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On 17 July, Government published a Statement of changes to the immigration rules. The changes concern changes to the EU Settlement Scheme, extension of the Ukraine Extension Scheme, changes to the Student route, Asylum, improving clarity regarding withdrawing asylum claims, and changes to the Skilled Worker route. The changes also include updates to the Shortage Occupation List following an interim review by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

These include, for example:

  • To make meeting the deadline for the application a validity rather than an eligibility requirement, treating reasonable grounds for a late application as a preliminary issue, before going on to consider whether a valid application meets the relevant eligibility and suitability requirements.
  • To extend limited leave to enter or remain (pre-settled status), which will be automatically renewed following a recent judgment that found that the right to reside under the Agreements of a person granted pre-settled status does not expire by virtue of failing to make a second application to the EUSS.
  • To close the EUSS family permit on 8 August 2023 to new applications by a family member of a qualifying British citizen, in line with the closure of the EUSS to such applications from that date.
  • The Ukraine Extension Scheme which enables Ukrainian nationals who held permission to enter or stay in the UK on 18 March 2022 to continue their stay in the UK. Ukrainian nationals who obtain permission to enter or stay in the UK for any period between 18 March 2022 and 16 November 2023 can now obtain 36 months’ permission to stay in the UK.
  • Changes to the Student route, including removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes; and removing the ability for international students to switch out of the student route into work routes before their studies have been completed.

Please follow this link to read the full documents relating to these changes.