Policy paper

Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 836, 24 June 2025 (accessible)

Published 24 June 2025

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

Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 24 June 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) and 12 March 2025 (HC 733).

Implementation

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 16 July 2025:

• APP EU1 to APP EU3

• APP FM1

• APP FM-SE2

• APP FRP1

• APP ADR1

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 16 July 2025. In relation to those changes, if an application for entry clearance, for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, for permission to enter or for permission to stay, or an application for administrative review has been made before 16 July 2025, such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 15 July 2025:

• 8.1 and 8.2

• 9.1 and 9.2

• APP FM-SE1

• APP KOLL1

• APP ETA1

• APP ST1

• APP GR1 and APP GR2

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 17 July 2025. In relation to those changes, if an application for entry clearance, for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, for permission to enter or for permission to stay, or an application for administrative review has been made before 17 July 2025, such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 16 July 2025:

• APP AFI1 to APP AFI8

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 29 July 2025:

• APP PL1 to APP PL4

The following paragraphs shall take effect on 29 July 2025. In relation to those changes, if an application for entry clearance, for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, for permission to enter or for permission to stay, or an application for administrative review has been made before 29 July 2025, such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 28 July 2025:

• APP LR1 to APP LR4

• APP PL5

• APP CR1

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 8

8.1. For paragraph 284, substitute:

“284. The requirements for an extension of stay as the spouse or civil partner of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom are that:

(i) the applicant has or was last granted limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which meets the following requirements:

(a) The leave was given in accordance with any of the provisions of these Rules; and

(b) The leave was granted for a period of 6 months or more, unless it was granted as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner; and

(c) The leave was not as the spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same- sex partner of a Relevant Points-Based System Migrant or Appendix W Worker; and

(ii) the applicant is married to or the civil partner of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom; and

(iii) the parties to the marriage or civil partnership have met; and

(iv) the applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws (except that, where paragraph 39E of these Rules applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded); and

(v) the marriage or civil partnership has not taken place after a decision has been made to deport the applicant or he has been recommended for deportation or been given notice under Section 6(2) of the Immigration Act 1971 or been given directions for his removal under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; and

(vi) each of the parties intends to live permanently with the other as his or her spouse or civil partner and the marriage or civil partnership is subsisting; and

(vii) there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively; and

(viii) the parties will be able to maintain themselves and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and

(ix) (a) the applicant provides an English language test certificate in speaking and listening from an English language test provider approved by the Secretary of State for these purposes, which clearly shows the applicant’s name and the qualification obtained (which must meet or exceed level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference) unless:

(i) the applicant is aged 65 or over at the time he makes his application; or

(ii) the applicant has a physical or mental condition that would prevent him from meeting the requirement; or;

(iii) there are exceptional compassionate circumstances that would prevent the applicant from meeting the requirement; or

(ix)(b) the applicant is a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; the British Overseas Territories; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America; or

(ix)(c) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which either:

(i) is a UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD; or

(ii) is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, from an educational establishment in one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; The British Overseas Territories; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the USA; Malta; and provides the specified documents; or

(ix)(d) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification which is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and

(i) provides the specified evidence to show he has the qualification, and

(ii) if awarded outside of the UK, Ecctis has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in English, or

(ix)(e) has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which is deemed by Ecctis, if awarded outside of the UK to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and provides the specified evidence to show:

(i) he has the qualification, and

(ii) that the qualification was taught or researched in English.”.

8.2. For paragraph 295D, substitute:

“295D. The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to remain as the unmarried or same-sex partner of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom are that:

(i) the applicant has or was last granted limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom which was given in accordance with any of the provisions of these Rules, unless:

(a) as a result of that leave he would not have been in the United Kingdom beyond 6 months from the date on which he was admitted to the United Kingdom; or

(b) the leave was granted as the unmarried or same-sex partner of a Relevant Points Based System Migrant or Appendix W Worker; and

(ii) any previous marriage or civil partnership (or similar relationship) by either partner has permanently broken down; and

(iii) the applicant is the unmarried or same-sex partner of a person who is present and settled in the United Kingdom; and

