Nationals of Nauru are now subject to a UK visit visa requirement with immediate effect, following the launch of the country’s Citizenship by Investment programme.
The Home Office has published a further Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, the seventh issued in 2025. The changes introduce an immediate visit visa requirement for nationals of Nauru. They also bring forward the closure of the Service Providers from Switzerland route. In addition, they make a number of amendments across the EU Settlement Scheme and other areas of the Rules.
Visa Requirement for Nauru
The most significant measure is the introduction of a visa requirement for all visitors holding Nauruan nationality. The change came into force at 3:00pm on 9 December 2025. From that point onwards, Nauruan nationals are no longer eligible to travel to the UK using an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and must instead obtain a visit visa prior to travel.
A limited transitional arrangement applies. Individuals who obtained an ETA before 3:00pm on 9 December 2025 and who hold a confirmed booking to travel to the UK may continue to rely on that authorisation, provided they arrive no later than 3:00pm on 20 January 2026.
Ministerial Statement and Rationale
In his written statement to the House of Commons, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp MP, confirmed the rationale for the change, stating:
“We are, today, introducing a visa requirement on all visitors from Nauru. This will come into force at 15:00 GMT on 9 December 2025”
The Minister explained that the decision followed the recent introduction of a Citizenship by Investment programme by the Nauruan authorities. He noted that such schemes carry inherent risks, adding:
“The practice of granting citizenship through investment is inherently high-risk and allows individuals access to a new identity with minimal ties to the issuing jurisdiction.”
According to the Home Office’s assessment, the current design of Nauru’s programme gives rise to significant concerns in relation to border security and immigration control. Mr Tapp stated that:
“Careful consideration of Nauru’s programme has highlighted significant risks to UK border and national security. Its design is particularly vulnerable to misuse and, in its current form, poses an unsustainable risk of exploitation by criminal actors or individuals seeking to circumvent UK immigration controls.”
He further observed that the Government lacked sufficient confidence in the robustness of the programme’s vetting and due diligence processes, concluding that the risk profile justified immediate action through changes to the Immigration Rules.
The Minister emphasised that the measure was taken solely on security grounds and did not reflect a change in the UK’s broader relationship with Nauru, describing it as “a Commonwealth partner”.
Closure of the Service Providers from Switzerland Route
The Statement of Changes also confirms that the Service Providers from Switzerland (SPS) route will close on 31 December 2025. The SPS route was established following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union to give effect to the UK-Switzerland Citizens’ Rights Agreement, enabling certain Swiss and UK businesses to continue servicing qualifying cross-border contracts entered into before the end of the transition period.
No new applications will be accepted after the closure date.
Amendments to the EU Settlement Scheme
A number of targeted amendments are being made to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). These include changes to align the powers to cancel pre-settled status at the border with those already available within the UK. The Rules will now expressly permit cancellation where it is considered more likely than not that an individual has assisted another person to obtain EUSS status by fraudulent means after the end of the transition period.
In addition, the scope of the EUSS travel permit is being widened. EUSS status holders who are outside the UK and unable to access or update their UKVI account such as where they have obtained a new passport or travel document will be able to apply for a travel permit to facilitate their return to the UK.
Other Changes
Further amendments include a number of technical and corrective changes across the Immigration Rules. These clarify that leave for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children will only be considered once an application for refugee status or humanitarian protection has been refused.
Adjustments are also being made to the Family and Private Life routes to address issues arising from earlier consequential amendments linked to the introduction of Part 9 (Suitability) in November 2025.
In addition, a requirement under Appendix ECAA Settlement for certain Turkish business persons to demonstrate that they can support family members without recourse to public funds has been reinstated. The Home Office acknowledged that this provision had been removed in error in late 2020.
Commencement
While the visa requirement for Nauruan nationals took effect immediately, the remaining changes set out in the Statement of Changes will come into force on 30 December 2025 and 1 January 2026, as specified in the Rules.
Conclusion
This latest Statement of Changes reflects the Government’s continued focus on protecting the integrity of the UK’s immigration system, particularly in response to developments overseas that are considered to increase risk to border security. The immediate introduction of a visit visa requirement for nationals of Nauru highlights the Home Office’s willingness to act swiftly where concerns arise in relation to citizenship by investment schemes.
Alongside this, the closure of the Service Providers from Switzerland route and the changes to the EU Settlement Scheme further tighten and clarify the Immigration Rules. These amendments reflect the continued development of the post-Brexit immigration framework. Practitioners and affected individuals should note the different commencement dates and plan future travel and applications accordingly.
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