The government tabled amendments on 12 October 2026 to the Immigration and Asylum Bill on Article 8 family life claims and late asylum claims; the bill enters line-by-line scrutiny next week.
The government has tabled two amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, announced on 12 October 2026. The bill is still before Parliament and the amendments are not yet law.
The first amendment concerns Article 8 (right to private and family life) claims. Courts would have to consider how long and how often a parent has been in contact with their child when deciding whether family life exists. The amendments also aim to stop people strengthening an Article 8 claim by moving back into the family home shortly before making it. This follows the bill's definition of "family life" as typically restricted to core, co-habiting family relationships.
The second amendment concerns claims made late. Under the new rules, an immigration claim made at the last minute without good reason could damage a person's credibility. Decision makers would be required to factor in the timing of evidence when considering claims. This builds on measures already in the bill to introduce an expedited decision-making process for late claims.
The government describes the amendments as part of a wider package. Other measures in the bill, as the announcement describes them:
- a mechanism requiring asylum seekers who receive taxpayer-funded accommodation and other support to contribute to the costs when they are financially able to; this would be a flat rate charge, with eligible adults making regular payments above a threshold set by the Home Secretary
- an Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA), with a single appeal route process
- a single definition of a protection claim, combining refugee status and humanitarian protection
The bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons in July with a majority of 174. The announcement says it will enter the line-by-line scrutiny stage next week.
What this means for applicants
Nothing changes yet, because the bill and its amendments have not been enacted. If the amendments are passed, courts would have to consider how long and how often a parent has been in contact with their child when deciding whether family life exists. Immigration claims made late without good reason could damage a person's credibility, and decision makers would have to factor in the timing of evidence. The announcement gives no commencement date.
Related guide
https://ukvisa.blog/human-rights-uk-visa/
Sources
- Migrants exploiting human rights laws targeted in fresh reforms, GOV.UK, 12 October 2026