(iv) the applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws (except that, where paragraph 39E of these Rules applies, any current period of overstaying will be disregarded); and

(v) the parties are not involved in a consanguineous relationship with one another; and

(vi) the parties have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership which has subsisted for two years or more; and

(vii) the parties’ relationship pre-dates any decision to deport the applicant, recommend him for deportation, give him notice under Section 6(2) of the Immigration Act 1971, or give directions for his removal under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; and

(viii) there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively; and

(ix) the parties will be able to maintain themselves and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and

(x) the parties intend to live together permanently; and

(xi) (a) the applicant provides an English language test certificate in speaking and listening from an English language test provider approved by the Secretary of State for these purposes, which clearly shows the applicant’s name and the qualification obtained (which must meet or exceed level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference) unless:

(i) the applicant is aged 65 or over at the time he makes his application; or

(ii) the applicant has a physical or mental condition that would prevent him from meeting the requirement; or;

(iii) there are exceptional compassionate circumstances that would prevent the applicant from meeting the requirement; or

(xi)(b) the applicant is a national of one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; the British Overseas Territories; Canada; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Malta; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; United States of America; or

(xi)(c) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which either:

(i) is a UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD; or

(ii) is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, from an educational establishment in one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; The British Overseas Territories; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the USA; Malta; and provides the specified documents; or

(xi)(d) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification which is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and

(i) provides the specified evidence to show he has the qualification, and

(ii) if awarded outside of the UK, Ecctis has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in English, or

(xi)(e) has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which is deemed by Ecctis, if awarded

outside of the UK to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and provides the specified evidence to show:

(i) he has the qualification, and

(ii) that the qualification was taught or researched in English.”.

Changes to Part 9

9.1. For paragraph 9.5.1., substitute:

“9.5.1. An application for entry clearance, permission to enter or permission to stay must be refused where the Secretary of State:

(a) has at any time decided that paragraph 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention (exclusion from Refugee Convention), 339AC (danger to the UK), 339D (exclusion from a grant of humanitarian protection) or 339GB (revocation of humanitarian protection on grounds of exclusion) of these rules applies to the applicant; or

(b) has decided that paragraph 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention, 339AC, 339D or 339GB of these rules would apply, but for the fact that the person has not made a protection claim in the UK, or that the person has made a protection claim which was finally determined without reference to any of the relevant matters described in paragraphs 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention, 339AC, 339D or 339GB.”.

9.2. For paragraph 9.5.2., substitute:

“9.5.2. Entry clearance or permission held by a person must be cancelled where the Secretary of State:

(a) has at any time decided that paragraph 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention (exclusion from Refugee Convention), 339AC (danger to the UK), 339D (exclusion from a grant of humanitarian protection) or 339GB (revocation of humanitarian protection on grounds of exclusion) of these rules applies to the applicant; or

(b) has decided that paragraph 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention, 339AC, 339D or 339GB of these rules would apply, but for the fact that the person has not made a protection claim in the UK, or that the person has made a protection claim which was finally determined without reference to any of the relevant matters described in paragraphs 339AA in relation to Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention, 339AC, 339D or 339GB.”.

Changes to Appendix International Armed Forces and International Civilian Employees

APP AFI1. In the introduction, in the second paragraph, after “where the partner or child is” insert “applying for entry clearance or permission to stay and is”.

APP AFI2. In the introduction, for:

“An application can be made from in the UK or overseas” substitute:

“An application can be made inside the UK or overseas”.

APP AFI3. In the heading prior to AFI 1.1, after “Validity requirements for”, for “member”, substitute “members”.

APP AFI4. In AFI 1.3, after “and not considered” insert “unless AFI 3.3. applies”. APP AFI5. After AFI 3.2. insert:

“AFI 3.3. A person arriving in the UK who is seeking entry as an International Civilian Employee and does not have a valid entry clearance on this route may be granted permission to enter if the following requirements are met:

(a) the applicant is not a visa national; and

(b) the applicant has a valid passport which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and

(c) the applicant shows they meet the service requirements of AFI 4.3; and

(d) the applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application; and

(e) the person otherwise meets the suitability requirements for members of International Armed Forces and International Civilian Employees set out AFI 2.1 and AFI 2.2.”.

