Immigration Rights

There are millions of European nationals living in the UK. When the UK left the European Union (EU), these EU nationals needed to apply for immigration status because the EU’s free movement of people ended. The Home Office created the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) for EU nationals living in the UK and quickly began making […]

If you are applying for a UK family visa as a partner or spouse, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements. This includes requirements about finances, living arrangements, English language, and your relationship.  You will usually need to show that your relationship is genuine, ongoing and legally recognised for immigration purposes. You will also need to […]

From 1 October 2026, the duty for employers to carry out Right to Work checks applies to a wider range of working arrangements. Previously, checks were only required where there was a direct employer‑to‑employee relationship. Employers may now need to carry out checks on individuals who are not employees but still perform work for the […]

For many employers, the right to work check is a core compliance duty. Changes have now been implemented that will affect both the scope of these checks and who is responsible for carrying them out. Employers need to understand the impact of the changes from 1 October 2026. With clear internal procedures and the right […]

Overstaying a visa happens more often than people may realise. A student may think their visa runs longer past their graduation than it does, a skilled worker may face issues with sponsorship and delay their application while looking for jobs. A family member facing unexpected changes may make their application later than intended. Holding digital […]

In 2025, the UK Parliament’s Justice Committee launched a major inquiry into access to justice in England and Wales, placing the long-term consequences of legal aid cuts under scrutiny. The inquiry examines the state of legal services, representation, and the long-term impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), which reduced […]

The UK government has proposed significant reforms to the way migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), introducing a new “Earned Settlement” model that could substantially extend the time required to secure settlement in the UK. This FAQ explains what Earned Settlement is, how it may work in practice, who is likely to be affected, […]

A new report, Ethnic Minority EU Citizens in the UK (February 2026), highlights the barriers racialised EU citizens are experiencing in post-Brexit Britain. With funding from the EU Delegation the report is a result of a collaboration between academics and organisations working with migrants from racialised communities across the UK navigating post-Brexit systems. Here, we run through […]

In November 2025, the UK Government published A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, a consultation setting out significant reforms to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also referred to as settlement. Building on the May 2025 Immigration White Paper, the consultation proposes an “earned settlement” model that would extend qualifying periods, introduce income thresholds and penalties linked […]

This article covers how a digital-only immigration system increases risk for marginalised communities.  Since the Home Office introduced the digital immigration status and rolled out the eVisa, we have supported people navigating the new digital-only immigration system.  This shift did not begin with eVisas. The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was the first large-scale fully digital […]

In 2026, the British high street is still in transition. Across the UK, town centres continue to face rising costs, empty units, and the long aftershocks of the pandemic. Many national retail chains have not returned, and local authorities remain under pressure. Yet alongside this uncertainty, another story has been taking shape, one that points […]

In July 2025, important and consequential changes to the UK’s immigration system came into effect with direct implications for international workers on UK work visas and the organisations that employ them.  For NHS bodies, social care providers and independent health and care services, these changes have fundamentally altered how workforce planning, recruitment and retention must be approached. At […]

UK immigration law changed significantly in 2025. Through our casework and partnerships, Seraphus saw the real impact of these changes on employers, workers, families and people seeking asylum. From helping employers understand higher salary thresholds to employ workers, to supporting asylum seekers with family reunion, and advising people ahead of major changes to settlement rules, […]

Since the launch of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) in 2019, civil society organisations across the UK have played a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable EU citizens and their family members are able to secure their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Through Home Office grant funding, these organisations have provided essential legal advice and […]