Policy paper

Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1491, 9 December 2025 (accessible)

Updated 11 December 2025

Presented to Parliament pursuant to section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971

Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 9 December 2025

(This document is accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum)

Statement of changes in Immigration Rules^{[footnote 1]}

The Home Secretary has made the changes hereinafter stated in the rules laid down by them as to the practice to be followed in the administration of the Immigration Acts for regulating entry into and the stay of persons in the United Kingdom and contained in the statement laid before Parliament on 23 May 1994 (HC 395) as amended. The amending statements were laid before, or presented to, Parliament on 20 September 1994 (Cm 2663), 26 October 1995 (HC 797), 4 January 1996 (Cm 3073), 7 March 1996 (HC 274), 2 April 1996 (HC 329), 29 August 1996 (Cm 3365), 31 October 1996 (HC 31), 27 February 1997 (HC 338), 29 May 1997 (Cm 3669), 5 June 1997 (HC 26), 30 July 1997 (HC 161), 11 May 1998 (Cm 3953), 7 October 1998 (Cm 4065), 18 November 1999 (HC 22), 28 July 2000 (HC 704), 20 September 2000 (Cm 4851), 28 August 2001 (Cm 5253), 16 April 2002 (HC 735), 27 August 2002 (Cm 5597), 7 November 2002 (HC 1301), 26 November 2002 (HC 104), 8 January 2003 (HC 180), 10 February 2003 (HC 389), 31 March 2003 (HC 538), 30 May 2003 (Cm 5829), 24 August 2003 (Cm 5949), 12 November 2003 (HC 1224), 17 December 2003 (HC 95), 12 January 2004 (HC 176), 26 February 2004 (HC 370), 31 March 2004 (HC 464), 29 April 2004 (HC 523), 3 August 2004 (Cm 6297), 24 September 2004 (Cm 6339), 18 October 2004 (HC 1112), 20 December 2004 (HC 164), 11 January 2005 (HC 194), 7 February 2005 (HC 302), 22 February 2005 (HC 346), 24 March 2005 (HC 486), 15 June 2005 (HC 104), 12 July 2005 (HC 299), 24 October 2005 (HC 582), 9 November 2005 (HC 645), 21 November 2005 (HC 697), 19 December 2005 (HC 769), 23 January 2006 (HC 819), 1 March 2006 (HC 949), 30 March 2006 (HC 1016), 20 April 2006 (HC 1053), 19 July 2006 (HC 1337), 18 September 2006 (Cm 6918), 7 November 2006 (HC 1702), 11 December 2006 (HC 130), 19 March 2007 (HC 398), 3 April 2007 (Cm 7074), 4 April 2007 (Cm 7075), 7 November 2007 (HC 28), 13 November 2007 (HC 40), 19 November 2007 (HC 82), 6 February 2008 (HC 321), 17 March 2008 (HC 420), 9 June 2008 (HC 607), 10 July 2008 (HC 951), 15 July 2008 (HC 971), 4 November 2008 (HC 1113), 9 February 2009 (HC 227), 9 March 2009 (HC 314), 24 April 2009 (HC 413), 9 September 2009 (Cm 7701), 23 September 2009 (Cm 7711), 10 December 2009 (HC 120), 10 February 2010 (HC 367), 18 March 2010 (HC 439), 28 June 2010 (HC 59), 15 July 2010 (HC 96), 22 July 2010 (HC 382), 19 August 2010 (Cm 7929), 1 October 2010 (Cm 7944), 21 December 2010 (HC 698), 16 March 2011 (HC 863), 31 March 2011 (HC 908), 13 June 2011 (HC 1148), 19 July 2011 (HC 1436), 10 October 2011 (HC 1511), 7 November 2011 (HC 1622), 8 December 2011 (HC 1693), 20 December 2011 (HC 1719), 19 January 2012 (HC 1733), 15 March 2012 (HC 1888), 4 April 2012 (Cm 8337), 13 June 2012 (HC 194), 9 July 2012 (HC 514), 19 July 2012 (Cm 8423), 5 September 2012 (HC 565), 22 November 2012 (HC 760), 12 December 2012 (HC 820), 20 December 2012 (HC 847), 30 January 2013 (HC 943), 7 February 2013 (HC 967), 11 March 2013 (HC 1038), 14 March 2013 (HC 1039), 9 April 2013 (Cm 8599), 10 June 2013 (HC 244), 31 July 2013 (Cm 8690), 6 September 2013 (HC 628), 9 October 2013 (HC 686), 8 November 2013 (HC 803), 9 December 2013 (HC 887), 10 December 2013 (HC 901), 18 December 2013 (HC 938), 10 March 2014 (HC 1130), 13 March 2014 (HC 1138), 1 April 2014 (HC 1201), 10 June 2014 (HC 198), 10 July 2014 (HC 532), 16 October 2014 (HC 693), 26 February 2015 (HC 1025), 16 March 2015 (HC1116), 13 July 2015 (HC 297), 17 September 2015 (HC 437), 29 October 2015 (HC535), 11 March 2016 (HC 877), 3 November 2016 (HC 667), 16 March 2017 (HC 1078), 20 July 2017 (HC 290), 7 December 2017 (HC 309), 15 March 2018 (HC 895), 15 June 2018 (HC 1154), 20 July 2018 (Cm 9675), 11 October 2018 (HC 1534), 11 December 2018 (HC 1779), 20 December 2018 (HC 1849), 7 March 2019 (HC 1919), 1 April 2019 (HC 2099), 9 September 2019 (HC 2631), 24 October 2019 (HC 170), 30 January 2020 (HC 56), 12 March 2020 (HC 120), 14 May 2020 (CP 232), 10 September 2020 (HC 707), 22 October 2020 (HC 813), 10 December 2020 (HC 1043), 31 December 2020 (CP 361), 4 March 2021 (HC 1248), 10 September 2021 (HC 617), 11 October 2021 (CP 542), 1 November 2021 (HC 803), 14 December 2021 (HC 913), 24 January 2022 (HC 1019), 17 February 2022 (CP 632), 15 March 2022 (HC 1118), 29 March 2022 (HC 1220), 11 May 2022 (HC 17), 20 July 2022 (HC 511), 18 October 2022 (HC 719), 9 March 2023 (HC 1160), 17 July 2023 (HC 1496), 19 July 2023 (HC 1715), 7 September 2023 (HC 1780), 7 December 2023 (HC 246), 15 February 2024 (HC 556), 14 March 2024 (HC 590), 10 September 2024 (HC 217), 26 November 2024 (HC 344), 12 March 2025 (HC 733), 24 June 2025 (HC 836), 1 July 2025 (HC 997), 5 August 2025 (CP 1373) and 14 October 2025 (HC 1333).