APP AFI6. After AFI 4.2(b), insert:

“AFI 4.3. For the purposes of AFI 3.3, an International Civilian Employee must: show they are

(a) a federal employee, contracted or sub-contracted personnel of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Security Administration deployed to work with US Forces in the UK; and

(b) will leave the UK at the end of their deployment.”.

APP AFI7. After AFI 7.1. insert:

“AFI 7.1A. For an International Civilian Employee who is a federal employee, contracted or sub-contracted personnel of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Security Administration deployed to work with US Forces in the UK, if the Immigration Officer is satisfied the requirements of AFI 3.3. and AFI 4.3. are met, they will be granted permission to enter.”.

APP AFI8. After AFI 10.2. insert:

“AFI 10.3. Period of grant for an International Civilian Employee who is a federal employee, contracted or sub-contracted personnel of the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Security Administration deployed to work with US Forces in the UK, is 60 days.

Changes to Appendix EU

APP EU1. In Annex 1, in sub-paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘continuous qualifying period’, after “(b)(i)(ee) below”, insert “(or unless sub- paragraph (b)(i)(ii) below applies)”.

APP EU2. In Annex 1, for sub-paragraph (b)(i)(ii) of the definition of ‘continuous qualifying period’, substitute:

“(ii) (where the person has limited leave to enter or remain granted under paragraph EU3 or EU3A of this Appendix) any period(s) of absence which did not exceed a total of 30 months in the most recent 60-month period, as at the date of application or (as the case may be) at the date on which, under paragraph EU4, the Secretary of State is considering whether to grant them indefinite leave to enter or remain under paragraph EU2 or (as the case may be) EU2A, without a valid application under this Appendix having been made; or

(jj) any period of absence due directly to an order or decision to which sub-paragraph (b)(iii) below refers, where that order or decision has been set aside or revoked; or”.

APP EU3. In Annex 1, for sub-paragraph (c)(v) of the definition of ‘continuous qualifying period’, substitute:

“(v) a relevant reference is concerned; or

(vi) sub-paragraph (b)(i)(ii) above applies, where, under paragraph EU4 of this Appendix, the Secretary of State is considering whether to grant the person indefinite leave to enter or remain without a valid application under this Appendix having been made”.

Changes to Appendix FM

APP FM1. In GEN.1.3.(d), for “condition 1”, substitute “condition 1(a)(i)”.

Changes to Appendix FM-SE

APP FM-SE1. For paragraph 31, substitute:

“31. Evidence of an academic qualification under paragraphs 284(ix)(c), (d) and (e), 290 (viii) (c), (d) and (e) and 295D(xi)(c), (d) and (e) of Part 8 and paragraphs E-ECP.4.1.(c), E-LTRP.4.1.(c), E-LTRP.4.1A.(c), E-ECPT.4.1.(c), E-LTRPT.5.1.(c) and E-LTRPT.5.1A.(c) of Appendix FM must be:

(a) a certificate issued by the relevant institution confirming the award of the academic qualification showing:

(i) the applicant’s name;

(ii) the title of award;

(iii) the date of award; and

(iv) the name of the awarding institution; or

(b) if the applicant is awaiting graduation or no longer has the certificate and cannot obtain a new one, either:

(i) an academic reference from the institution awarding the academic qualification that:

1) is on official letter headed paper;

2) shows the applicant’s name;

3) shows the title of award;

4) explains when the academic qualification has been, or will be, awarded; and

5) confirms either the date that the certificate will be issued (if the applicant has not yet graduated) or that the institution is unable to re-issue the certificate of award; or

(ii) an academic transcript that:

(1) is on official letter headed paper;

(2) shows the applicant’s name;

(3) shows the name of the academic institution;

(4) shows the course title; and

(5) confirms either the date that the certificate will be issued (if the applicant has not yet graduated) or that the institution is unable to re-issue the certificate of award; and

(c) if the qualification was awarded by an educational establishment outside the UK, a document from Ecctis which confirms that the qualification meets or exceeds the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK and was taught or researched in English to level A1 or A2 (as the case may be) of the Common Framework of Reference for Languages or above.”.

