Global Business Mobility routes

The Global Business Mobility routes came into force from 11 April 2022, via Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1118. They consolidate a number of existing routes and expand on the provisions for overseas businesses seeking to establish a UK subsidiary/branch or temporarily transfer specialised employees to the UK through a client, supplier or their own UK entity. The routes were trailed as part of the previous Conservative government’s ‘Plan for Growth’, and their introduction followed the October 2021 publication of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) report on the Intra-Company routes. However, they have not seen significant take-up in practice. All of the Global Business Mobility routes require a licensed sponsor. Despite the recommendation of the MAC on this point, there is no provision for settlement on any of the routes. Also, time spent in any Global Business Mobility route cannot be aggregated towards settlement in any other route, eg if

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Latest Immigration News

Migration Observatory publishes briefing on unauthorised migration to the UK

The Migration Observatory has published a briefing on unauthorised migration to the UK, covering recent trends and developments, and the government’s relevant policies. It looks at how a person can become an unauthorised migrant, the recent significant increase in unauthorised arrivals to the UK (primarily via small boats crossing the English Channel), the position on refused asylum seekers and overstayers, legal returns, (non-)access to jobs, housing and public funds, and regularisation. Between 2018 and September 2024, approximately 175,000 unauthorised arrivals were recorded, with 78% using the small boats route. The majority of these arrivals (94%) subsequently applied for asylum, 70% were granted protection. The report also highlights a decline in returns of unauthorised migrants, though numbers have partially recovered in recent years. Despite strict ‘hostile environment’ policies limiting access to jobs, housing, benefits, and public services for unauthorised migrants, their effectiveness remains unclear. The Observatory notes significant data gaps, including a lack of recent statistics on visa overstayers and regularisation of unauthorised migrants, impeding a comprehensive understanding of the UK's irregular migration landscape.

Home Office concludes consultation on biometric registration regulations Code of Practice changes

The Home Office has concluded its consultation on proposed changes to the Code of Practice for biometric registration regulations. The consultation, which ran from 17 July to 8 October 2023, sought feedback on changes to the existing Code, as part of the transition to digital immigration status (eVisas). These changes bring a number of new requirements, including that foreign nationals will need to keep their personal details up to date, and update their facial images every ten years until 70 (or every five years between the ages of 10 and 15). Sanctions will include being denied the ability to create a sharecode which will prove eligibility to access employment, services and travel (subject to at least one prior notification/warnings). In its published response to the consultation, the Home Office states that three common themes where raised during the consultation process: (1) concerns on how the new sanction would be imposed and its impact on vulnerable people, (2) the new Code’s potential impact on people who lack digital skills or do not have access to suitable technology and (3) the circumstances where the other sanctions would be imposed. Following the consultation, the Home Office has amended the draft Code and draft guidance for caseworkers to try and deal with some of these concerns.

Law Society extends funding for immigration and asylum solicitor accreditation

The Law Society of England and Wales has announced an extension of its funding contribution agreement with the Ministry of Justice to support immigration and asylum solicitor accreditation. The deal, originally introduced last year, will now run until 31 December 2025 and has been expanded to cover exam and application fees for casework assistants and trainee casework assistants, in addition to senior caseworkers. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on immigration firms, with individual savings of up to £782.40 for initial accreditation and £482.40 for reaccreditation (for senior caseworkers). For casework assistants there will be a saving of £717.60 for accreditation, and for trainee casework assistants a saving of £277.20 The Law Society views this as a positive step towards addressing capacity issues in the sector and encouraging talent retention, following recent legal aid fee increases.

Fees to be increased again, and new airside transit ETA exemption

The Home Office has laid before Parliament the draft Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2025, to amend the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016, SI 2016/177. When approved, this will increase the maximum fees that can be charged for various listed immigration and nationality services. Once it comes into force, amendments will then be made to the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/330 to change the specific fees. The Explanatory Memorandum (EM) to the draft Order states that the fee raises are to reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding, and that there will be a wider package of changes implemented to the Fees Regulations 2018 in due course. In most cases, according to the EM, the anticipated fees will be at the relevant maximum amount. The proposed increases include the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee rising from £10 to £16, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee increasing from £239 to £525 (note that this is only for certain sponsored routes, others such as Temporary Worker will go from £25 to £55, according to the EM), the naturalisation as a British citizen fee rising from £1,500 to £1,605 and the naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen fee rising from £1,000 to £1,070. See below for a table setting out all proposed increases.