Implementation

The following paragraphs shall take effect at 1500 on 9 December 2025:

• APP VN1 to APP VN3

• APP ETANL1

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 30 December 2025:

• 11.1

• APP ECAAS1

• APP EU1

• APP EU(FP)1 and APP EU(FP)2

• APP FM1 to APP FM31

• APP ADR1

• APP VDA1

• APP AD1 to APP AD4

• APP S1 to APP S3

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 1 January 2026:

• APP AR(EU)1

• APP SPS1

Review

Before the end of each review period, the Secretary of State undertakes to review all of the relevant Immigration Rules including any Relevant Rule amended or added by these changes. The Secretary of State will set out the conclusions of the review in a report and publish the report.

The report must in particular:

(a) consider each of the Relevant Rules and whether or not each Relevant Rule achieves its objectives and is still appropriate; and

(b) assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposes less regulation.

“Review period” means:

(a) the period of five years beginning on 6 April 2017; and

(b) subject to the paragraph below, each successive period of five years.

If a report under this provision is published before the last day of the review period to which it relates, the following review period is to begin with the day on which that report is published.

“Relevant Rule” means an Immigration Rule which:

imposes requirements, restrictions or conditions, or sets standards, in relation to any activity carried on by a business or voluntary or community body; or

relates to the securing of compliance with, or the enforcement of, requirements, restrictions, conditions or standards which relate to any activity carried on by a business or voluntary or community body.

Changes to Part 11

11.1. For paragraph 352ZC(b), substitute:

“(b) the applicant must have applied for asylum and been refused refugee

status and Humanitarian Protection;”.

Changes to Appendix AR(EU)

APP AR(EU)1. For Appendix AR (EU), substitute:

Appendix AR (EU) Eligible decisions

AR(EU)A1. An application for administrative review of an eligible decision made under Appendix EU, Appendix EU (Family Permit) or Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor may only be made in accordance with this Appendix. Appendix AR does not apply to such applications.

