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The UK Government has been making increasing use of concepts such as ‘safe countries of origin’ or ‘safe third countries’. It has also indicated its commitment to their ongoing use in its recent ‘Restoring Order and Control’ asylum and returns policy. However, this has been done with little analysis of the impact of their use on women seeking asylum in the UK. In response, Women in Refugee Law (WiRL) network and Asylos brought together refugee women, scholars, practitioners and those supporting women seeking protection at a roundtable, kindly supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account. Emily Wilbourn from Asylos and Christel Querton from WiRL set out the findings from their subsequent report.

What are ‘safe country’ concepts and why do they matter

The law surrounding safe country concepts in the UK is complex and vague. Our report, ‘The Impact of ‘Safe Country’ Concepts on Women Seeking Asylum in the UK’, aims to provide some clarity regarding the relevant provisions for the benefit of legislators, advocates and the general public. In brief, safe country concepts permit the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) to certify claims from nationals of ‘safe countries of origin’ as “clearly unfounded”. It also empowers the SSHD to declare some claims inadmissible. A decision that a claim is inadmissible may be made either because a person is from a ‘safe country of origin’ or because they have a connection to a ‘safe third country’.

Those found to have a connection to a safe third country may find themselves removed to any ‘safe third country’. This enables the UK to remove those with inadmissible asylum claims to any state deemed ‘safe’ provided that the state has agreed to receive them, as illustrated by the UK’s failed Rwanda plan. Thus, third countries can be designated as safe, and individuals may be removed to such countries without the need to demonstrate that the asylum applicant has any connection to such a third country.

Countries may be designated as safe where there is “in general” no serious risk of persecution and removing a person to such a place would not breach the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. In making that assessment, there are obligations on the SSHD to consider all the circumstances of the country in question (including its laws and how they are applied) and to have regard to information from “any appropriate sources”.

The current list of states (correct at March 2026) for which asylum claims are deemed “clearly unfounded” includes:

• the Republic of Albania
• Jamaica
• Macedonia
• the Republic of Moldova
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Ecuador
• South Africa
• Ukraine
• India
• Mongolia
• Ghana (in respect of men)
• Nigeria (in respect of men)
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Gambia (in respect of men)
• Kenya (in respect of men)
• Liberia (in respect of men)
• Malawi (in respect of men)
• Mali (in respect of men)
• Mauritius
• Montenegro
• Peru
• Serbia
• Sierra Leone (in respect of men)
• Kosovo
• South Korea.

The list of states which may lead to a declaration of inadmissibility includes:

• EU Member States
• Iceland
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Liechtenstein
• Albania
• Georgia (since 2024)
• India (since 2024).

Whilst an individual claim from these nationals may be considered “in exceptional circumstances” there is currently no guidance on the meaning of this test. This could potentially lead to an increasing number of claims which are not admitted to the asylum procedure.

The latest amendments to the SSHD’s power to declare claims inadmissible brought in by the Illegal Migration Act 2023 are currently only in force for the purpose of adding or removing states from the list. However, the SSHD has already made use of those powers to add Georgia and India to the list of states in 2024.

Significantly, individuals seeking asylum whose claim has been certified as clearly unfounded or declared inadmissible have lost their right of appeal since the adoption of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Those seeking asylum who have been subjected to the safe country provisions may only challenge the certifications/declarations through judicial review. This leaves many in lengthy legal limbo pending a substantive examination of their asylum and human rights claims if the reviews are successful.

Our report expresses concerns at the lack of scrutiny in the legislative process required for the adoption or amendments of safe country lists for the purpose of certification or inadmissibility. The report also notes the increasing use of mandatory language in the legislation, leading to reduced discretion by asylum decision-makers.

Disproportionate impact of safe country concepts on the international protection claims of women

Legislation that allows for women at risk of gender-based violence to be removed to countries of origin that fail to protect women and to safe third countries with which they have no connection is particularly concerning. Certain groups of individuals, including women, may experience heightened vulnerabilities and be exposed to gender-specific risks, which hinder their ability to access protection and safety in practice. Victims of trafficking from Albania may be adversely affected by this practice, for example. Whilst the Upper Tribunal acknowledges that some former victims of trafficking may be at risk of re-trafficking in Albania, their asylum and human rights claim may nonetheless be considered ‘clearly unfounded’ or declared inadmissible. Therefore, it is essential to consider how the UK could minimise these risks.

The use of ‘safe country’ concepts is controversial, due to ‘high risks’ of unfairness for some groups, who may still experience persecution, even when there is no general risk for most of the population. The WiRL/Asylos report argues that this fundamentally calls into question the rationality of their use. For women, including women who have been trafficked or experienced gender-based violence, who have a well-founded fear of serious harm in countries with no state protection, the designation of their country of origin as ‘safe’ is irrational. The considerable differences between which countries are considered ‘safe’ amongst European host states further highlights the lack of universal, objective and consistent application of safe country concepts. The application of the safe third country concept in the EU is often applied without individualised assessment, and in the absence of safeguards for women and girls. As the Helen Bamber Foundation recently noted in respect of victims of trafficking:

“The danger of refusing asylum based on an individual’s nationality alone is that it does not allow them the time and facilitation needed for these sensitive disclosures to take place or for survivors to understand the implications of their past trafficking experiences.”

Within a pressurised environment and when an asylum decision-maker is working on the assumption that the country of origin is safe, it is highly likely that an individual’s personal circumstances and vulnerabilities will be overlooked.

Key observations from the report

The WiRL/Asylos roundtable provided an opportunity to consider the challenges associated with the use of ‘safe country’ concepts and the impact on women seeking asylum in the UK. Roundtable participants raised significant concerns that deficiencies in the operation of ‘safe country’ concepts undermine their viability and raise the risk that women will be returned to countries where they will face serious harm. Factors that undermine the viability of ‘safe country’ concepts include:

• the lack of an automatic in-country right of appeal
• the lack of relevant and up-to-date country of origin information (COI) on gender-based violence against women
• the failure to utilise COI to inform assessments of safety even when available, and
• the absence of fixed periodic reviews of safe country designations.

The main evidential basis for safe country assessments in the UK is provided by Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs) produced by the Home Office. However, roundtable participants noted that CPINs do not always include sufficient gender-specific information or reflect local practices and customs pertaining to the situation of women. Participants also noted that many CPINs are infrequently updated, meaning that information can become outdated and fail to reflect realities on the ground. A number of participants queried how sources are selected for inclusion in CPINs and critiqued the lack of inclusion of information produced by women with lived experience – a factor which is not unique to CPINs, as much country of origin information research still does not incorporate lived experience as a form of expertise. Even where CPINs include relatively comprehensive information on the situation of women, participants perceived a lack of transparency in how the Home Office attributes weight to sources in making assessments of safety. It was noted that evidence calling into question the safety of a country did not always appear to be given weight in safe country assessments.

