The HC 1691 Statement of Changes, published by the UK government, has introduced significant changes to various areas of immigration rules. These changes cover numerous topics, including the English language requirement for settlement, restrictions on Student and Skilled Worker applications for certain nationalities, the disclosure of asylum applications, visitor visas, settlement applications for children, suitability rules, and identity verification processes.
Below, we have outlined the most notable changes,
English language requirement for settlement raised to B2 level
Under the new regulations, the required English language level for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) applications is raised from B1 to B2.
This change will apply to many routes. These include:
- Skilled Worker
- Global Talent
- Scale-up
- Innovator Founder
- UK Ancestry
- International Sportsperson
- Long Residence
- Private Life
- Settlement Family Life
and other different immigration routes.
The new language requirement will apply to settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. The current B1 level will continue to apply to applications made before this date.
This change will be an important planning consideration, particularly for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK in the long term.
Skilled Worker and Global Talent changes
HC 1691 does not only introduce technical changes; it also contains significant updates to the Skilled Worker and Global Talent routes.
On the Skilled Worker side, new regulations regarding salary payment rules and application restrictions for certain nationalities are particularly noteworthy. In the Global Talent route, new endorsement pathways and academic fast-track regulations stand out.
We have covered our detailed analyses for these two routes in separate blog posts. You can find more comprehensive assessments of the Skilled Worker and Global Talent changes in the relevant articles.
Visa Brake: Restrictions imposed on Student and Skilled Worker applications
With HC 1691, the first concrete application of the intervention mechanism known as the ‘Visa Brake’ in the immigration system was also implemented.
Under this regulation:
- Afghan citizens will not be able to apply for entry clearance for a Skilled Worker visa.
Furthermore, restrictions have been imposed on certain nationalities under the Student route. Accordingly:
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Myanmar
- Sudan
citizens will not be able to apply for a Student visa from outside the United Kingdom.
These changes are considered targeted measures introduced due to the high rates of asylum applications made through certain routes.
Asylum applications may be disclosed if it is in the public interest
One of the notable changes under the new rules is the exception to the confidentiality rules regarding asylum applications.
Under normal circumstances, asylum applications are conducted in complete confidentiality. However, under the new regulations, the Home Office may disclose that a person has applied for asylum if it is in the public interest.
This regulation is defined as an authority that can be used in exceptional circumstances, such as:
- cases of high public interest
- situations involving serious criminal allegations
- cases related to public safety
–
Therefore, the change is noteworthy in that it introduces exceptions to the principle of complete confidentiality of asylum applications under certain conditions.
Permit duration for persons granted protection status: 30-month limited leave model
HC 1691 introduces a new approach to the initial permit duration granted to persons granted refugee status or humanitarian protection. Under the previous practice, persons granted protection status were generally granted limited leave to remain for 5 years, after which they could apply for settlement.
The new regulation, however, allows for shorter-term protection permits to be granted in certain circumstances. Accordingly, the Home Office may grant 30 months (2.5 years) of limited leave in cases it deems appropriate, rather than granting the individual long-term leave directly.
This model is specifically designed as a mechanism that can be used in cases where:
- the situation in the individual’s country of origin is assessed as being subject to change
- the need for protection may need to be reviewed in the future
In such cases, the individual’s status can be re-evaluated at shorter intervals and the permit extended if deemed necessary.
This change aims to create flexibility in the way protection status is granted, while also strengthening the Home Office’s ability to periodically re-evaluate protection statuses.
Visit visa requirement for citizens of Nicaragua and St Lucia
Under the new regulations, visit visas are now mandatory for citizens of Nicaragua and St Lucia.
Previously, citizens of these countries could obtain permission to travel to the United Kingdom through the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system.
Under the new rules, these two countries:
- have been added to the visa national list
- have been removed from the ETA system
Therefore, citizens of these countries must now apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to travel to the United Kingdom.
Changes to criminality rules
The criminality rules applied to immigration applications have also been updated.
Under the new regulations, not only actual prison sentences but also 12-month or longer suspended prison sentences will be more explicitly considered in the suitability assessment.
This change aims to ensure clearer application of the rules regarding criminal history in the assessment of immigration applications.
Permit Free Festival List updated
The Permit Free Festival List, included in the Appendix Visitor category, has also been updated.
This list allows artists and performers to perform in the UK without obtaining a work permit for certain festivals.
With the new regulation, the festival list has been updated and some new events have been added to the list.
This change continues to be an important application, particularly for those working in the music, culture and performance sectors.
Youth Mobility Scheme – 2026 quotas
Under HC 1691, the quotas for the Youth Mobility Scheme for 2026 have also been updated.
Under the programme, citizens of certain countries can live and work in the UK for up to two years.
The new quotas include countries such as:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- India
–
The Youth Mobility Scheme remains one of the UK’s most popular migration routes, particularly for young professionals.
Identity reuse: biometrics can be reused
A significant technical change has also been made to the identity verification process.
With the new regulation, it will be possible to reuse previously provided biometric data (identity reuse) in some applications.
As a result, in some applications:
- it may not be necessary to make a new biometrics appointment
- identity verification can be completed using digital methods.
This change aims to make immigration application processes faster and more digital.
Conclusion
HC 1691 stands out as a comprehensive package of changes affecting many different areas of the immigration system.
The following topics are particularly noteworthy in practice:
- B2 English language requirement for settlement
- Restrictions on Student and Skilled Worker applications for certain nationalities
- Disclosure of asylum applications in the public interest
- Changes to visitor visas and the ETA system
- clarification of child settlement rules
The impact of these changes on immigration applications will become clearer in the coming period.
Further information
You can continue to follow our blog for new analyses and updates on these changes.
If you have any questions on this topic or would like a personal assessment of your situation, please contact us at team@visavisuk.com.