AR(EU)1.1. An applicant may only apply for an administrative review where an eligible decision has been made. An eligible decision is a decision to:

(a) Refuse an application under paragraph EU6 of Appendix EU because the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for indefinite leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU11, EU11A or EU12 or for limited leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU14 or EU14A; or

(b) Grant limited leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU3 of Appendix EU and not indefinite leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU2; or

(c) Grant limited leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU3A of Appendix EU and not indefinite leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU2A; or

(d) Cancel leave granted under Appendix EU on the grounds that the person ceases to meet the requirements of that Appendix for that leave; or

(e) Cancel leave to enter granted by virtue of having arrived in the UK with an entry clearance that was granted under Appendix EU (Family Permit) where since the entry clearance was granted, there has been a change in circumstances that is, or would have been, relevant to that person’s eligibility for that entry clearance, such that their leave to enter ought to be cancelled; or

(f) Refuse an application under paragraph HV9.1 of Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor because the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for permission to enter or remain as an S2 Healthcare Visitor; or

(g) Cancel permission to enter to a person who holds entry clearance under Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor, where, since the entry clearance was granted, there has been a change in circumstances which means the person no longer meets the eligibility requirements for permission to enter; or

(h) Refuse permission to enter to a non-visa national seeking to come to the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor for 6 months or less, because they do not meet the eligibility requirements of Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor.

AR(EU)1.2. An applicant may not apply for an administrative review where a decision has been made to:

(a) Refuse an application under paragraph EU6 of Appendix EU on suitability grounds as set out in paragraph EU15 or EU16; or

(aa) Refuse an application under paragraph EU6 of Appendix EU both:

(i) on suitability grounds as set out in paragraph EU15 or EU16; and

(ii) because the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for indefinite leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU11, EU11A or EU12 or for limited leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU14 or EU14A; or

(b) Refuse an application under paragraph HV9.1 of Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor where the suitability requirements are not met; or

(c) Refuse permission to enter to a person who holds entry clearance under Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor, where, since the entry clearance was granted, there has been a change in circumstances which means the person no longer meets the suitability requirements for permission to enter.

AR(EU)1.3. An applicant may not apply for an administrative review where their application has been rejected as invalid under paragraph EU10(1) of Appendix EU or paragraph HV1.7. of Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor.

AR(EU)1.4. An applicant may not apply for an administrative review of an eligible decision, as defined in paragraph AR(EU)1.1., where that decision was made on or after 5 October 2023.

Validity requirements

AR(EU)1.5. A person applying for administrative review (EU) must apply online on the Administrative Review form on the gov.uk website.

AR(EU)1.6. An application for administrative review (EU) must meet all the following requirements:

(a) any fee must have been paid; and

(b) documents specified as mandatory on the online application form must be submitted in the specified manner no more than 7 calendar days after the day on which the online application form is submitted; and

(c) the application must have been made within the relevant time period set out in AR(EU)1.7.

AR(EU)1.7. The time limit for making an application for administrative review (EU) is:

(a) where the applicant is in the UK and not detained, no more than 28 calendar days after receipt by the applicant of the notice of the eligible decision.

(b) where the applicant is in detention in the UK under the Immigration Acts, no more than 7 calendar days after receipt by the applicant of the notice of the eligible decision.

(c) where the applicant is overseas, no more than 28 calendar days after receipt by the applicant of notice of the eligible decision.

AR(EU)1.8. An application for administrative review (EU) is made on the date which it is submitted.

AR(EU)1.9. An application for administrative review (EU) which does not meet all the validity requirements for administrative review must be rejected as invalid and not considered.

AR(EU)1.10. Where a person has a pending administrative review under this Appendix, it may be withdrawn by the applicant. A request to withdraw an application must be made in writing to the Home Office at the address provided for that purpose on the visa and immigration pages of the gov.uk website and in accordance with the guidance provided at Administrative Review on the gov.uk website. The application will be treated as withdrawn on the date when the request is received.

AR(EU)1.11. An application for administrative review under this Appendix will be withdrawn if a valid application is made under Appendix EU, Appendix EU (Family Permit) or Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor.