Another major theme raised by participants was the way in which the use of ‘safe country’ concepts reduces women’s access to justice, especially in a context that is already characterised by limited access to legal aid for people seeking asylum. In particular, with no automatic right of appeal if an asylum claim is declared inadmissible or certified on safe country grounds, as detailed above, women seeking asylum are left with no access to an effective remedy.  

The way forward

While participants of the roundtable fundamentally questioned the use of ‘safe country’ concepts because experience has shown that they cannot be applied in an effective or safe manner, there were many suggestions for mitigating risks in the current context. Participants stressed the need to strengthen the assessment of gender-specific risks associated with safe state designations through regular and meaningful consultation with women and organisations with relevant expertise. The right to an in-country appeal against an inadmissibility decision or a certification was also identified as a key safeguard. Other risk mitigation measures should include periodic review of safe country designations, and where gender-based violence risks to women are identified, serious consideration should be given as to whether there are solid grounds for declaring that the country is, in general, safe. Where the SSHD decides, nevertheless, to designate a country ‘safe’ even though the evidence indicates a risk to women of gender-based violence, women should be exempt from inclusion in the safe country designation.

Participants emphasised the need for independent monitoring of the quality of country information where there are concerns over the designation of a country as ‘safe’. Such monitoring should pay particular attention to the coverage and quality of information about women. Country of origin information underpinning safe country designations should be gender-sensitive, holistic and intersectional, incorporating the expertise of women with lived experience. This must also be underpinned by a fundamental shift in how knowledge that is produced by people with lived experience is recognised and valued by asylum decision-making authorities, so that highly relevant knowledge and perspectives based on lived experience form a meaningful part of the assessment of the safety of a country.

Only when these safeguards have been put in place can we begin to mitigate against the negative impacts of safe country concepts on women.

Emily Wilbourn is a Programme Manager at Asylos and has a background in research relating to asylum and refugee issues. She has also worked at Freedom from Torture and Amnesty International.

Dr Christel Querton is the Co-convenor of Women in Refugee Law (WiRL) and a Senior Lecturer in Law at UWE Bristol, where her research focuses on international refugee law, particularly persons fleeing armed conflicts and refugee women. Previously, she was a barrister at Lamb Building and has worked at Asylum Aid and Wilsons Solicitors LLP.

ILPA invites members and other leading experts to contribute articles to its monthly blog. The views expressed in all blog posts are the authors’ own and are not necessarily those of ILPA.

Related reading

ILPA / Rainbow Migration Joint Briefing Re: Draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Amendment of List of Safe States) Regulations 2024

Related training and events

Please see ILPA’s 2026 Training Programme for details of all upcoming training sessions.

Related working group

ILPA Refugee Working Group

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Contents

1. ILPA news
2. Legal team news and updates
3. Upcoming working group meetings and Co-convenor news
4. Upcoming training and events, including next week’s conference
5. Reports and Publications
6. Job vacancies
7. Home Office updates
8. ILPA Well-being

A reminder that ILPA’s Well-being Working Group will be meeting next Tuesday, 17 March 2026, at 4:00pm. All members are warmly invited to attend. 

ILPA News

ILPA WELL-BEING WORKING GROUP

Message from the Co-convenors

A reminder of the below message from the Co-convenors of ILPA’s Well-being Working Group:

ILPA’s Well-being working group will be meeting on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm. All members are invited to attend.
 

We are conscious that it is currently a difficult time for many members, especially those that are supporting colleagues, clients, family and friends in the Middle East. The meeting will be a safe space to share experiences and to offer one another support and solidarity. Please remember you can also access our range of well-being resources at any time here.
 

We look forward to welcoming members on 17 March. You can register for the meeting here.

ILPA CONFEFENCES

ILPA Annual Conference on Family & Immigration Law, 11 March 2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Conference on Family and Immigration Law yesterday and a particular thank you to the Conference Chairs and to all our panellists and speakers. If you haven’t already done so, please complete our in-person feedback form or online feedback form to let us know your feedback. As this was a new format, your comments, whether positive or critical, will be very helpful as we review how the conference was delivered. Thank you to all who respond.

Student Sponsors Conference, 19 March 2026

ILPA will be hosting our second Student Sponsors Conference on Thursday 19 March 2026, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, following on from the success of the inaugural event last year. The Conference will again be held as a hybrid event, taking place in-person at Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ and online via Zoom. The agenda is now available via the below booking links.

Book here > for in-person tickets and book here > to attend online.

Every ILPA training place directly supports our charitable work – helping our team promote fairness and access to justice in immigration.

Please also see the below training sessions coming up this month.

WEB 3137 Mergers and Acquisitions
Tuesday 17 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3123 Prevention of Illegal Working
Tuesday 24 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3152 Appeal Rights
Tuesday 24 March 2026. 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Book here >WEB 3139 Financial Requirements of Appendix FM
Wednesday 25 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

Legal team news & update

GENERAL

Home Office Update Re: Immigration Systems Updates, February and March 2026 (5 March 2026)

The Home Office’s update from 5 March 2026 regarding changes taking place in February and March, shared with members in last week’s all-member weekly email, can be read on our website. Read more > 

Earned Settlement Resources

A reminder that various resources relating to the Earned Settlement proposals, including documents produced by ILPA’s Earned Settlement Working Group, are available in the member-only section of the ILPA website. Our thanks to those members who have shared resources. See the resources >

Please also see the information shared with ILPA today by Migrants Rights Network on their ‘Not a Stranger Campaign Report’. Read more >

Mass Lobby of MPs on Earned Settlement (Parliament, 11 March 2026)

ILPA Chief Executive Tony Essien attended the mass lobby of MPs yesterday, 11 March 2026. Please see the below message from him:

Yesterday I attended the ‘Stand Up for Migrant Rights – Mass Lobby on Earned Settlement’ at Westminster to discuss proposals on earned settlement.

I met my local MP, Mohammad Yasin, and we discussed ILPA’s serious concerns about the proposals and he invited me to write to him setting out ILPA’s perspective and I will do so.

Events like this also provide an important opportunity to hear directly from people with long experience of supporting migrants and refugees. I met a volunteer from Thanet who has spent more than 30 years helping individuals navigate the UK immigration system, supporting communities including Ugandan Asians, Afghans, Ukrainians and Iranians.