APP FM-SE2. In paragraph 32D, for “as part of a successful previous partner or parent application”, substitute “as part of a successful previous application in any route”.

Changes to Appendix KOLL

APP KOLL1. For paragraph 2.2, substitute:

“2.2 For the purposes of paragraph 2.1, an applicant demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the English language if:

(a) the applicant has provided specified documentary evidence that:

(i) the applicant is a national or citizen of one of the following countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• The British Overseas Territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA
• Malta.

or

(iii) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which either:

1) is a UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD;

or

2) is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, from an educational establishment in one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; The British Overseas Territories; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and The Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; the USA; Malta; and provides the specified documents; or

or

(iv) the applicant has obtained an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) which is deemed by Ecctis to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK, and

1) provides the specified documentary evidence to show he has the qualification, and

2) Ecctis has confirmed that the qualification was taught or researched in English; or

(v) Deleted or

(b) the applicant-

(i) has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK, and

(ii) that leave (or a grant of leave which preceded it provided any periods of leave since have been unbroken) was given on the basis that the applicant had an English language qualification at a minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

(iii) at the date of application, the provider of that qualification continues to be approved by the Secretary of State.

or

(c) the on line verification system operated by an approved English language test provider, as published on the UK Visas and Immigration pages of Gov.uk, confirms that the applicant has passed an English language test in speaking and listening, at a minimum level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is approved by the Secretary of State, and taken at a test centre approved by the Secretary of State as a Secure English Language Test Centre no more than two years before the date of application.”.

Changes to Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation

APP ETA1. For ETA 1.1(f), substitute:

“(f) the applicant must be either:

(i) seeking permission to enter the UK as a Visitor (other than a Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitor), staying in the UK for up to 6 months; or

(ii) seeking permission to enter the UK as a Creative Worker who is seeking entry to the UK pursuant to paragraph Appendix Temporary Work - Creative Worker at CRV 3.2; or

(iii) a person making a local journey from the Republic of Ireland having entered that Republic from a place outside the common travel area, or having left the UK whilst having a limited leave to enter or remain there which has since expired, who is not a S2 Healthcare Visitor.”.

Changes to Appendix Student

APP ST1. For ST 32.1, substitute:

“ST 32.1. The applicant must be the partner of a Person (P) where one of the following applies:

(a) P has permission to stay on the Student route; or

(b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission to stay on the Student route.”.

Changes to Appendix Graduate

APP GR1. For GR 11.1, substitute:

“GR 11.1. The applicant must be the partner of a Person (P) where one of the following applies:

(a) P has permission to stay on the Graduate route; or

(b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) permission to stay on the Graduate route.”.

APP GR2. For GR 11.2, substitute:

“GR 11.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.”.

Changes to Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection)

APP FRP1. Delete FRP 2.2.

Changes to Appendix Adult Dependent Relative

APP ADR1. In ADR 4.2.(d), for “condition 1”, substitute “condition 1(a)(i)”.

Changes to Appendix Long Residence

APP LR1. In LR 3.1(c), for “.” substitute “; or”.

APP LR2. After LR 3.1(c), insert:

“(d) a period as a British citizen, except where citizenship has subsequently been deprived.”.

APP LR3. In LR 11.1(c), for “.” substitute “; or”.

APP LR4. After LR 11.1(c), insert

“(d) a period as a British citizen, except where citizenship has subsequently been deprived.”.

Changes to Appendix Private Life

APP PL1. For PL 11.3, substitute:

“PL 11.3. An applicant must have, or have last been granted, permission on the Private Life route, unless:

(a) they are a child who was born in the UK; or

(b) they are a child who has, or last had, permission as a dependent child (under Appendix FM or leave outside the Immigration Rules), before 20 June 2022 and would have met the continuous residence requirements in paragraph PL 3.1(a) at the time that permission or leave was granted; or

(c) they are over the age of 18 and meet or met the half-life test, and has, or last had, permission on the basis of their family or private life (under Appendix FM or with leave outside the Immigration Rules), before 20 June 2022.”.