AR(EU)1.12. Where an application for administrative review of an eligible decision as defined in AR(EU)1.1. was made before 4 April 2024, the requirements of Appendix AR (EU) (with the exception of AR(EU)4.1.) in force on 3 April 2024 will be applied.

Consideration

AR(EU)2.1. The person considering the administrative review on behalf of the Secretary of State (“the reviewer”) will decide whether the decision is incorrect because:

(a) The decision maker failed to apply, or incorrectly applied, the relevant Immigration Rules;

(b) The decision maker failed to apply, or incorrectly applied, the published guidance in relation to the application; or

(c) Information or evidence that was not before the decision maker has been provided to the reviewer which shows that the applicant qualifies for:

(i) a grant, or a different grant, of leave under Appendix EU; or

(ii) permission to enter or stay in the UK under Appendix S2 Healthcare Visitor.

AR(EU)2.2. Where the reviewer considers that the decision is incorrect in accordance with paragraph AR(EU)2.1., the decision will be withdrawn and a new decision made. Otherwise, the decision will be maintained.

AR(EU)2.3. The reviewer will consider any information and evidence submitted with the application for administrative review, including information and evidence that was not before the original decision-maker.

AR(EU)2.4. The reviewer may contact the applicant or their representative to request further information or evidence, to be provided within a reasonable timeframe specified in the request.

AR(EU)2.5. The reviewer will notify the applicant of the outcome of the administrative review by notice under Appendix SN.

Applications for administrative review

AR(EU)3.1. An application for administrative review under this Appendix is decided when:

(a) It is rejected as invalid because it does not meet the requirements of AR(EU)1.5. to AR(EU)1.8. of these Rules;

(b) It is withdrawn in accordance with AR(EU)1.10. or AR(EU)1.11. of these Rules; or

(c) The notice of outcome is served in accordance with Appendix SN.

Effect of a pending administrative review on liability for removal

AR(EU)4.1. Where an administrative review under this Appendix is pending, and the applicant has not left the UK, or has been granted entry into the UK (which does not include a person granted immigration bail), the Home Office will not seek to remove them from the UK.

AR(EU)4.2. For the purposes of paragraph AR(EU)4.1., an administrative review is pending where:

(a) An application for administrative review can be made in accordance with these Rules; or

(b) An application for administrative review has been made and has not yet been decided.

AR(EU)4.3. However, an administrative review is not pending where the applicant has waived their right to apply for an administrative review of an eligible decision by signing an administrative review waiver form.”.

Changes to Appendix ECAA Settlement

APP ECAAS1. For ECAA 4.1(f), substitute:

“(f) not be in breach of UK immigration laws, except that, where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded; and

(g) have been able to support any family members with them without recourse to public funds to which they are not entitled.”.

Changes to Appendix EU

APP EU1. In Annex 3, for A3.3, substitute:

“A3.3. A person’s limited leave to enter or remain granted under this Appendix may be cancelled on or before their arrival in the UK where the Secretary of State or an Immigration Officer is satisfied that it is proportionate to cancel that leave where:

(a) The person ceases to meet, or never met, the requirements of this Appendix; or

(b) Cancellation is justified on grounds that it is more likely than not that, after the specified date, the person has assisted another person fraudulently to obtain, or to attempt to obtain, entry clearance to, or leave to enter or remain in, the UK.”.

Changes to Appendix EU (Family Permit)

APP EU(FP)1. For FP6(3), substitute:

“(3) The applicant meets the eligibility requirements for an entry clearance to be granted under this Appendix in the form of an EU Settlement Scheme Travel Permit, where the entry clearance officer is satisfied that at the date of application:

(a) The applicant is not a British citizen;

(b) The applicant has been granted indefinite leave to enter or remain or limited leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU to these Rules, which has not lapsed or been cancelled, curtailed, revoked or invalidated and which is evidenced by the Home Office reference number for that grant of leave;

and

(c) The applicant will be travelling to the UK within six months of the date of application.”.

APP EU(FP)2. In Annex 1, in sub-paragraph (b) of the definition of ‘required proof of identity and nationality’, for “non-EEA citizen” substitute “non-EEA citizen”.