I was delighted to meet an ILPA member for more than 30 years, and we spoke about how national immigration debates are reflected in local community experience in and around his local area. I also had the pleasure of meeting a member of the Global Somali Diaspora, and heard about her experience in Leicester. 

The conversations during the event were a reminder for me, a naturalised citizen, that immigration policy is not only a national debate but something that shapes real lives and communities. A great example was meeting a refugee from Zimbabwe, who will attend his naturalisation ceremony today, 12 March, a proud milestone for him and his family!

Home Office Update Re: British Nationals in the Middle East (12 March 2026) 

Please see the below message received from the ETA Engagement Team at the Home Office today, 12 March 2026:

The safety and security of British people is our top priority, and we are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely. In the first instance, dual British citizens should refer to Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK for the most up to date information.

Dual British citizens are expected to present either a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement to enter the UK. 

Recognising the potential impact of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on dual British nationals, we have issued temporary operational guidance to carriers on the acceptance of alternative documentation. This includes carriers accepting, at their discretion, an expired UK passport (issued 1989 or later) alongside a valid non-visa national third country passport, where biographic details match.

This is a short-term transitional measure and remains an operational decision for carriers. It does not replace the requirement to hold a valid UK passport or a valid CoE. Further details here: Electronic travel authorisation (ETA): guide for dual citizens – GOV.UK.

In an emergency situation, British dual nationals can also apply for an emergency travel document (ETD) Travel urgently from abroad without your UK passport: Who can apply – GOV.UK.

For the specific purpose of repatriation flights, expired British passports will be considered as acceptable evidence of British citizenship, provided the passport holder is still recognisable as the same person in the passport.

In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will continue to assess a person’s suitability to enter the UK and may conduct additional checks if required.

We will continue to take a compassionate and pragmatic approach to travellers who experience genuine difficulty while the ETA enforcement process settles. The clearest way to ensure a smooth journey remains travelling with a valid UK passport or a CoE to the right of abode.

VFS Corporate Flexi Appointment (5 March 2026)

Please see the below message received from VFS on 5 March 2026 regarding the new Corporate Flexi Appointment (CFA) service:

Thank you for your interest in our new product, the Corporate Flexi Appointment (CFA). As discussed, this service allows your customers to book an appointment at any VAC within their nominated country, at a date and time of their choosing (within operating hours) over a two‑week period. The new IT platform supporting the CFA has been designed to offer greater convenience and flexibility, removing the need for multiple individual payments and repeated searches for appointment availability when managing UK visa applications and allocating CFAs.

As mentioned on previous calls, the CFA will be sold through a tiered bundle structure, with pricing ranging from £250 to £500 per CFA depending on the package selected. The tiers are outlined below:

Bundles are valid for 12 months. Once purchased, they will appear on your dashboard within the new IT platform, ready for you to allocate to customers as needed.

Each CFA includes all available AVS services, including Premium Lounge and Prime Time (where offered). Customers may also use Premium Application Centres within their country, however, we recommend checking online for operating hours and frequency when considering this option with your customers.

To support first‑time users, VFS is offering an introductory bundle of 10 CFAs at £250 each (total bundle cost: £2,500).

Should you wish to proceed with this new service, the first step will be to onboard your team onto the new IT platform, followed by a training session. Once this is complete, you will be able to purchase the introductory bundle and begin allocating CFAs to your customers whenever you are ready. After the introductory bundle has been used, the full range of standard bundle packages will become available for purchase on your dashboard.

Interested members should contact the VFS team direct at [email protected]. 

Call for Evidence on Member Experiences of using VFS Global Services 

ILPA invites members to share their recent experiences of using VFS Global services so that we can continue to provide feedback in future meetings. If experiences relate to technical difficulties, we would greatly welcome a screenshot of the problem. If you are able to provide feedback that you are happy for ILPA to share with UKVI and VFS Global, please email [email protected]. Please seek the consent of your client/s to share the relevant reference number prior to providing feedback. Thank you very much to all who provide feedback.

The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026

The Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2026 was made on 9 March 2026 and came into effect one day later, on 10 March 2026. It amends the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2016 to raise the statutory fee maxima for certain visas, ETA, settlement routes, and nationality applications. An explanatory note and impact assessment have also been published. Read more >

ASYLUM AND REFUGEE

Home Office Updates Re: Asylum Support Changes (6/9 March 2026)

Please see the following updates regarding changes to asylum support:

• Home Office Update Re: Asylum Support Notice Period (6 March 2026)
  ILPA received a letter from the AHRO External Relations Team on 6 March 2026 confirming the Home Office’s approach in relation to the asylum support notice period for service users granted leave, following the conclusion of the 56-day pilot at the end of February 2026. Please note we have permission to share this with ILPA members and those working with people seeking asylum. Read the letter >
   
• Home Office ‘Move on’ Digital Leaflet (9 March 2026)
  The Home Office has created a Move On Timeline Infographic, which is given to all asylum applicants. A digital version of the leaflet can be downloaded from the ILPA website and distributed to clients/service users as needed. Download the leaflet >
   
• Home Office Update Re: Ceasing Section 95 Support Instruction (9 March 2026)
  The ‘Ceasing Section 95 Support Instructions’ Caseworker Guidance has been updated, mainly to expand instructions for extensions and reinstatements. Read the updated Guidance >

Government Consultation on Family Returns: Reforming Asylum 
Support and Enforcing Family Returns (5 March 2026)

As members will be aware, on 5 March 2026, coinciding with Statement of Changes HC 1695, the Home Office announced a Consultation on Family Returns. Read the Minister’s letter >

Please also see the below message ILPA received from the Home Office on 5 March 2026:

The Home Secretary set out in her statement in November, Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, the UK Government’s approach to tackle illegal migration and strengthen the integrity of the UK’s immigration system. As part of this work, the Government committed to consult on two key areas:

• the commencement of provisions in the Immigration Act 2016 that would enable the withdrawal of support from families who do not have a genuine barrier to leaving the UK; and
• the process for enforcing the removal of families, including proposals relating to the circumstances in which physical interventions may be used in the course of an enforced return.
   

This Family Returns Consultation seeks your/your organisation’s views on one or both areas. It is a targeted consultation with experts and will run for 12 weeks, from Thursday 5 March (today) until Thursday 28 May.

Read the Consultation >

Please send any comments to be included in ILPA’s response to the consultation as soon as possible to [email protected]; our current legal team will gather and compile responses until 8 April 2026. Please also ensure you have obtained your client’s consent before sharing any case details. Thank you in advance to those who respond.

