Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The coronavirus pandemic has become highly significant for immigration practitioners and relevant developments are moving quickly. This subtopic

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Immigration News

Number of Home Office-approved sponsor employers, by visa route, as at 13 February 2026

The below data shows the number of Home Office-approved employer sponsors, according to visa route, as listed on the Home Office’s register of licenced sponsors on the specified date. As at 13 February 2026, Skilled Worker sponsors account for the majority of employers (over 85.95%). 7.37% of sponsors have a Global Business Mobility-Senior or Specialist Worker licence, and the remaining 15 work routes account for the remaining 6.68%.

Remigration by stealth? UKICE analysis looks at the Earned Settlement reforms

UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) has published an analysis by James Bowes on the government’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ reforms. Bowes states that the measures would make it significantly harder for long-term migrants to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and, unlike previous restrictions, would apply not only to new arrivals but also to migrants already in the UK. He estimates that more than two million people already living in the UK could be affected.

Joint letter to Home Office raises concerns on travel data use for pre-settled status decisions

the3million, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association, Rights of Women and other organisations have written a joint letter to the Home Office raising concerns about the proposed reliance on travel data to assess continuity of residence. The letter, dated 11 February 2026, follows the Home Office’s indication that from March 2026 it will begin curtailing pre-settled status where individuals are considered to no longer be resident in the UK.

ONS launches consultation on Standard Occupational Classification 2020 revision

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched a consultation on revising the Standard Occupational Classification 2020 (SOC2020). SOC is a four-digit framework used to classify occupations in the UK by skill level and qualifications, underpinning the Census, labour market statistics and other government functions, including Skilled Worker visa decisions. The ONS proposes revisions to ensure the classification reflects labour market developments arising from technological change, innovation and evolving methods of production and service delivery, while maintaining its suitability for statistical comparison across datasets and over time. Proposed changes include creating new unit groups where job numbers have grown, merging groups where numbers have declined, updating descriptions, incorporating the six-digit extended structure into the four-digit framework, and reviewing entry qualifications and occupational positioning, subject to evidence-based assessment to ensure statistical viability. The consultation closes on 11 May 2026. According to the timetable set out in the overview, the SOC revision cycle could commence in Autumn 2026, and run to Spring 2029.