Changes to Appendix FM

APP FM1. For GEN.3.1(2), substitute:

“(2) Where the financial requirement in paragraph E-ECP.3.1., E-LTRP.3.1., E-LTRP.3.7 (in the context of an application for limited leave to remain as a partner), E-ECC.2.1., E-ECC.2.5., E-LTRC.2.1., or E-LTRC.2.5. is met following consideration under sub-paragraph (1) (and provided that the other relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules are also met and D-ECP.1.2A.,D-LTRP.1.2A., D-ECC.1.1A and D-LTRC.1.1A do not apply), the applicant will be granted entry clearance or leave to remain under, as appropriate, paragraph D-ECP.1.2., D-LTRP.1.2., D-ECC.1.1., D-LTRC.1.1., Appendix Adoption of the Immigration Rules.”.

APP FM2. For GEN.3.2(1), substitute:

GEN.3.2.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), where an application for entry clearance or leave to enter or remain made under this Appendix, or an application for leave to remain which has otherwise been considered under this Appendix, does not otherwise meet the requirements of this Appendix or Part Suitability, the decision-maker must consider whether the circumstances in sub-paragraph (2) apply.

APP FM3. For GEN.3.2(3), substitute:

“(3) Where the exceptional circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (2) above apply, unless D-ECP.1.2A., D-LTRP.1.2A., D-ECPT.1.2A, D-LTRPT.1.2A., D-ECC.1.1A and D-LTRC.1.1A. applies, the applicant will be granted entry clearance or leave to enter or remain under, as appropriate, paragraph D-ECP.1.2., D-LTRP.1.2., D-ECC.1.1., D-LTRC.1.1., D-ECPT.1.2. or D-LTRPT.1.2.”.

APP FM4. For EC-P.1.1(c), substitute:

“(c) the applicant must not fall for refusal under Section S-EC:

Suitability–entry clearance; and”.

APP FM5. For S-EC.1.1, substitute:

“The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.”.

APP FM6. Delete S-EC.1.2 to S-EC.3.2.

APP FM7. For D-ECP.1.2, substitute:

“D-ECP.1.2. Unless D-ECP.1.2A. applies, where paragraph GEN.3.1.(2) or GEN.3.2.(3) of this Appendix applies, an applicant who meets the requirements for entry clearance as a partner (other than as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner) will be granted entry clearance for an initial period not exceeding 33 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the decision-maker considers, with reference to paragraph GEN.1.11A., that the applicant should not be subject to such a condition, and they will be eligible to apply for settlement after a continuous period of at least 120 months in the UK with leave to enter granted on the basis of such entry clearance or of entry clearance granted under paragraph D-ECP.1.1. or with limited leave to remain as a partner granted under paragraph D-LTRP.1.1. or D-LTRP.1.2. (excluding in all cases any period of leave to enter or limited leave to remain as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner); or, where the applicant is a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for a period not exceeding 6 months, and subject to a prohibition on employment and a condition of no recourse to public funds.”.

APP FM8. For D-ECP.1.2A, substitute:

“D-ECP.1.2A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 2.3., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1., in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM9. For S-LTR.1.1., substitute:

“S-LTR.1.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.”.

APP FM10. Delete S-LTR.1.2. to S-LTR.4.5.

APP FM11. For D-LTRP.1.2, substitute:

“D-LTRP.1.2. Unless D-LTRP.1.2A. applies, if the applicant meets the requirements in paragraph R-LTRP.1.1.(a), (b) and (d) for limited leave to remain as a partner, or paragraph GEN.3.1.(2) or GEN.3.2.(3) applies to an applicant for leave to remain as a partner, the applicant will be granted leave to remain for a period not exceeding 30 months and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the decision-maker considers, with reference to paragraph GEN.1.11A., that the applicant should not be subject to such a condition, and they will be eligible to apply for settlement after a continuous period of at least 120 months in the UK with such leave, with limited leave to remain as a partner granted under paragraph D-LTRP.1.1., or in the UK with leave to enter granted on the basis of entry clearance as a partner granted under paragraph D-ECP1.1. or D-ECP.1.2. (excluding in all cases any period of leave to enter or limited leave to remain as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner), or, if paragraph E-LTRP.1.11. applies, the applicant will be granted limited leave for a period not exceeding 6 months and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds and a prohibition on employment.”.

