From 8 April 2026, the Home Office will increase immigration and citizenship fees by 6–7% across almost all applications. This article explains what is changing, who is affected, and what action to take.
News
The Home Secretary has said that the changes will be implemented in Autumn 2026 rather than April 2026 and will apply retrospectively.
From 26 March 2026, Afghan nationals will no longer be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. Entry clearance applications on the Student route from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan will also be refused.
The level of English required for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications will increase from CEFR level B1 to level B2 for most immigration routes from 26 March 2027.
Nationals of St Lucia and Nicaragua now need a visit visa to travel to the UK.
Today, the government has taken the first step in a package of reforms to the UK asylum system to make refugee status temporary. Asylum seekers who lodged claims on or after 2 March 2026 will receive permission for two and a half years instead of five years.
The Home Office has announced that the UK government will stop issuing student visas for international students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. Afghan nationals will also be banned from obtaining Skilled Worker visas.
The Government has recently published an updated list of endorsed funders and hosting organisations approved by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) under the Global Talent route 3 (endorsed funders).
The Graduate route visa duration is being reduced from two years to 18 months from 1 January 2027. The Graduate route, previously known as the Post Study Work (“PSW”) visa, enables international students to live and work in the UK without sponsorship after completing their studies.
From 25 November 2025, students will be permitted to be self-employed where they have completed their course and are switching to the Innovator Founder visa route.
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