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ARTICLE · 16 OCTOBER 2026

Summary Of Autumn 2026 Immigration Rule Changes

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
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Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin

Joint managing partners: Jo Farmer, Richard Miskella International offices: Dublin, Hong Kong...

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The UK Home Office has introduced significant changes to its Immigration Rules, including new protections for Skilled Worker visa holders who are victims of modern slavery, measures to prevent abuse of fee waiver processes, and updates to support the UK's participation in Erasmus+ from January 2027. These changes also expand permitted activities for visitors coming to the UK for training or creative purposes.

United KingdomImmigration
Supinder Singh Sian
Supinder Singh Sian
Kathryn Denyer (Lewis Silkin LLP)
Kathryn Denyer (Lewis Silkin LLP)
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Parvin Iman
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On 3 September 2026 the Home Office published its Autumn Immigration Rules update. Key changes include new protections for Skilled Worker visa holders who are victims of modern slavery, measures to prevent abuse of fee waiver and biometrics processes, and updates to support the UK rejoining Erasmus+ from January 2027. There are also some useful expansions of permitted visitor route activities for those receiving training or coming to the UK for creative purposes.

Further details of the changes are outlined below, including when they come into effect.

Changes to Appendix Skilled Worker to support victims of modern slavery

Skilled Worker visa holders are not normally permitted to take up other work if they are not continuing to work in the job they are sponsored to do. However, from 8 October 2026 this restriction may be lifted for any Skilled Worker who has been recognised as a victim of modern slavery.

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