Under the leadership of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the government is transitioning to a compliance-based immigration system as part of its reforms scheduled for March 2026.
Major new immigration rules include:
- New salary payment compliance rules (from 8 April 2026): Skilled Worker sponsors must ensure the salary meets the required level in each pay period.
- English language requirement increased to B2 for settlement (from 26 March 2027)
- New visa restrictions for certain nationalities (from 26 March 2026): Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan.
- Visitor visa national list changes (from 5 March 2026): nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia must obtain a visa before travel to the UK.
- Shorter permission for new refugees and humanitarian protection cases (from 2 March 2026): leave will be reduced to 30 months permission to stay instead of 5 years.
The Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, published on 5 March 2026, does not mention “Earned Settlement”. However, based on recent interviews with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the new settlement rules are expected to be implemented in Autumn 2026.
If you need advice regarding UK visas, sponsorship licence, or settlement applications, contact our immigration lawyers by calling us on 02037442797 or completing our enquiry form.
New salary payment compliance rules for Skilled Workers
Starting on 8 April 2026, sponsors must ensure Skilled Workers are paid the required salary in each pay period, and the pay must meet the required rate for the hours worked during that pay period. For example, if a Skilled Worker has a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) stating a salary of £41,700, they must receive that amount on a pro-rata basis in every single paycheck.
Previously, salary thresholds were evaluated mainly on an annual basis. However, under the new rules introduced in 2026:
- Employers must ensure that workers receive the required salary during each pay period.
- This means salaries must meet the specified threshold monthly or weekly, depending on the pay cycle.
- Employers must demonstrate that workers are consistently paid the correct salary.
- Underpayment in certain months can now lead to sponsorship compliance issues.
These changes prevent employers from offering unpaid leave or “low-pay” months unless they fall under very specific permitted absences, such as statutory sick pay. This move aims to eliminate “ghost” sponsorships, where workers were effectively underpaid.
For holders of Skilled Worker visas, this means that salary compliance will now be monitored much more closely.
English language requirement increased to B2 for settlement
Currently, most applicants must demonstrate a B1 level of English. However, under the updated rules: Starting in March 2027, applicants for settlement will need to demonstrate a B2 level of English.
This updated requirement represents a higher standard, reflecting the government’s belief that migrants seeking permanent residence should possess stronger language skills for better integration and employment opportunities.
This change will impact several immigration routes to ILR, including:
- Skilled Worker Visa settlement
- Global Talent Visa settlement
- Innovator Founder Visa settlement
- Scale-up Visa settlement
- Representative of an Overseas Business Visa settlement
- UK Ancestry Visa settlement
- International Sportsperson Visa settlement
- Minister of Religion Visa settlement
Applicants planning to apply for settlement after March 2027 should begin preparing early to meet this higher language requirement.
New Visa Restrictions for Certain Nationalities
Effective from 26 March 2026, Nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan cannot apply for a Student Visa from outside the UK.
This restriction is due to the high volume of subsequent asylum claims from these countries. Additionally, Afghan nationals are now prohibited from applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK.
The government has referred to this policy as a “visa brake,” which allows for restrictions on visa access when asylum claims become disproportionately high.
The Home Office has indicated that they are applying a “15% Rule”: if more than 15% of individuals from a specific nationality using a particular migration route claim asylum, that route can be restricted.
Visitor visa national list changes: Nicaragua and St. Lucia
The Home Office has updated the UK Visa National List: nationals from Nicaragua and St. Lucia are now required to apply for a visa before traveling to the UK.
Previously, citizens from these countries faced less restrictive entry requirements. The visa requirement for Nicaragua and St. Lucia is effective immediately, starting at 3:00 PM on March 5, 2026 in order to prevent a “surge” of travelers attempting to beat the deadline.
Travelers from these countries who are already en route to the UK are exempt from this requirement, but anyone else must obtain a visa before heading to the airport.
Shorter permission for new refugees and humanitarian protection cases
Starting from 2 March 2026, individuals who successfully claim asylum will receive a leave period of only 30 months (2.5 years), a decrease from the previous 5 years.
Additionally, the waiting period for refugees to apply for settlement (ILR) is expected to increase significantly, potentially extending up to 20 years for some individuals under new “core protection” models.
Reference:
GOV.UK: Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, 5 March 2026
