Immigration Legislation

Legislative framework for immigration control, visa policies, citizenship, asylum procedures, and border security.

The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Thu 3rd Apr 25

The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2025, effective April 9th, 2025, amends the Consular Fees Order 2012.

It increases the fees for Emergency Travel Documents and Emergency Passports from £100 and £75 respectively to £125.

The Order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and no significant impact on the public, private or voluntary sectors is anticipated.

The Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 25th Mar 25

These regulations amend existing UK immigration legislation concerning the collection, use, and retention of biometric information.

Key changes include expanding biometric data requirements to include entrants to the UK, allowing for electronic submission of data, clarifying the process for issuing biometric immigration documents, and updating data retention periods.

The amendments affect multiple regulations dating back to 2006, and incorporate the use of the new 'eVisa' system.

The Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 19th Mar 25

The Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 increase fees for various immigration, nationality, and passport services across multiple schedules.

These amendments, effective April and May 2025, adjust numerous fees in the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2018 and the Passport (Fees) Regulations 2022.

Amendments also clarify references to updated appendices within Immigration Rules.

Furthermore, regulations remove fee entries for assessment of overseas qualifications not operational from 1 May 2025.

The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Wed 12th Mar 25

The Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective March 13, 2025, adds Trinidad and Tobago to the list of countries whose citizens require a transit visa to pass through the UK without entering.

A transitional provision exempts those who already had bookings for arrival before April 23, 2025, and arrived by that date.

The Order is supported by Sections 41 and 166(3) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025

Published: Thu 6th Mar 25

This Order amends the 2016 and 2018 Immigration and Nationality (Fees) legislation by increasing several fees related to immigration and nationality matters and removing references to obsolete Electronic Visa Waivers.

The amendments were approved by Parliament and increase fees for various services, ranging from £1 to several hundred pounds, to reflect increased costs and maintain the system's financial viability.

The changes came into effect the following day after the Order was made.

The Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Civil Penalty Code of Practice) Order 2025

Published: Thu 6th Mar 25

The Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Civil Penalty Code of Practice) Order 2025 establishes a revised code of practice for sanctions related to non-compliance with biometric registration regulations, effective March 27, 2025.

The revision facilitates a transition from physical to digital immigration documents and was preceded by public consultation.

The order applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The Recognition of Overseas Qualifications (Charges) (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 5th Mar 25

These regulations establish the fee structure for services related to recognizing overseas qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

They detail charges for statements of comparability, qualification reference statements, bundle services (standard and refugee-focused), and subscription packages to a qualification database.

Payment is made to the Secretary of State or a designated organization, with provisions for refunds.

These regulations replace the 2024 regulations, addressing drafting errors and incorporating feedback from devolved governments.

The Council Tax (Discount Disregards and Exempt Dwellings) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 4th Mar 25

These regulations, effective March 25th, 2025, modify existing council tax legislation in England.

They expand the categories of individuals eligible for council tax discounts and exempt dwellings to include those participating in the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and those entitled to a government thank you payment under associated guidance.

The changes apply to both discount disregards and exempt dwelling definitions, ensuring consistent treatment of Ukrainian arrivals within the council tax system.

The Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 25th Feb 25

These regulations, effective April 7, 2025, amend the Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance (Administration) Regulations 2003, the Guardian's Allowance (General) Regulations 2003, and the Child Benefit (General) Regulations 2006.

Key changes include removing outdated provisions related to refugee status and marital status in eligibility for benefits, updating approved training programs, and adjusting National Insurance number requirements for younger parents claiming child benefit.

The amendments aim to streamline administration, improve clarity, and modernize the benefit system.

The Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (Persons Abroad and Mariners) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 24th Feb 25

These regulations, effective April 6, 2025, extend statutory neonatal care pay eligibility under the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 to individuals working abroad, mariners, and those employed on the continental shelf.

The regulations specify conditions for eligibility, including employment location, employer liability for national insurance contributions, and periods of employment in the EEA. They also clarify the treatment of individuals under existing UK and EU social security legislation and establish procedures for compliance with time limits, particularly for those temporarily outside of the UK.

The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 13th Feb 25

The regulations modify multiple aspects of student financial support in England, updating payment rates and loan amounts for the 2025/26 academic year.

Key changes include introducing lower fees for foundation years, extending support to bereaved partners of Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veterans, enhancing disabled student allowances, and revising overseas territory definitions.

The amendments affect various existing regulations including student support, postgraduate loans, and fee limit conditions.

The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 10th Feb 25

These regulations amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations to extend driving privileges for Ukrainian nationals in Great Britain holding specific leave types under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Extension, and Ukraine Family Schemes.

The amendments specify different durations of driving permissions based on application dates and whether further leave extensions have been sought, ranging from one to four and a half years.

The regulations clarify definitions and provide multiple scenarios addressing different application timelines.