The Home Secretary has introduced a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 733, 12 March 2025 – GOV.UK bringing significant amendments affecting multiple routes, including visitor visas, the Ukraine Scheme, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), Skilled Worker visas, and Appendix ETA. Below, we summarise the key changes and their implications.
1.Visa Requirement Introduced for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals
As of 15:00 GMT on 12 March 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will now require a visa to visit the UK. A direct Airside Transit Visa will also be required for transit via the UK.
Trinidad and Tobago nationals will no longer be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will instead have to apply in advance for a visitor’s visa, as the country has been added to Appendix Visa National.
Transitional Period: A six-week visa-free transition period applies for those with a valid ETA and confirmed bookings made on or before 12 March 2025, allowing entry until 23 April 2025.
Reason for the Change:
This decision was made due to a rise in Trinidad and Tobago nationals travelling to the UK for purposes outside permitted visitor rules, leading to increased asylum claims and operational pressure at the UK border. According to the Home Office records, The number of asylum applications has increased from 234 applications (representing 353 people) in 2023 to 272 applications (444 people) last year. In 2023, there were decisions on 157 applications, with 22 succeeding in the asylum claim (14%) and three main applicants granted another form of Leave. In 2024, there were decisions on 236 applications, with 35 of those asylum grants (15%) and three main applicants granted another form of Leave.
2.Changes to the Ukraine Scheme
- Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE)
From 4 February 2025, Ukrainians and their family members with valid permission under the Ukraine Scheme can apply for a further 18 months’ permission to stay.
New Changes Include:
- Inclusion of children under 18 who were granted Leave Outside the Rules to align their status with their parents.
- Clarification of eligibility rules to reflect existing policy intentions.
- Homes for Ukraine (HfU) Scheme
New requirements for an “approved sponsor” in validity and eligibility sections. The Home Office have also introduced a consistent definition of “parent” across the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) And HfU schemes.
Parents who wish to sponsor their children under HfU must be lawfully resident in the UK.
- Ending of ‘Permission to Travel’ Letters
The Immigration Rules were laid in November 2024 (HC 334) to end the use of ‘permission to travel’ (PTT) letters on the Ukraine schemes from 13 February onwards. The Rules currently allow PTT arrivals to vary their permission in country within 6 months of their arrival.
From 13 February 2025, no further arrivals will be permitted under the ‘Permission to Travel’ (PTT) letters scheme. Consequently, the ability to vary permission under this route will end on 13 August 2025.
3.Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Amendments to the EUSS include:
The main change introduced states all non-EEA nationals can use an expired UK-issued biometric residence card (up to 18 months) as proof of identity. The rule now clarifies that applicants with a pending administrative review will not be removed from the UK.
The Home Office have also introduced a provision to refuse applications on suitability grounds, without the need for a deportation or exclusion order, where conduct before the end of the transition period meets EU law public policy tests.
4.Updates to the Skilled Worker Route
- Focus on Care Workers
To address concerns about exploitation and lack of employment opportunities, sponsors must now prioritise recruiting from the pool of care workers already in the UK before seeking new recruits from abroad.
Exceptions:
This requirement does not apply to workers outside England or where providers seek to sponsor individuals switching from another route who have been employed by them for at least three months.
Minimum Salary Increase for Skilled Worker Visa:
From 9 April 2025, the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas will increase to 25,000 per year (up from £23,200), or £12.82 per hour (up from £11.90). These updates align with the latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The Government intends to shortly publish an Immigration White Paper, the changes are being limited to only updating the minimum salary floor. This is to ensure it reflects the latest ASHE data and remains significantly above the National Living Wage, which is also increasing in April 2025.
5. Appendix ETA – Exemption for British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O))
Holders of a BN(O) passport will now be exempt from requiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to or transit through the UK. This exemption will be kept under regular review.
6.Appendix Child Student – 29 May
On 29 May 2025, a new definition of “nominated guardian” will be added to paragraph 6.2(b) of the immigration rules:
“Nominated guardian” in Appendix Child Student means a person aged 18 years old or over who is appointed by the Child Student’s parent, legal guardian, or school as the Child Student’s carer in the UK outside of term-time for less than 28 days and/or is the school’s emergency contact in the UK for the Child Student. The person must not be:
(a) a private foster carer (for the purposes of section 66 of the Children’s Act 1989); or
(b) close relative the Child Student is living with during term-time; or
(c) the Child Student’s parent or legal guardian who has permission as a Parent of a Child Student.
The Home Office will also amend Appendix Child Student to include a care requirement for a child student. The Home Office decision maker “must be satisfied that there are appropriate care, living and, where applicable, guardianship arrangements in place for the applicant’s safety whilst in the UK”. A living arrangement requirement is also being added, as well as a discretionary ground for refusal where the carer has committed a criminal offence.
7. Administrative review – 9 April
The free out-of-country error correction team is to be expanded to include in-country cases where there is an error in the conditions or time period in a grant of permission. These types of requests are therefore being removed from Appendix Administrative Review at AR2.1(e).
8.Appendix Short-term Study (English Language) – 9 April
STS 5.1 is being amended to include a “genuine intention to study” requirement, which seems likely to increase the number of refusals given these decisions are at the discretion of the Home Office decision maker
Implementation Timeline
Visa Requirement for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals: 12 March 2025
Changes to the Ukraine Scheme: Various dates from 2 April 2025
Other Changes: 9 April 2025
Amendment to Appendix Child Student- 29 May
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