APP FM12. For D-LTRP.1.2A, substitute:

“D-LTRP.1.2A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2.(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1., in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM13. For R-ILRP.1.1(c), substitute:

“(c) the applicant must not fall for refusal under Section S-ILR: Suitability for indefinite leave to remain; and”.

APP FM14. For S-ILR.1.1, substitute “The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.”.

APP FM15. Delete S-ILR. 1.2. to S-ILR 4.5.

APP FM16. For E-LTRP.2.2, substitute:

“E-LTRP.2.2. The applicant must not be in the UK-

(a) on immigration bail, unless:

(i) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant arrived in the UK more than 6 months prior to the date of application; and

(ii) paragraph EX.1. applies; or

(b) in breach of immigration laws (except that, where the exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies any current period of overstaying will be disregarded), unless paragraph EX.1. applies.”.

APP FM17. For D-ILRP.1.2, substitute:

“D-ILRP.1.2. If the applicant does not meet the requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a partner as they have not demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English language or about life in the United Kingdom in accordance with Appendix KoLL, subject to compliance with any requirement notified under paragraph GEN.1.15.(b), the applicant will be granted further limited leave to remain as a partner for a period not exceeding 30 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds.”.

APP FM18. For D-ILRP.1.3, substitute:

“D-ILRP.1.3. If the applicant does not meet all the eligibility requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a partner, and does not qualify for further limited leave to remain as a partner under paragraph D-ILRP. 1.2. or D-LTRP.1.2A., the application will be refused, unless the applicant meets the requirements in paragraph R-LTRP.1.1.(a), (b) and (d) for limited leave to remain as a partner. Where they do, and subject to compliance with any requirement notified under paragraph GEN.1.15.(b), the applicant will be granted further limited leave to remain as a partner for a period not exceeding 30 months under paragraph D-LTRP.1.2. and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the Secretary of State considers that the person should not be subject to such a condition.”.

APP FM19. In EC-C.1.1(c), delete “any of the grounds in”.

APP FM20. For D-ECC.1.1A, substitute:

“D-ECC.1.1A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 2.3., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1. in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM21. In R-LTRC.1.1(c)(i), delete “any of the grounds in”.

APP FM22. In R-LTRC.1.1(d)(i), delete “any of the grounds in”.

APP FM23. For D-LTRC.1.1A, substitute:

“D-LTRC.1.1A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1. in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM24. In EC-PT.1.1(c), delete “any of the grounds in”.

APP FM25. For D-ECPT.1.2, substitute:

“D-ECPT.1.2. Unless D-ECPT.1.2A. applies, if paragraph GEN.3.2.(3) applies to an applicant for entry clearance as a parent, the applicant will be granted entry clearance for an initial period not exceeding 33 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the decision-maker considers, with reference to paragraph GEN.1.11A., that the person should not be subject to such a condition, and they will be eligible to apply for settlement after a continuous period of at least 120 months in the UK with leave to enter granted on the basis of such entry clearance or of entry clearance granted under paragraph D-ECPT.1.1. or with limited leave to remain as a parent granted under paragraph D-LTRPT.1.1. or D-LTRPT.1.2.”.

APP FM26. For D-ECPT.1.2A, substitute:

“D-ECPT.1.2A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2.(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 2.3., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1., in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM27. For D-LTRPT.1.2, substitute:

“D-LTRPT.1.2. Unless D-LTRPT.1.2A. applies, if the applicant meets the requirements in paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(a), (b) and (d) for limited leave to remain as a parent, or paragraph GEN.3.2.(3) applies to an applicant for leave to remain as a parent, the applicant will be granted leave to remain for a period not exceeding 30 months and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the decision-maker considers, with reference to paragraph GEN.1.11A., that the applicant should not be subject to such a condition, and they will be eligible to apply for settlement after a continuous period of at least 120 months in the UK with such leave, with limited leave to remain as a parent granted under paragraph D-LTRPT.1.1., or in the UK with leave to enter granted on the basis of entry clearance as a parent granted under paragraph D-ECPT.1.1. or D-ECPT.1.2.”.

APP FM28. For D-LTRPT.1.2A, substitute:

“D-LTRPT.1.2A. Where paragraph GEN 3.2(3) applies but the applicant does not meet the suitability paragraphs SUI 2.1., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1. in Part Suitability, the application on Appendix FM will be refused.”.