APP PL2. After PL 14.1, insert:

“PL 14.1A. A child applicant who has, or last had, permission as a dependent child under Appendix FM or leave outside the Immigration Rules before 20 June 2022, and would have met the private life rules at the time they were granted that permission, must:

(a) meet the continuous residence requirements for a child at PL 3.1(a) at the date of application or have met the continuous residence requirements for a child at PL 3.1(a) in a previous application; and

(b) have lived in the UK for a continuous qualifying period of 5 years with permission as set out in PL 14.3.

PL 14.1B. The periods at PL 14.1A(a) and (b) must not run concurrently.”.

APP PL3. For PL 14.2, substitute:

“PL 14.2. An applicant who is aged 18 or over at the date of application and does not meet the requirement in PL 14.1., must either:

(a) have lived in the UK for a continuous qualifying period of 10 years with permission set out in PL 14.3. or 14.4.; or

(b) have, or last had, permission on the basis of their family or private life (under Appendix FM or leave outside the Immigration Rules before 20 June 2022), before 20 June 2022.

PL 14.2A. Where 14.2(b) applies, the applicant must have lived in the UK for a continuous qualifying period of 5 years with permission as set out in PL 14.3, and either:

(a) meet the half-life test at PL 4.1. at the date of application; or

(b) have met the half-life test at PL 4.1. in a previous application, or;

(c) have been initially granted permission as a child (as set out in PL 14.3.) and have since turned 25 and have spent at least half their life continuously resident in the UK.”.

APP PL4. In PL 14.3, for “PL 14.1. or PL 14.2”, substitute, “PL 14.1, PL 14.2 or PL 14.2A”.

APP PL5. For PL 15.1. (including the title before PL 15.1), substitute:

“Continuous Residence requirement for settlement on the Private Life route

PL 15.1. The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirements as set out in Appendix Continuous Residence for the qualifying period for settlement, unless they are a child born in the UK.

Continuous residence requirements for a child born in the UK applying for settlement on the Private Life route

PL 15A.1. The period of continuous residence at PL 13.2. may include time spent in the UK with or without permission.

PL 15A.2. The period of continuous residence at PL 13.2. does not include any period during which the applicant was serving a sentence of imprisonment or was detained in an institution other than a prison.

PL 15A.3. The period of continuous residence at PL 13.2. is broken (i.e. is no longer continuous) if any of the following apply:

(a) the applicant has been absent from the UK for more than 6 months at any one time; or

(b) the applicant has spent a total of 550 days or more absent from the UK during the period of continuous residence at PL 13.2.; or

(c) the applicant has been removed, deported or has left the UK having had an application for permission to enter or stay in the UK refused; or

(d) the applicant left the UK with no reasonable expectation at the time of leaving that they would lawfully be able to return.”.

Changes to Appendix Continuous Residence

APP CR1. For Appendix Continuous Residence, substitute:

“Immigration Rules Appendix Continuous Residence

Where the continuous residence requirement is specified within the relevant Immigration Rules, it will be satisfied where applicants have been resident in the UK for the qualifying period required by their route with permission, their continuous residence must not be broken, and their absences from the UK must not exceed the maximum permitted.

This Appendix applies only to applications under Appendix HM Armed Forces (only settlement as a Partner or Child), Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Representative of an Overseas Business, Appendix Global Talent, Appendix Innovator Founder, Appendix T2 Minister of Religion, Appendix International Sportsperson, Appendix UK Ancestry, Appendix Domestic Worker in a Private Household, Appendix Temporary Work - International Agreement, Appendix Scale-up, Appendix Settlement Family Life, Appendix Private Life (settlement only, apart from where the applicant is applying to settle as a child born in the UK), Appendix Hong Kong National (Overseas), Appendix Long Residence and Appendix ECAA Settlement.