UNHCR Report Re: Asylum Interviews in the UK (9 March 2026)

Please see the below information from Tim Samuel-Davies at UNHCR regarding their new report Asylum Interviews in the UK together with details of two online meetings they are holding to present their findings:

This research, conducted by UNHCR through the Quality Protection Partnership, examines opportunities to strengthen the quality of asylum interviews in the UK. Drawing on a review of 60 asylum interviews, extensive discussions with Decision-Makers and stakeholders across the asylum system, and an assessment of current training and support tools, the report highlights key areas where the Home Office can enhance interviewing practices with the overall aim of improving the quality of asylum decisions.
 

Recommendations include ensuring a best-practice interviewing model is followed in all asylum interviews, refining training to better equip Decision-Makers with effective interview techniques, developing the skills of Decision-Makers in conducting the assessment of credibility, strengthening interpretation standards and revising interview support tools to increase their usefulness to Decision-Makers.
 

UNHCR is grateful to the Home Office for facilitating this important work, and for the way in which they have engaged with our findings as these emerged during the course of our review. Seven of the ten recommendations were accepted in full and the remaining three were partially accepted. The Home Office has already made a number of positive changes in response to our feedback and has committed to further actions to address areas we highlighted for improvement. UNHCR will continue to work in partnership with the Home Office on these initiatives.
 

For those representing asylum seekers, the report offers important insights into how asylum interviews are conducted and how this may influence the overall quality of the asylum decision. It also serves as an introduction to best practice in investigative interviewing, which is of real value to anyone who takes witness statements as part of their role.
 

UNHCR will be presenting the findings of our report and inviting discussion at an online meeting on Thursday 19^th March at 11 a.m. To register, please click here.
 

For the legal sector specifically, we will be holding a further meeting on Tuesday 24^th March at 4.30 p.m. to discuss ways in which practitioners can best support applicants going through the asylum process. To register, please click here.
 

For those interested in furthering their understanding of best practice interviewing for asylum interviews, UNHCR’s Interviewing for Protection eLearning Course (IPeLC) is publicly available among many other resources at UNHCR’s Learning Portal.

New Baobab Briefing: Unaccompanied Minors, Mental Health and the ‘Danish Model’ (11 March 2026)

In light of the changes to immigration, asylum and settlement rules in the UK, Baobab has undertaken a review of the impacts of similar measures enacted in the last decade in Denmark on children and young people seeking asylum.  They issued a briefing on 11 March 2026, in which they share three main findings:

• Deterrence policies are ineffective — they do not reduce the number of unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children (UASCs) arriving in the UK.
• Temporary protection, restrictive family reunification rules, and the threat of removal have severe negative impacts on young people’s mental health.
• Harsher integration policies undermine integration by reducing both the ability and motivation of young people to build their lives in their host communities.

Read the Briefing >

Our thanks to Baobab for sharing this with ILPA members.

RAMFEL/Refugee and Migrant Justice Rebrand (6 March 2026)

Please see the below message to ILPA members from RAMFEL/Refugee and Migrant Justice regarding their rebrand:

RAMFEL is now Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ). What started as a small advice service in an East London church hall has grown into one of the UK’s largest providers of immigration legal advice and a leading national voice standing for the rights of migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum. As we’ve grown, so has our responsibility. Every day we see the injustice and discrimination people face. Alongside providing vital legal support, we challenge injustice and the hostile environment framework harming migrants across the UK.
 

So, we’re thrilled to launch our new look, including a new logo and brand-new website! Our new logo features bold black lettering sitting on red “tape” with a jagged, broken edge, a symbol of breaking barriers and cutting through red tape that keeps people from accessing safety and justice. Our new name, Refugee and Migrant Justice, reflects our mission to support people in crisis, improve access to justice, and dismantle the barriers standing in people’s way.
 

Our new and improved website: https://www.rmjustice.org.uk/ 

DIGITALISATION

Government Consultation Re: Making public services work for you with your digital identity (10 March 2026)

On 10 March 2026, the Government announced it is launching an open consultation seeking views on ‘proposed national digital ID system for British and Irish citizens and foreign nationals with permission to be in the UK’. Read more >

The consultation is now open and closes at 12:30pm on 5 May 2026. Please send any comments to [email protected] as soon as possible (the current legal team will receive and compile comments until 8 April 2026) and please ensure you have obtained your client’s consent before sharing any case details. Thank you in advance to those who respond.

ILPA / the3million online reporting tool, including form for reporting travel problems

A reminder to please report any issues people are experiencing with obtaining digital status and with proving their rights to the3million and ILPA’s online reporting tool. In April, a second, abbreviated reporting form was added to capture problems travelling to the UK with an eVisa. The information recorded will create an evidence base to call for change and improvements to the system. Please also share this resource widely. More details > 

ECONOMIC MIGRATION

Revolut Secures UK Banking Licence (11 March 2026) 

It has been reported in the media that Revolut has now been awarded a full banking licence in the UK, having first applied in 2021. Read more >

Draft Student Sponsor Guidance (5 March 2026)

A reminder that UKVI Study Services has shared with ILPA drafts of the Student Sponsor Guidance: ‘Responsibilities regarding Agents’ and ‘Student sponsor compliance’. Both documents can be viewed on the ILPA website. Please note these must not be shared outside the ILPA membership. Read more >

The draft documents will be discussed at the Student Sponsors Conference on 19 March 2026. Register here >

EUROPEAN

IMA Inquiry into Delays in Issuing Decisions on Applications to the EUSS (11 March 2026) 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) inquiry has found that the Home Office breached the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens by failing to deal with some EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications in a reasonable timeframe. Read more >

The full report is also available to read on the IMA website. Read the report in full >

Call for Examples Re: EUSS Pre-settled Status allegedly ‘granted in error’

the3million is increasingly seeing cases where pre-settled status holders, on trying to upgrade to settled status, are informed that their pre-settled status was granted in error and therefore will not be extended once it reaches its stated expiry date. 

Some patterns are emerging, including where the Home Office originally granted pre-settled status because they accepted that someone had an EU nationality by the required date (because they had acquired the nationality in law from birth) despite not (yet) having identity documents in that EU nationality. Now, the Home Office is stating that the person was not a relevant EEA citizen at the required date.

If you are seeing cases like this with disputed EU nationality, the3million would be very grateful if you could send them a short, anonymised summary, specifying the person’s disputed EU nationality and any other nationalities they held.

If you are seeing cases of status ‘granted in error’ for different reasons, the3million would also be very grateful to receive short, anonymised summaries.

