Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584, 3 September 2026

UK Home Office published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules on 3 September 2026. HC 584 introduces changes affecting several UK immigration routes and applicant groups. First, it provides new protections for Skilled Workers recognised as victims of modern slavery. It also addresses adult dependent children affected by domestic abuse and Hong Kong BN(O) families. Additionally, it changes provisions for EUSS applicants, students, visitors and Erasmus+ participants.

Most of the changes will take effect on 8 October 2026. The amendments concerning the religious work routes, Student route maintenance funds and the use of expired biometric residence permits under the EU Settlement Scheme will begin on later dates.

Below, we consider the principal changes and what they will mean for those affected.

A Skilled Worker’s permission is ordinarily linked to the employer named as their sponsor. This can place an exploited worker in a difficult position. Leaving the employer may protect them from further abuse. However, it may also put their immigration status and right to work at risk.

A new paragraph, SW 18.3, will allow certain Skilled Workers who have been recognised as victims of modern slavery to have their employment conditions amended.

To qualify, the worker must:

• have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism;
• have received a positive Conclusive Grounds decision; and
• have received that decision during their most recent period of permission.

Where the conditions are amended, the individual will be permitted to work for any employer for the remainder of their existing visa. Self-employment and voluntary work will also be allowed. Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach will remain prohibited.

Home Office states that the change aims to encourage earlier reports of exploitation. Furthermore, it seeks to prevent employers from using immigration status to control workers.

This is an important protection, although it does not apply to every worker who has experienced poor treatment, wage underpayment or an employment dispute. The person must first receive a positive Conclusive Grounds decision confirming that they are a victim of modern slavery.

Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse will now cover certain adult dependent children. This applies where their relationship with a parent has permanently broken down because of abuse. Additionally, it covers relationship breakdowns involving a parent’s partner.

Previously, the route principally addressed individuals whose relationship with their partner had ended because of domestic abuse, together with their dependent children. The revised provisions recognise that an adult child may also depend on an abusive parent for their immigration status.

An eligible applicant must be aged 18 or over and must have, or have last been granted, permission in one of the immigration categories specified in Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse. The relationship with the relevant parent or parent’s partner must have broken down permanently as a result of domestic abuse.

Part Suitability is being amended so that an applicant may be treated as having breached immigration laws if they previously acted to frustrate immigration controls.

This can include failing to report as required under immigration bail conditions or absconding from bail or custody.

The relevant discretionary refusal provision previously applied to people seeking entry to the UK. From 8 October 2026, it will also apply to applications made from within the UK.

As the ground is discretionary, the existence of the relevant conduct will not necessarily result in refusal in every case. UK Home Office will need to consider the applicant’s individual circumstances when deciding whether refusal is appropriate.

Families in the Family Returns Process will be able to raise an Article 8 family or private life claim directly with Home Office staff.

They will not be required to:

• submit a formal immigration application;
• use a specified application form; or
• pay an application fee.

The Family Returns Process applies to certain families with children who have been informed that they are due to be removed or required to leave the UK.

UK Home Office states that this procedure already operates in practice. The amendments to Appendix FM and Appendix Private Life will provide a formal basis for it in the Immigration Rules and align the position of families in the Family Returns Process with that of people in immigration detention.

Paragraph 34G is being amended to clarify when an applicant can rely on the date of a fee waiver request as the date of their subsequent immigration application.

For the earlier date to apply, the application submitted after the fee waiver decision must be made under the same immigration route identified in the fee waiver request. It must also be submitted within the applicable period, normally ten working days after the fee waiver decision.

If the applicant submits an application under a different route, the date of application will be the date on which that new application is submitted, rather than the date of the original fee waiver request.

UK Home Office states that the amendment aims to prevent misuse of fee waiver requests. Some applicants may use a human rights application to extend their permission under section 3C. Subsequently, they may vary it to a non-human-rights application.

A new paragraph 34BB(2A) confirms that varying an immigration application does not provide a fresh period in which to enrol biometrics.

Where an application is varied, the applicant must still provide their biometrics within the deadline set for the original application.

This requirement already exists under the biometric registration regulations, but it will now appear expressly in the Immigration Rules. Applicants should not assume that submitting a variation removes or replaces an outstanding biometric enrolment deadline.

UK is due to participate in Erasmus+ again from 2027. Several immigration routes are being amended to allow students, schools, educational institutions, trainees and other participants to take part.

State-funded schools and academies will be able to host Erasmus+ participants for study placements lasting up to six months.

Erasmus+ visitors will also be permitted to undertake activities including:

• courses and training at participating UK organisations;
• traineeships lasting up to 30 days;
• job shadowing and practical learning;
• coaching or training assignments at sports organisations; and
• giving or receiving training.

All visitors, not only Erasmus+ participants, will also be allowed to attend workshops, debates and skills competitions, subject to the relevant Visitor route requirements.

Erasmus+ participants will be able to study courses at RQF Level 2 or above, or SCQF Level 5 or above in Scotland, even where the programme does not lead to an approved qualification.

The usual restrictions governing work placements will also be relaxed for eligible Erasmus+ courses. Such placements will not be subject to the normal limits on the proportion of a course that may be spent on work experience.