Calculating the qualifying period

CR 1.1. The qualifying period for continuous residence will be calculated by counting back from whichever of the following dates is the most beneficial to the applicant, taking periods of absence into account:

(a) the date of application; or

(b) any date up to 28 days after the date of application; or

(c) the date of decision; or

(d) if the applicant is applying for settlement on the UK Ancestry route, and their last grant of permission was not as a person with UK Ancestry, the date their most recent permission as a person with UK Ancestry expired.

CR 1.2. The qualifying period can vary between routes. The specific length of the qualifying period required is set out in the rules for the route the person is applying for.

Lawful presence

CR 2.1. The applicant will not be regarded as lawfully present in the UK (and these periods will not count towards the qualifying period for continuous residence):

(a) during any period of imprisonment or detention under CR 4.1.(a) or CR 4.4.; and

(b) during any period the applicant is subject to a deportation order, exclusion order, or exclusion direction; and

(c) during any period when the applicant is subject to removal directions under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (except where the application is under Appendix Long Residence); and

(d) during any period where the applicant required permission and did not have it unless:

(i) the applicant was in the UK without permission in the period from 1 to 31 August 2020; and

(ii) the applicant had permission immediately before that period, in which case the applicant will be treated as lawfully present between 1 and 31 August 2020.

Absence from the UK

CR 3.1. To meet the continuous residence requirement, the applicant must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12- month period (unless CR 3.2., CR 3.3., CR 5.1. or CR 5.2. applies, and subject to CR 3.4.).

CR 3.2. For any absence from the UK with permission granted under the rules in place before 11 January 2018, the applicant must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days during any consecutive 12-month period, ending on the same date of their current application unless CR 3.3 applies, and subject to CR 3.4.

CR 3.3. Subject to CR 3.4, where the application is under Appendix Long Residence, the applicant must not have:

(a) spent a total of more than 548 days outside the UK during their qualifying period, where that 548-day total was reached before 11 April 2024; and

(b) been outside the UK for more than 184 days at any one time during their qualifying period, where that absence started before 11 April 2024.

CR 3.4. When calculating the period of absence in CR 3.1., CR 3.2. or CR 3.3., any period spent outside the UK will not count where the absence was for any of the following reasons:

(a) the applicant was assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis overseas, providing, if on a sponsored route, their sponsor agreed to the absence for that purpose; or

(b) travel disruption due to natural disaster, military conflict or pandemic; or

(c) compelling and compassionate personal circumstances, such as the life-threatening illness of the applicant, or the life- threatening illness or death of a close family member; or

(d) research activity undertaken by a Skilled Worker which was approved by their sponsor and where the applicant was sponsored for a job in one of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes:

• 2111 Chemical scientists

• 2112 Biological scientists

• 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists

• 2114 Physical scientists

• 2115 Social and humanities scientists

• 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified

• 2161 Research and development (R&D) managers

• 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline

• 2311 Higher education teaching professionals; or

(e) research activity undertaken by a person on the Global Talent route who was endorsed by:

(i) The Royal Society; or

(ii) The British Academy; or

(iii) The Royal Academy of Engineering; or

(iv) UKRI; or

(f) research activity undertaken by a person on the Global Talent route who qualified on the basis of a prize listed in table 6 of Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes; or

(g) for an applicant under Appendix Settlement Family Life, absences for work, study or supporting family overseas, so long as the family have throughout the period of absence maintained a family life in the UK and the UK remained their place of permanent residence; or

(h) where the applicant’s partner is absent from the UK on Crown service as:

(i) a regular member of HM Armed Forces (the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army (including the Brigade of Gurkhas) and the Royal Air Force); or

(i) (ii) an employee of the UK Government, a Northern Ireland department, the Scottish Administration or the Welsh Government; or

(ii) a permanent member of the British Council, and the applicant accompanies them overseas.

CR 3.5. Provided that the applicant’s most recent grant of permission was in the UK, any time the applicant has spent lawfully in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man on a route equivalent to those permissible in the UK is treated for the purpose of this Appendix as time spent in the UK.