Please send your summaries to Monique Hawkins, the3million’s Head of Policy and Advocacy at [email protected] by Monday 16 March 2026. When sharing the summaries, please obtain and provide express permission for the3million to use the summary in its advocacy, including when highlighting the issue to embassies through the EU delegation.

FAMILY AND PERSONAL MIGRATION

ILPA Meeting with the Home Office Family and Human Rights Unit (9 March 2026) 

On 9 March 2026, ILPA’s Family & Personal Migration Working Group met with the Home Office’s Family and Human Rights Unit (FHRU). The meeting included important information and updates on:

• Operational and other FHRU updates
• Rule changes
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) refusals and recourse to public funds
• Fee Waivers
• Interviews regarding disputed nationality of the child of a single parent

Read the update in full >

REMOVALS, DETENTION AND OFFENCES 

Outcome of Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy, Rule 34 and Rule 25 Review  In March 2025, the Home Office shared with ILPA its options paper for the Adults at Risk in Immigration Detention policy, Rule 34, and Rule 35 Review, and in April 2025 we contributed to a joint sector response to the proposals. The Detention Sub-Group, of which ILPA is a part, received a letter from Minister for Border Security & Asylum Alex Norris MP on 9 March 2026 informing the group of the outcome of the AAR review. Read more >

ILPA Working Groups

Working groups are open to all ILPA members. If you work in an area of law covered by one of the working groups and/or you are based in an area where there is a regional working group, please ensure you have subscribed in order to receive notifications and updates. 

CO-CONVENOR NEWS

Kezia Tobin, Barrister at Goldsmith Chambers, will be stepping down as a co-convenor of ILPA’s Digitalisation Working Group. Kezia has been a co-convenor since the working group was established in September 2023 and we would like to thank her for all she has done during her time in the role.

UPCOMING WORKING GROUP MEETINGS 

The following meetings will be taking place in March 2026. All meetings will be held on Zoom unless otherwise stated:

ILPA Yorkshire and North East Working Group Meeting
Today, Thursday 12 March 2026. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Register here >

ILPA Well-being Working Group Meeting
Tuesday 17 March 2026. 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Register here >

ILPA South West Working Group Meeting
Thursday 19 March 2026. 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Register here >

ILPA Courts and Tribunals Working Group Meeting
Thursday 26 March 2026. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Register here >

ILPA Economic Migration Working Group Meeting
Wednesday 15 April 2026. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Register here > 
This meeting will take place both online on Zoom and in person at Mayer Brown, 201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AF. If you wish to attend in person, in addition to registering via the above link, please email [email protected] no later than 5pm on Tuesday 14 April 2026 so that your details can be added to the guest list for the purposes of managing numbers and facilitating entry to the building. 

ILPA Scotland Working Group Meeting
Thursday 16 April 2026. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Register here >

ILPA Family and Personal Migration Working Group Meeting
Wednesday 29 April 2026. 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Register here >Dates for all 2026 working group meetings can be viewed on the ILPA website. Read more > 

ILPA Training

ILPA TRAINING

Please see our website calendar for details of all upcoming ILPA training and events, with a reminder that you need to be logged in to book member-only events and you will need your ILPA membership number to take advantage of member rates. 

Every ILPA training place directly supports our charitable work – helping our team promote fairness and access to justice in immigration.

Training taking place in March and April 2026 is as follows:

WEB 3137 Mergers and Acquisitions
Tuesday 17 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3123 Prevention of Illegal Working
Tuesday 24 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3152 Appeal Rights
Tuesday 24 March 2026. 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Book here >

WEB 3139 Financial Requirements of Appendix FM
Wednesday 25 March 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here > 

WEB 3138 Expansion Worker: an overview
Wednesday 8 April 2026. 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3142 Sponsor Licences and Compliance: obtaining and keeping a licence
Wednesday 15 April 2026. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3151 Unjustifiably Harsh Consequences
Please note new date: Thursday 18 April 2026. 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Book here >

WEB 3153 Global Talent
Thursday 30 April 2026. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Book here >

Further details of our 2026 Training Programme can be found on the ILPA website. 

ILPA CONFERENCES

WEB 3132 ILPA Student Sponsors Conference
Thursday 19 March 2026. 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Book here > for in-person tickets, and book here > to attend online. 

ILPA WEBINAR RECORDINGS

If you are unable to attend any of our training sessions, we offer a 15% discount on purchases of ILPA webinar recordings after the live session (discount not applicable for recordings of ILPA conferences). The link to the recording will be available to purchase for up to three months after the live session and will be sent with all the training materials and slides associated with the webinar. The following recordings are now available to purchase:

• WEB 3135 Skilled Worker Changes Six Months On
• WEB 3146 s4L Discretionary Registration for Adults
• WEB 3140 Business Immigration in the UK Conference
• WEB 3136 Sole and Shared Parental Responsibility: rules and practice
• WEB 3147 Leave Outside the Immigration Rules
• WEB 3149 Visit Visa Challenges
• WEB 3143 Introduction to Business Immigration

Please email [email protected] to place your order, providing the name of the course title/s you’d like to purchase. Please also get in touch with any questions you may have.
 

OTHER EVENTS 

ILPA members are warmly invited to the following events:

Report Launch: ‘Inaccessible legal pathways: Reuniting child relatives with family members with protection status in the UK’
River Room, King’s College London (Strand Campus). Tuesday 17 March 2026. 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Register here >

Report Launch: ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief for All: Recognising and Protecting the Non-Religious in the Asylum System’
Online. Tuesday 24 March 2026. 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Register here >

Roundtable: UNHCR ‘Asylum Interviews in the UK’ Report
Online. Tuesday 24 March 2026. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Register here >

Reports & Publications

• UNHCR / Asylum Interviews in the UK: Audit Findings and Recommendations (9 March 2026)
   
• Baobab / Unaccompanied Minors, Mental Health and the ‘Danish Model’ (5 March 2026)
   
• Administrative Justice Council (AJC) / Digital Reform and the Tribunal User Experience in the Modernised Tribunal Service (March 2026)

ILPA Jobs Board

ILPA members benefit from significantly reduced rates to advertise jobs with us. More details about our fees and how to submit a job ad can be found here > 

CURRENT VACANCIES

• Senior Immigration Consultant, UKPERMITS & VISAS. Apply by 31 March 2026.
   
• Immigration Law & Practice Expert, Bar Standards Board. Apply by 7 April 2026.

Home Office Updates

Updates received from 4 to 11 March 2026 inclusive.

