UK Visa, Sponsor and Caseworker Guidance Changes

Thursday 23 July 2026

Guidance · Change
India Young Professionals Scheme ballots for 2026 have closed, with no more this year
Indian citizens can no longer enter a 2026 India Young Professionals Scheme ballot: all ballots have closed and none will follow this year, with details of future ballots to be published on the guidance…
23 July 2026
Guidance · Change
Carriers that cannot check status: guidance sets out what travellers must show
Guidance published on 23 July 2026 explains what eVisa holders, settled people, dual citizens and others must show a carrier if their status cannot be verified automatically.
23 July 2026

Guidance · Change
Appendix HM Armed Forces now covers children of single serving personnel
Children whose sole parent is a serving member of HM Armed Forces exempt from immigration control can be granted permission under Appendix HM Armed Forces, according to caseworker guidance version 6.0.
19 July 2026 · From 3 August 2026

Guidance · Change
Home Office stops applying modern slavery guidance policy at paragraph 14.227
The Home Office has stopped applying the policy at paragraph 14.227 of its modern slavery guidance following a legal judgment, according to a notice added to the guidance on 17 July 2026.
17 July 2026

Guidance · Report
Border Security Commander publishes first annual report, covering 2025 to 2026
The first Border Security Commander's annual report, published in July 2026, covers the 2025/26 financial year and assesses the UK's border security system against organised immigration crime enabled by small boats.
16 July 2026

Guidance · Change
All 2026 Youth Mobility Scheme ballots have closed; next ballot in 2027
Hong Kong and Taiwan nationals who need a ballot place for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa will have no further 2026 ballot to enter; details of the 2027 ballot will be published on the…
15 July 2026

Guidance · Change
Global Business Mobility caseworker guidance updated on immigration bail
Version 15.0 of the Global Business Mobility routes caseworker guidance, published for Home Office staff on 3 August 2026, lists one change: an update to Part Suitability on immigration bail for all five routes.
14 July 2026 · From 3 August 2026

Guidance · Change
Children aged 8 and over can use UK border eGates from 8 July 2026
Children aged 8 and over can normally use UK border eGates from 8 July 2026, with 8 to 17 year olds accompanied by an adult, Border Force guidance says.
8 July 2026

Guidance · Change
Global Talent adds Design industry discipline, assessed by the Design Business Association
The Home Office guidance on Global Talent endorsing bodies, updated 1 July 2026, lists the Design industry as a discipline considered by the Design Business Association (DBA) for Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise applications.
1 July 2026

Guidance · Change
Code of practice on preventing illegal working updated for employers
Employers carrying out right to work checks should note an updated code of practice setting out the prescribed checks that avoid a civil penalty for illegal working; the source gives no in-force date.
30 June 2026