Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 2 January 2026
As the year concludes, the Home Office’s approach to immigration is producing outcomes that reach beyond political discourse, with recent evidence indicating that stringent rhetoric and policies are having unforeseen effects.
Senior medical professionals have raised the alarm that the country’s increasingly hostile language around migration, is deterring qualified foreign doctors and nurses from choosing to work in the National Health Service (NHS). This comes at a time where the NHS remains desperately short of staff and continues to rely heavily on international recruitment to fill critical vacancies across hospitals and GP surgeries.
Meanwhile, the Home Office has taken the unusual step of restricting visa applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing the African nation’s alleged failure to cooperate with the UK’s deportation and returns process. The move represents a hardening of enforcement measures and signals the government’s willingness to use visa restrictions as leverage in migration management. Officials argue that countries must accept the return of their own nationals who have no legal right to remain in Britain, though critics worry such blanket restrictions may affect legitimate travellers and students who have nothing to do with irregular migration issues.
Britain’s trade union movement has begun pushing Labour to reconsider the country’s relationship with Europe, arguing that closer economic ties would benefit workers and businesses alike. The Trades Union Congress has specifically called for a more pragmatic approach to European cooperation, suggesting that ideological red lines around Brexit should not prevent sensible arrangements that protect jobs and living standards.
Final note of 2025, 2026 will see major changes in immigration policy, especially in two areas that will significantly impact visa and settlement advice. From January 2026, the tightened English language requirements for skilled worker, graduate, and scale-up visas will affect new first-time applicants. Who must now demonstrate B2 level competency rather than B1; advisors should note that existing visa holders renewing their permission will remain unaffected, though clients considering new applications will need to factor in enhanced language preparation costs and timelines.
More significantly, the Government’s “earned settlement” model presents substantial implications for clients planning long-term UK residence, as the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain extends from five to ten years, with potential waiting periods of up to 20 years for those claiming benefits or arriving under post-Brexit health and social care routes.
With these reforms affecting an estimated 2.6 million people who have arrived since 2021 and expected to take effect from spring 2026 following February’s consultation closure. Advisors are advised to familiarise themselves with the detailed guidance, review existing client files to identify those whose circumstances will be impacted, and adjust settlement and sponsorship strategies accordingly to ensure clients understand the revised pathways and timelines.
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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see https://hjt-training.co.uk/26-dec-25-blog-post-uk-immigration-asylum-news/
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Immigration News
New visa rules for 2026: The UK immigration changes set for the new year – The Standard
New immigration rules are set to come into force in 2026, marking one of the most substantial overhauls of the system in years. Under plans to reduce net migration there will be changes to visas, including significantly increasing English language requirements for foreign workers. For full report, click here
Foreign medics shunning NHS because of anti-migrant rhetoric – The Guardian
Foreign doctors and nurses are increasingly shunning the NHS because anti-migrant rhetoric and rising racism have created “a hostile environment”, the leader of Britain’s medics has warned. The health service is being put at risk because overseas health professionals increasingly see the UK as an “unwelcoming, racist” country, in part because of the government’s tough approach to immigration, Jeanette Dickson said. For full report, click here
UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy – BBC News UK
The UK is to impose visa restrictions against people arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo after its government failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening up of the UK’s asylum rules announced in November. For full report, click here
Number of people who say Britons must be born in UK is rising, study shows – The Guardian
The number of people who believe “Britishness” is something you are born with has almost doubled in two years, according to research that warns of a rising tide of ethno-nationalism in Britain. Although a majority of the public still believe being British is rooted in shared values, a growing proportion see it as a product of ethnicity, birthplace and ancestry, according to analysis carried out by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and shared with the Guardian. For full report, click here
Case Law
AA, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 3404 (Admin)
The High Court ruled that a Stage 1 deportation notice (informing someone they may be deported) does not render a prisoner ineligible for Home Detention Curfew—only a final Stage 2 deportation decision does. The court held that the statutory framework requires a two-stage process with an opportunity to make representations before the final decision is made, and that reducing appeal rights under the 2014 Act does not change this. For full decision, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Collection: Archive: Immigration Rules has been update on 30th December 2026. To view the updated collection, click here
Guidance: Immigration Rules archive: 9 December 2025 to 29 December 2025 has been published on 30th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Private life: caseworker has been updated on 30th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Family life and exceptional circumstances: caseworker has been updated on 30th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: caseworker has been updated on 30th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 29th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 29th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Transparency data: Country returns has been updated on 29th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Home Office Gaza process: caseworker has been updated on 24th December 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
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Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration advisors should consult the full decisions and official policy documents when advising clients on specific cases.