GENERAL

• Visa brake imposed on 4 countries after widespread visa abuse (4 March 2026). News story. First published.
• Code of conduct for interpreters: caseworker guidance (4 March 2026). Guidance updated throughout. A full list of changes can be found in the guide.
• Migration research and analysis (5 March 2026). Added ‘Asylum hotel savings from introducing visit visa requirements’.
• Home Secretary’s speech on immigration: 5 March 2026 (5 March 2026). First published.
• Visa brake: changes to the UK visa system (5 March 2026). First published.
• Higher standard of English now required to settle in the UK (5 March 2026). First published.
• Foreign criminals excluded from UK under strict new rules (5 March 2026). First published.
• Estimated lifetime net fiscal costs for care workers and their adult dependants (5 March 2026). First published and added to Migration research and analysis and Migration analysis at the Home Office.
• UK visa requirements: list for carriers (5 March 2026). Added Nicaragua and Saint Lucia to the list of UK visa requirements.
• Impact assessments covering migration policy (10 March 2026). Added impact assessments for the visa brake and the further extension of the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.

ASYLUM AND REFUGEE

• Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (5 March 2026). Updated information on the upcoming changes to the scheme.
• Asylum accommodation requests: caseworker guidance (5 March 2026). This update reflects the implementation of the Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and includes amendments arising from the removal of the duty to provide asylum support.
• Conditions of support: caseworker guidance (5 March 2026). Updated guidance to add illegal working as a reason to suspend or stop section 95, section 98 and section 4 support.
• Asylum hotel savings from introducing visit visa requirements (5 March 2026). First published.
• ‘Over £370 million saved in crackdown on asylum claims by tourists’ (5 March 2026). First published.
• Funding instructions for resettlement programmes (6 March 2026). Added the UK resettlement programmes funding instruction 2024 to 2025, the Afghan schemes funding instructions 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026, and the unaccompanied asylum seeking children and leaving care funding instructions. Added links to forms for local authorities to report resettlement changes.
• Ceasing asylum support: caseworker guidance (9 March 2026). Updated to reflect the revised 42-day grace period applicable to individuals granted refugee status or other leave to remain.
• CPIN Egypt: opposition to the state (9 March 2026). Updated.
• Afghan Resettlement Programme: policy guidance (11 March 2026). Updated ‘ACRS Separated families pathway’ and ‘Integrating into life in the UK’ sections.

COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

• Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC) About us  (4 March 2026). 2 February 2026 minutes published.

DIGITALISATION

• Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (5 March 2026). Nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia can no longer get an ETA.
• Updates on the move to eVisas (11 March 2026). Updated with information about adding Home Office travel documents to UKVI accounts.
• Using the ‘UK ETA’ app (11 March 2026). Change made:
• ‘Scan the passport’ section: added a link to the video ‘top tips on how to scan a passport biometric chip’.
• Taking a photo for a visa application or permission: video (11 March 2026). Updated the video on how to take a photo for a visa application or permission.

ECONOMIC MIGRATION

• Introduction to the sponsorship management system: SMS manual 1 (6 March 2026). The title of the manual has been changed to Introduction to SMS and managing user access. A link to the sponsor change of circumstances form has been added. The Educator’s Helpdesk contact details have been removed.
• Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 3: sponsor duties and compliance (6 March 2026). The guidance has been updated.
• Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors: glossary (6 March 2026). First published and added to Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators.
• Sponsor an International Agreement worker (6 March 2026). Guidance updated to reflect the replacement of exempt vignettes with the digital record of exemption.
• Sponsor a Scale-up Worker (6 March 2026). Guidance updated as detailed in first section.
• Workers and Temporary Workers – guidance for sponsors part 1: apply for a licence (6 March 2026). Guidance updated to clarify the burden of proof in sponsor licence decisions, including that we may take action in the event of a reasonable suspicion of non-compliance; confirm that membership of the sponsorship scheme is voluntary; introduce the term ‘eligible role’ (see the glossary for a full definition); and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.
• Sponsor a worker: sponsor guidance part 2 (6 March 2026). This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). A full list of changes is in the document.
• Sponsor a Skilled Worker (6 March 2026). This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). Details of the changes are set out within the document.
• Sponsor a Global Business Mobility worker (6 March 2026). This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). A full list of changes is in the document.
• Sponsor guidance appendix D: keeping records for sponsorship (6 March 2026). This version replaces version 11/25 (published on 11 November 2025). The changes are detailed within the guidance.

FAMILY AND PERSONAL MIGRATION

• Form UKM: guidance (5 March 2026). Updated the section ‘Travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen’.
• Form UKF: guidance (5 March 2026). Updated the section ‘Travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen’.
• Form B(OS): guidance (6 March 2026). Updated the ‘Travelling to and from the UK after registering’ section.
• Form RS1: guidance (6 March 2026). Updated the section ‘Travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen’.
• Form T: guidance (6 March 2026). Updated the ‘Travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen’ section.
• Form S: guidance (6 March 2026). Updated section on travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen.
• Registration as British if your mother had connection to a British Overseas Territory (9 March 2026). Guidance updated to reflect that a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode is now digital and can no longer be placed in a passport.
• Registration as a British Overseas Territories citizen (BOTC(F)) (9 March 2026). Guidance updated to reflect that a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode is now digital and can no longer be placed in a passport.
• Victims of domestic abuse: caseworker guidance (6 March 2026). Migrant victims of domestic abuse concession: added a new section on ensuring an applicant’s UKVI account is secure.
• Application to register as British citizen: form EM (6 March 2026). Updated section on ‘Travelling to and from the UK after becoming a British citizen’ in guidance.
• How to apply for British citizenship as a person of Chagossian descent (10 March 2026). Updated the wording to remove reference to the right of abode (ROA) being placed in a passport following the move to digital ROA certificates.

IMMIGRATION RULES

• Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1695, 5 March 2026 (5 March 2026). First published.
• Immigration Rules: statement of changes (5 March 2026). Added the statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1695, 5 March 2026.
• Immigration Rules (5 March 2026). Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list – Changes made in line with Statement of Changes HC 1691.
• Immigration Rules (5 March 2026). Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List – Changes made in line with Statement of Changes HC 1691.
• Immigration Rules archive: 8 January 2026 to 4 March 2026 (6 March 2026). First published.
• Archive: Immigration Rules (6 March 2026). Added the Immigration Rules archive: 8 January 2026 to 4 March 2026.

