.
- Operational practice around end-of-sponsorship reports and the window available to affected workers to regularise status or find new sponsors.