APP FM29. In R-ILRPT.1.1(c), delete “any of the grounds in”.

APP FM30. For D-ILRPT.1.2, substitute:

“D-ILRPT.1.2. If the applicant does not meet the requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a parent as they have not demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English language or about life in the United Kingdom in accordance with Appendix KoLL, subject to compliance with any requirement notified under paragraph GEN.1.15.(b), the applicant will be granted further limited leave to remain as a partner for a period not exceeding 30 months, and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds.”.

APP FM31. For D-ILRPT.1.3, substitute:

“D-ILRPT.1.3. If the applicant does not meet all the eligibility requirements for indefinite leave to remain as a parent, and does not qualify for further limited leave to remain under paragraph D-ILRPT.1.2. or D-LTRPT.1.2A., the application will be refused, unless the applicant meets the requirements in paragraph R-LTRPT.1.1.(a), (b) and (d) for limited leave to remain as a parent. Where they do, and subject to compliance with any requirement notified under paragraph GEN.1.15.(b), the applicant will be granted further limited leave to remain as a parent for a period not exceeding 30 months under paragraph D-LTRPT.1.2. and subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds unless the Secretary of State considers that the person should not be subject to such a condition.”.

Changes to Appendix Visitor: Visa national list

APP VN1. In VN 1.1(a), after “Namibia”, insert “Nauru”.

APP VN2. After VN 2.2(r), insert:

“(s) nationals or citizens of Nauru, who hold confirmed bookings to the UK, and who have been granted an Electronic Travel Authorisation, on or before 15:00 GMT on 9 December 2025 where arrival in the UK is no later than 15:00 GMT on 20 January 2026.”.

APP VN3. Delete VN 2.2(r).

Changes to Appendix ETA National List

APP ETANL1. In ETANL 1.1(c), delete “Nauru”.

Changes to Appendix Service Providers from Switzerland

APP SPS1. Delete Appendix Service Providers from Switzerland.

Changes to Appendix Adult Dependent Relative

APP ADR1. For ADR 7.2, substitute:

“ADR 7.2. Where ADR 7.1. applies and the applicant falls for refusal on suitability grounds under SUI 2.1., SUI 2.3., SUI 3.1., SUI 4.1., SUI 5.1. of Part Suitability, the application as an Adult Dependent Relative must be refused.”.

Changes to Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse

APP VDA1. For VDA 4.1(b), (c) and (d), substitute:

“(b) a partner under Appendix FM, Part 8, Part 11, or Appendix Family Reunion (Protection) of a person with permission as a refugee; or

(c) a spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner under paragraph 282(a), 282(c), 285, 295B(a), 295B(c) or 295E of Part 8 of a person present and settled in the UK; or

(d) a victim of domestic abuse under Appendix FM or Part 8; or”.

Changes to Appendix Adoption

APP AD1. In AD 9.2, after “of Part” delete “9”.

APP AD2. For AD 21.2, substitute:

“AD 21.2. Where AD 21.1. applies and the applicant falls for refusal under SUI 2.1, SUI 2.3, SUI 3.1, SUI 4.1, and SUI 5.1. of Part Suitability, the application on the Adoption: Recognised Overseas Adoption route, must be refused.”.

APP AD3. For AD 33.2, substitute:

“AD 33.2. Where AD 33.1. applies and the applicant falls for refusal under SUI 2.1, SUI 2.3, SUI 3.1, SUI 4.1, and SUI 5.1. of Part Suitability, the application on the Adoption: De Facto route, must be refused.”.

APP AD4. For AD 45.2, substitute:

“AD 45.2. Where AD 45.1. applies and the applicant falls for refusal under SUI 2.1, SUI 2.3, SUI 3.1, SUI 4.1, and SUI 5.1. of Part Suitability, the application on the Adoption: coming to the UK for adoption route, must be refused.”.

Changes to Appendix Statelessness

APP S1. In S 11.3(b)(ii), for “; and”, substitute “;or”.

APP S2. In S 14.2(b), after “;”, insert “or”.

APP S3. After S 14.2(b), insert:

“(c) P is settled or has become a British Citizen, providing P had permission to stay on the statelessness route when they settled, and the applicant had permission as P’s partner at that time”.

1. This Statement of Changes can be viewed at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes ↩