INSPECTIONS

• Memorandum of Understanding between the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons (4 March 2026). Updated.
• ICIBI Current inspections (5 March 2026). First published and subsequently updated to day the inspection report on Home Office country of origin information on Afghanistan and Colombia has been sent to the Home Secretary.
• ICIBI Inspection work in progress (5 March 2026). The Independent Chief Inspector’s report on ‘An inspection of asylum casework’ has been sent to the Home Secretary today for publication. Please note the ‘work in progress’ page has now been replaced by a ‘current inspections’ page.

KNOWLEDGE BASE PROFILES

• Bulgaria: Knowledge Base profile (9 March 2026). The change of name section has been updated to show how a Bulgaria customer can change documents to their married name, and that it is not possible for a customer to change their name due to a change of gender. The gender recognition section has been updated to show gender change is not recognised in Bulgaria.
• Lithuania: Knowledge Base profile (9 March 2026). Names section updated to remove information relating to the letters not found in the Lithuanian alphabet, as the law has changed to allow these in Lithuania identity documents.
• Pakistan: Knowledge Base profile (9 March 2026). Updated the list of accepted dual nationality countries.
• South Africa: Knowledge Base profile (9 March 2026). Updated the documents section to clarify what a birth certificate will show if the parents are not South African nationals.

PASSPORTS

• Photo standards: caseworker guidance (4 March 2026). This guidance has been updated in the ‘bars in photos’ section.
• Old blue (hardback style) passports: caseworker guidance (10 March 2026). Updated the section Customer has provided documents and evidence issued before the Old Blue passport.
• Decide if an application is a UK or overseas submission: caseworker guidance (10 March 2026). This guidance has been updated to change product terminology from overseas to international when referring to applications, customers and addresses and to remove references to the Application Management System.
• Treaty rights: caseworker guidance (10 March 2026). Updated the section Before you process a first time Treaty rights passport application.

REMOVALS, DETENTION AND OFFENCES

• Information for your immigration bail reporting appointment (4 March 2026). First published.
• Returns from the UK and enforcement activity (5 March 2026). Published the note on family returns from the UK between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025.
• Visitors and visiting procedures for detained individuals (5 March 2026). Updated guidance to clarify the retention period for cancelled visits.
• Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity (5 March 2026). News Story. First published.
• Returns preparation: caseworker guidance (5 March 2026). Added Enhanced Voluntary Returns offer pilot: interim guidance.
• Average cost of an Immigration Enforcement return FY 2024 to 2025 (9 March 2026). First published and added to Migration research and analysis.

WINDRUSH

• Windrush Compensation Scheme: claim forms and guidance (10 March 2026). Updated the Primary claimant, Representative of an estate, and Close family member forms and guidance to change the term ‘maiden name’ to ‘name before marriage’.

ILPA Well-being

Members are reminded of the Well-being section in the ILPA Member Forum and the Well-being Resources Hub on the ILPA website, together with information about Mental Health and Well-being Training. Find out more >

The next meeting of ILPA’s Well-being Working Group will be taking place on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 4pm. Register here >

Kind regards,
ILPA

The post ILPA Weekly Update (9 March 2026) appeared first on ILPA.

The post ILPA Evidence to the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) Re. Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules: HC 1691 (13 March 2026) appeared first on ILPA.

Operational and other FHRU updates 

1. As previously shared with members, the FHRU confirmed that members should continue to use the following email address when contacting the Home Office to update them about their clients’ family and private life cases and/or for documentation: [email protected]. We understand that once an email is received at this address, it will be shared with the correct department who can act accordingly. If members are noticing that requests are not being dealt with in a timely manner, please contact [email protected] letting us know.
2. The guidance on ‘permitting access to public funds’ which deals with Change of Conditions (CoC) applications, was updated on 10 February 2026. The guidance introduces a tiered approach to prioritisation of CoC applications, which can be read from page 9 of the guidance. Tier 1 refers to an applicant who is either street homeless or has a serious vulnerability requiring their application to be considered as soon as possible within 72 working hours (excluding bank holidays), whereas Tier 2 refers to cases where an applicant (or their dependants(s)) has serious vulnerabilities but their situation is not so urgent to meet the Tier 1 threshold. These applications should be considered as soon as possible within 14 working days. The FHRU confirmed that most of the applications they are receiving fall into the Tier 2 category and the service standard of 14 working days is being met. 
3. Operationally, there are some new challenges this year in terms of planning, as there are budget constraints across the Home Office. However, the FHRU has been receiving support from other areas in the Home Office and further changes may be made to help the FHRU meet their resource needs. In the meantime, decision making for human rights applications may experience some ongoing but temporary delays, while the Home Office engages with some efficiency changes to re-regularise decision making timeframes. Other efficiencies will be internal facing, so while they may not be obvious immediately, members should see operational progress in time. One example of this is the use of AI when assessing bank statements for fee waiver applications. 
4. The 2025 Annual Quality Assessment has shown that the FHRU has maintained a substantial rating in the high 90% range for decision making, whereas other routes, such as asylum, are typically around 75%. 
5. The FHRU touched on the recent transparency data, and shared that leave to remain applications have been consistent throughout 2025, averaging around 31,000 applications each quarter. They have seen around 92%-93% and up to 95% on the super priority route, maintaining good service there. Outstanding caseloads have increased at the end of Q4 (2025), by just over 3,000, though this is at a slower rate when compared to the previous quarter which was over 6,000. CoC applications, on the other hand, have been stabilised with a reduction in outstanding caseload, which is down to under 1000. 

Rule changes

6. ILPA asked the FHRU on their plans for implementing the expected family rule changes. The FHRU confirmed that significant policy work is ongoing at the moment on the new family policy and article 8 reform, as well as the ongoing pause on refugee family reunion applications and the ‘core work and study’ routes for refugees. 
7. ILPA raised the issue around how the new Part Suitability is being approached for applications, particularly in relation to discretionary grounds such as prior overstaying, and whether there is sufficient guidance for Home Office caseworkers as there is insufficient public facing guidance. ILPA’s previous update on Part Suitability can be read here. The FHRU noted that there may be a publication issue or miscommunication between the guidance internally confirmed for publication on the Gov.uk website and what is actually published. We understand from the FHRU that there is no internal or hidden guidance from which caseworkers are working from, and any confusion is a genuine disparity which is accidental. However, they will review the relevant guidance documents and share with ILPA the parts which were changed, after which ILPA will have an opportunity to feedback concerns with the relevant guidance in writing. The FHRU also confirmed that caseworkers have received training and attend routine weekly meetings where issues around Part Suitability interpretation, as well as other matters, can be raised. We will keep members updated with any developments.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) refusals and recourse to public funds

8. ILPA flagged that members have reported an increasing number of ILR refusals, which is often on suitability grounds or breaks in the applicant’s residence. These individuals are then asked to pay the IHS fee and are then granted limited leave to remain, but where they previously had recourse to public funds, their limited leave is granted with a NRPF condition, thereby requiring a separate CoC application to be made. ILPA asked whether caseworkers working on the ILR application could ask whether recourse to public funds is required prior to decision making. The FHRU welcomed this suggestion and confirmed that they would take this away for consideration. 

