The UK government has introduced several significant changes to immigration policies, impacting various visa routes and regulations. Below is a detailed overview of the most important updates affecting the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), Skilled Worker visas, Care Worker sponsorship, and travel requirements for Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) – Effective 9 April 2025

• Expired Biometric Residence Cards & Permits: Non-EEA nationals can now use expired biometric residence cards or permits (up to 18 months old) as proof of identity when applying under the EUSS. Applicants using these expired documents will no longer need to resubmit biometrics.
• Administrative Review Protection: Applicants undergoing administrative review are now protected from removal unless they voluntarily leave the UK or have been granted entry (excluding those on immigration bail).
• Sponsorship Restriction: EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who obtained citizenship post-Brexit can no longer sponsor family members under the EUSS family permit route; family members must now apply through alternative visa routes such as Appendix FM.
• Refusals on Suitability Grounds: Applications can now be refused based on pre-Brexit conduct deemed to violate EU public policy rules, even without a deportation or exclusion order.
• Public Policy Test: Refusals under public policy or security grounds now require stricter “serious grounds” criteria for applicants with or eligible for indefinite leave under Appendix EU.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Exemptions – Effective 9 April 2025

• BN(O) Passport Holders: British Nationals (Overseas) are now exempt from the ETA requirement.
• French School Group Exemption: From 2 April 2025, children visiting the UK as part of a French school group will no longer require an ETA.

Child Student Visa Rule Changes – Effective 29 May 2025

• New Definition of Nominated Guardian: A nominated guardian is now defined as someone appointed to care for a Child Student outside of term-time (for less than 28 days) and act as the school’s emergency contact in the UK.
• Guardian Restrictions: A private foster carer, a close relative living with the child, or a Child Student’s parent/guardian (on a Parent of a Child Student visa) cannot serve as the nominated guardian.
• Additional Safeguarding Rules: The Home Office can now refuse applications where guardians are deemed unsuitable, particularly if they have criminal records.

Visa Requirements for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals – Effective 12 March 2025

• Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago must now apply for a visitor visa before travelling to the UK. The previous visa-free travel arrangement has ended.
• A six-week transitional period allows those with existing ETAs and confirmed flights before 3 PM on 12 March 2025 to enter the UK by 3 PM on 23 April 2025.
• This change stems from concerns over increased asylum claims from Trinidad and Tobago nationals, despite these claims accounting for just 0.4% of total UK asylum applications in 2024.

Skilled Worker and Care Worker Sponsorship Changes – Effective 9 April 2025

• Care Worker Sponsorship Protection: Employers must now attempt to recruit from the pool of Skilled Workers already in the UK before sponsoring new care workers from overseas. This measure protects migrant care workers at risk of unemployment due to employer licence issues.
• Skilled Worker Salary Increase: The minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker applicants has increased from £23,200 to £25,000 annually (£12.82 per hour). This change affects:
  • PhD STEM applicants (Category H)
  • Applicants in Immigration Salary List roles (Category I)
  • New entrants starting their careers (Category J)
  • Applicants in health and education roles (Category K)
• The working week for salary calculations has been reduced from 40 hours to 37.5 hours, impacting eligibility under salary thresholds.
• New Entrant Salary Reduction Rule: Applicants relying on the “new entrant” salary reduction must now hold a UK qualification to qualify.

Need Help with Your Visa or Sponsorship?

These changes will impact both employers and visa applicants, making ensuring compliance with the new rules more crucial than ever. At Sincere Immigration, we offer expert guidance on Care Worker visas, Sponsorship & Compliance, and Skilled Worker applications.

If you have any questions about how these updates affect you, contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.