UNITED KINGDOM: Changes to the Immigration Rules

March 16, 2022


On 15 March 2022, the Home Office published its latest Statement of Changes, introducing far-reaching changes to, and across the breadth of, the UK immigration rules.

In the accompanying explanatory memorandum, the Home Office confirms that the purpose of these changes are to “simplify the Immigration Rules, implementing the recommendations of the Law Commission to ensure [the Home Office] provide greater clarity to migrants, employers and all other users of the Rules”

While some initial changes are to take effect from 6 April 2022, the intention is for all changes to be sequentially implemented between that date and 2 August 2022.

Highlights include:

  • the launch of the High Potential Individual (HPI) route, Scale-up route, and the new Global Business Mobility routes (five new routes to replace the four existing routes)
  • a new Appendix Settlement Family Life, simplifying rules of settlement for partners and parents completing a 10-year qualifying period
  • a new Appendix Private Life in a simplified format, with changes for children and young people, including entry into the rules of the 20 October 2021 concession on early settlement
  • a new Appendix Relationship with a Partner, designed to improve consistency in proving relationships (initially applying to Appendix Settlement Family Life only)

Due to the significant number of developments associated with this latest Statement of Changes, in the coming days, Newland Chase will be publishing a series of updates, by taking a deep-dive into each of those key areas of impact.

Organisations and individuals impacted by this development are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice. For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to the UK, please contact us.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.