CR 3.6. For settlement applications under Appendix Settlement Family Life, absence from the UK before 20 June 2022 will not be counted when calculating the total absence period if the applicant was subsequently granted permission as a partner or parent under Appendix FM or under paragraph 276ADE or 276BE(2), following those absences.

CR 3.7. Absence from the UK which began before 8 October 2024 will not be counted when calculating the qualifying period for continuous residence for settlement applications under Appendix HM Armed Forces.

Breaking continuous residence

CR 4.1. An applicant’s continuous residence will be broken if any of the following apply:

(a) the applicant is convicted of an offence and sentenced to a period of imprisonment (unless it is a suspended sentence) or directed to be detained in an institution other than a prison, unless the applicant is applying for settlement under Appendix Settlement Family Life or Appendix Private Life (in which case CR 4.4. applies); or

(b) the applicant is subject to a deportation order, exclusion order or exclusion direction; or

(c) the applicant is subject to removal directions, or in the case of an application under Appendix Long Residence, is removed from the UK, under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or

(d) the applicant does not currently have, or did not have, permission, unless:

(i) the applicant was granted permission following a successful application where paragraph 39E of these rules applied; or

(ii) (except for applications under Appendix Long Residence), the applicant had permission when they left the UK, applied for entry clearance before that permission expired, or within 14 days of that permission expiring, and that application for entry clearance was successful; or

(iii) the application is under Appendix Long Residence, and the applicant had permission when they left the UK and returned to the UK with a valid permission (on the same or another route), provided they do not exceed the absence limit in CR 3.1., CR 3.2. or CR 3.3.; or

(iv) for any period that an applicant left the UK without permission before 24 November 2016, where the applicant made a successful application for entry clearance or permission (either in or outside the UK) within 28 days of the date their previous permission expired; or

(v) the dates on which the applicant was in the UK without permission were in the period from 1 to 31 August 2020 and the applicant had permission immediately before then; or

(e) the applicant is absent from the UK for longer than the periods permitted under CR 3.1., CR 3.2., and CR 3.3., and none of the exceptions in CR 3.4., CR 3.6., CR 5.1. and CR 5.2. apply; or

(f) the applicant is removed or deported from the UK; or

(g) the applicant leaves the UK voluntarily having been refused permission to enter, permission to stay or settlement, and any permission held at the time of that voluntary departure has expired, unless CR 4.1(d)(iv) applies.

CR 4.2. Where CR 4.1(d)(i) to (iv) applies, any period of time where the applicant did not have permission will not be included in any calculation of the qualifying period in CR 1.1.

CR 4.3. Where CR 4.1.(d)(v) applies, that period of time without permission is recognised as lawful presence and will be included in any calculation of the qualifying period in CR 1.1.

CR 4.4. Where a person applying for settlement under Appendix Settlement Family Life or Appendix Private Life has been:

(a) convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment in the UK for 12 months or less; or

(b) directed to be detained in an institution other than a prison for 12 months or less,

that period of imprisonment or detention will not break the applicant’s continuous residence during the 10-year qualifying period for the purposes of SETF 2.3, SETF 11.3, PL 12.3., or PL 27.3, but the time spent in prison or detained in an institution other than a prison will not count towards the qualifying period for continuous residence.

Continuous residence for dependants

CR 5.1. Where the applicant is applying as a partner or child and was absent from the UK for a reason in CR 3.4., accompanying the person they are dependent on, that period of absence will not count towards the 180-day absence limit in CR 3.1. or CR 3.2. when calculating the applicant’s qualifying period.

CR 5.2. Where the applicant is applying as a partner or child and the person on whom they are dependent was absent from the UK during a period of permission granted before 11 January 2018, that period of absence will not count towards the 180-day absence in CR 3.1. or CR

3.2. when calculating the applicant’s qualifying period if the person on

whom they were dependent was on one of the following routes:

(a) Tier 1; or

(b) Tier 2; or

(c) Tier 5 (Temporary Worker); or

(d) Global Talent; or

(e) Start Up; or

(f) Innovator Founder; or

(g) ECAA worker or ECAA business person.”.

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