LONDON, United Kingdom: UK immigration rules will expand the grounds for deportation from August 3. The new rules will include suspended prison sentences of at least 12 months for foreign nationals convicted on or after March 22, 2026.
The Home Office introduced the provision through Statement of Changes HC 259. It was presented to the UK Parliament on July 9. The public interest will require deportation unless a specified private-life, family-life, or human-rights exception applies.
The 39-page statement also changes visa, asylum, work, study and family migration provisions across the United Kingdom. Most amendments will take effect on August 3. However, changes involving the Appendix EU and the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit will begin on July 30.
For specified amendments, applications submitted before August 3 will be assessed under the Immigration Rules in force on August 2. These include relevant applications for entry clearance, Electronic Travel Authorisation, permission to enter or remain and administrative review.
The changes allow the Home Secretary to omit a personal asylum interview for applicants from the European Economic Area or Switzerland. Additionally, the interview can be omitted where the written application shows that the claim is clearly unfounded. The omission will not prevent a positive or negative decision.
The rules also add suspended sentences to criminality checks under the Electronic Travel Authorisation and Child Student routes. They standardise restrictions involving overstaying and immigration bail across several immigration pathways.
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Other amendments allow UK-born children of Graduate route holders to apply as dependants. They also require lawful care arrangements for children applying under Appendix FM. In addition, Scale-up route calculations will recognise neonatal leave.
Indian diplomatic passport holders nominated by their government will become eligible for a light-touch diplomatic visitor visa. There will be no application fees or fingerprint requirements, according to the Home Office explanatory memorandum.
The principal provisions and implementation timetable are contained in HC 259.