State-funded schools and academies participating in Erasmus+ will be able to sponsor Student and Child Student applicants where they hold the appropriate sponsor licence.

Erasmus+ is being added to the Government Authorised Exchange schemes. This will cover eligible traineeships, teaching placements and training assignments, with placements lasting for a maximum of 12 months under the scheme.

HC 584 makes several amendments to the EU Settlement Scheme.

A person may stop meeting the original eligibility requirements for pre-settled status. However, they may remain within the EU Settlement Scheme in certain circumstances. This applies where removing or curtailing their status would be disproportionate.

This is intended to protect a small number of people whose eligibility has been affected by circumstances such as an unexpected change in their family situation.

Generally, a first-time joining family member will have three months to apply under the EUSS. This period begins after their most recent lawful UK entry following 31 December 2020.

Additional requirements may apply where an earlier application was refused or rejected after the person entered without an EUSS family permit.

The Rules will recognise the position of a child with pre-settled status whose EU citizen parent was formerly a worker or self-employed person in the UK.

Where the requirements are met, the child may retain pre-settled status while completing their education. Later, they may also qualify for settled status. Furthermore, their primary carer and certain dependants under 18 may obtain or retain status. However, this must be necessary for the child’s education to continue in the UK.

The EUSS travel permit route is being removed. A person who obtains a new passport should instead use the “Update My Details” service to link the new document to their immigration status, including when they are outside the UK.

The EU Settlement Scheme administrative review route will also be removed from the Rules because it closed to new applications in April 2024 and all existing applications have now been concluded.

From 9 December 2026, applicants will no longer be able to use an expired biometric residence permit to prove their identity and nationality when applying under the EU Settlement Scheme.

A dependent child on the Hong Kong BN(O) route will no longer have to complete a separate five-year period of continuous residence before qualifying for settlement.

A child who is under 18 on the date of application may qualify for settlement alongside a parent who meets the relevant settlement requirements, provided the child’s most recent permission was granted under the Hong Kong BN(O) route.

This change should prevent an eligible child from having to wait until they have completed their own five-year qualifying period before obtaining settlement alongside their parent.

A number of further permitted activities under the Visitor route are being amended.

Visitors undertaking training in the UK will no longer need to demonstrate that the training is unavailable in their home country.

Artists, entertainers and musicians will be permitted to attend rehearsals in the UK. Meanwhile, qualifying entertainment staff may assist with certain permitted activities. Additionally, the Rules will introduce a definition of “entertainment staff”. This will limit the provision to those supporting an event’s preparation and operation.

Changes to Appendix T2 Minister of Religion and Appendix Temporary Work – Religious Worker will take effect on 29 October 2026.

Members of religious orders applying under the T2 Minister of Religion route will be exempt from the restriction concerning roles involving mainly non-pastoral duties. The overall limit on the amount of time a person may spend under this route is also being removed.

Some Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. In such cases, an A-rated sponsor may certify the worker’s maintenance and accommodation. Additionally, this certification may cover any eligible dependants.

For the Temporary Work – Religious Worker route, the requirement concerning recruitment advertising will be replaced with a requirement to demonstrate an established affiliation with the sponsoring faith-based organisation.

From 30 November 2026, Student visa applicants will need to demonstrate higher levels of maintenance funds.

The monthly requirements will increase:

• from £1,529 to £1,570 for study in London; and
• from £1,171 to £1,203 for study outside London.

The funds must normally be held for each month of the course, up to a maximum of nine months. The maximum amount that may be deducted for qualifying accommodation payments will also increase.

Applicants submitting their applications before 30 November 2026 will be considered under the Rules in force on 29 November 2026.

The Statement also removes provisions for applications that can no longer be made under the Tier 1 (Investor), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Start-up routes. Dependants may still apply under the Start-up route where the relevant requirements are met.

Appendix Child Relative (Sponsor with Protection) will include an express eligibility requirement allowing an entry clearance application to be refused where the applicant is over 18.

Changes to Appendix Long Residence clarify the Immigration Health Charge requirements for varied applications. Specifically, this applies when the Home Office varies an application under Appendix FM. It also covers variations under Appendix Private Life. However, the varied application may be rejected as invalid if the required charge remains unpaid. This applies where no relevant waiver has been requested and granted.

The main commencement dates are:

• 8 October 2026: most changes, including those affecting Skilled Workers, domestic abuse victims, Erasmus+, the EU Settlement Scheme and Hong Kong BN(O) children;
• 29 October 2026: changes to the T2 Minister of Religion and Temporary Work – Religious Worker routes;
• 30 November 2026: increased Student route maintenance requirements; and
• 9 December 2026: removal of the option to use an expired biometric residence permit for an EU Settlement Scheme application.

Transitional provisions apply to a number of the amendments. In many cases, an application submitted before the relevant commencement date will be decided under the Immigration Rules in force immediately before that date. The precise position depends on the route and the particular amendment involved.

The Home Office has stated that related caseworker guidance will be updated when the changes come into effect.

Although many of the amendments are intended to clarify or extend existing provisions, the effect on an individual application will depend on the applicant’s immigration history, current permission and date of application. If you are concerned about how HC 584 may affect your immigration position or a forthcoming UK visa application, call us on 0203 959 3335 or email us at [email protected].