Fee Waivers

9. ILPA raised that members have reported instances where their clients are granted fee waivers but no travel assistance to enrol their biometrics, and whether it would be possible to have a more joined up process. The FHRU confirmed that there is quite a bit of transformation happening on existing systems, and a significant transformation went through recently where if an applicant was accepted for a fee waiver, they should receive a letter by ‘auto-notify’. Shortly after this went live, it was revealed that some of the template letters had not been uploaded correctly, and therefore, those who should have travel assistance may instead be receiving the incorrect template informing them that they are not eligible for travel assistance. This has been raised internally by the FHRU as a high level risk, and a workaround exists until the development team can fix this. In the meantime, members are encouraged to contact the Service and Support Centre (SSC) on 0800 055 6355 or the [email protected] email address, if their clients, who are granted fee waivers, also require travel assistance. The FHRU will update ILPA once the matter is resolved. If members cannot receive a resolution after contacting the SSC, please let us know by contacting [email protected]. Separate communications from the Home Office on this point should follow in due course. 
10. ILPA also raised whether there are any plans to combine the fee waiver and substantive application to avoid the risk of overstaying within the two-stage process. The FHRU welcomed this approach and confirmed that they would take this into consideration. 

Interviews regarding disputed nationality of the child of a single parent

11. ILPA enquired whether there had been a change that has resulted in an increase in interviews in family and human rights related applications. The FHRU confirmed that they are following the principles set out in the asylum interview guidance, but appreciate that they are interviewing under a different route and specific guidance would be helpful. ILPA has offered to assist the FHRU with any guidance they are developing for this purpose. 
    
    Misc
    
12. ILPA raised a member who submitted an in-country Appendix FM application for their client as an unmarried partner was directed to book an appointment at an SSC rather than through TLS, despite the correct form being used the client not having any vulnerabilities or complex circumstances (such as overstaying), or a fee waiver. The FHRU confirmed that there are no changes made to the routing of these applications, but they will take this away to look into further. If members experience similar routing problems for biometric enrolment appointments, please let ILPA know by contacting [email protected].

The post ILPA Meeting with the Home Office Family and Human Rights Unit (9 March 2026) appeared first on ILPA.

Job title: Immigration Law & Practice Expert

Organisation: Bar Standards Board

Deadline: Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 9am

Salary: £330 per day (seven hours) and £165 per half-day (three and a half hours)

Website: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/

About the role:

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is seeking to recruit eight experts to join our Advisory Pool of Experts (APEX). Expertise is sought in the following specialist areas:

To advise on policy:

• Data analytics
• Economic crime
• Regulatory practice
• Statistics

To advise our staff who take regulatory decisions:

• Authorisations and waivers
• Complex business structures
• Employment law
• Immigration law and practice

The BSB regulates barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. Our vision is to regulate the Bar in the public interest by promoting high standards, equality and access to justice. We are responsible for:

• Setting education and training requirements;
• Setting standards;
• Authorising organisations;
• Monitoring the service provided; and
• Assessing reports about conduct.
  APEX offers a flexible way of contributing to important and interesting topics in our policy development at an early stage or supporting our staff where they need expert advice to inform regulatory decisions. APEX members are not employees of the Bar Standards Board, but we recognise your input publicly and show your details on our website. You will be paid for your time. You will become part of a group of experts from a range of different specialisms, with regular opportunities to come together and learn from each other.

For more information on how to apply, please review the candidate pack which can be found on our website. Candidates should provide a covering letter outlining how they meet the competencies required for the position(s), together with a CV, supporting details form, and equality and diversity monitoring form (optional).

Please see our website for further details on the roles and how to apply. Vacancies are open until 9am on Tuesday 7 April 2026.

Please send completed applications to: [email protected]

Interviews will take place in London in the weeks commencing Monday 11 May and Monday 18 May 2026 (details to be confirmed).

We welcome applications from all people who meet the role requirements regardless of background. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of the profession we regulate and the public we serve. We welcome and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences.

APPLY HERE

The post Immigration Law & Practice Expert, Bar Standards Board appeared first on ILPA.

Job title: Senior Immigration Consultant

Organisation: UK Permits & VISAS

Location:  Hertfordshire

Deadline: Tuesday, 31 March 2026

Salary: £40,000 – 50,000 depending on experience with an opportunity to build equity ownership

Website: www.ukpermits.com

About the role:

Senior Immigration Consultant Location: Office Herts /WFH

This is an opportunity to join me in running a long established OISC level 3 registered immigration firm providing excellent and affordable immigration legal services to private and corporate clients.
We expect a package £40-50K depending on experience with an opportunity to build equity ownership.
We rely extensively on word-of-mouth referrals by private clients by providing them with exceptional service. Our corporate clients include multi-national organisations where we have been retained to manage their sponsor licences and provide Immigration advice and services for many years.
The successful candidate will ideally have at least 4 years’ experience managing their own caseload and contributing to new client acquisition. They must be able to manage client’s expectation by discussing deadlines and ensure matters are dealt with in a timely manner, exceeding client expectations wherever possible.
The candidate must have an experience across all immigration categories with experience of preparing and conducting appeals at the Immigration Tribunal desirable.
Flexible working arrangements available.
Key Responsibilities
• Attending all forms of client engagement to take their detailed instructions.
• Preparation and filling in-country and out of country applications.
• Supporting Corporate client’s HR/recruitment/RTW processes and Management of Sponsor Licences
• Drafting representation and letters to the Home Office and other third parties.
• Advising clients in relation to the supporting documents required for the relevant visa category.
Key Skills
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the UK Immigration Rules.
• Have good communication skills and be confident when speaking to clients both over the phone/zoom and in person.
• Be familiar with Microsoft Outlook, Word and other similar applications.
• Be able to prepare cases independently.
• Have excellent drafting skills.
• Be open to share ideas and suggestions to improve processes and business operations.

You will a qualified solicitor, or ideally registered at IAA level 3, although an exceptional level 2 candidate willing to work towards level 3 registration will be considered.

How to Apply If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your CV with a cover letter FAO The Directors to [email protected]

The post Senior Immigration Consultant, UK Permits & VISAS appeared first on ILPA.