UK Airports to Roll Out Contactless eGates for Streamlined Border Entry

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration has published an updated list of immigration and nationality fees. These new fees start on 8 October 2026. This document, called 'Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 October 2026', states that all application fees for visas and nationality routes will stay the same. This applies whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. This means the fee structure that started on 8 April 2026 will continue to be used.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration has updated its caseworker instruction on doubtful, disputed, unknown and other nationality cases to version 8.0. The GOV.UK publication page was updated on 6 October 2026, while the new document itself states that version 8.0 was published for Home Office staff on 30 September 2026. It replaces version 7.0, which the Home Office had last updated on 24 October 2024. The guidance is used when nationality, dual nationality or statelessness is relevant to an asylum claim. Its stated purpose is to tell caseworkers how these issues must be handled during registration, screening, substantive consideration, decision-making and appeals. The new version has been substantially restructured rather than simply amended in a few places.

What changed

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed they are extending their Special Passport Intervention Exercise in the United Kingdom. This programme aims to make passport processing smoother and clear the backlog for Nigerian citizens living in the UK. The extension shows that the NIS is continuing its efforts to improve services and make it easier for Nigerians abroad to get their passports.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration updated its guidance for local authorities on 6 October 2026, introducing the funding instructions and submission forms for the 2026 to 2027 financial year for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) and care leavers. This update specifies the conditions for reimbursement of costs for supporting and caring for these individuals across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The changes include revised funding rates and additional incentives for local authorities participating in the National Transfer Scheme (NTS). Local authorities must now utilise the new submission forms for their monthly claims to ensure continued funding.