UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme Closes to New Applications

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

The Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a new Reception Act, effective from 1 October 2026, replacing the Act on the Reception of Asylum Seekers (LMA). This legislation broadens the eligibility for reception services to include individuals with enforceable return decisions and those previously discharged. Concurrently, it implements stringent measures such as county-level area restrictions and mandatory attendance or reporting obligations for applicants for international protection and returnees. The Act also tightens rules regarding daily allowances and restricts access to the labour market for asylum seekers.

What changed

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 (BSAI 2025) has amended the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, expanding the scope of employers required to conduct right to work checks and the sanctions for non-compliance. These changes extend legal obligations beyond traditional employment to a broader spectrum of working arrangements, including individual sub-contractors and online matching services. Additionally, the BSAI 2025 introduces an 'extended liability', making certain third parties potentially liable for civil penalties related to illegal working.

What changed

The UK Home Office has issued a revised statutory Code of Practice for landlords regarding 'Right to Rent' checks, effective from 1 October 2026. This updated code clarifies how landlords and letting agents must avoid unlawful discrimination, particularly race discrimination, when conducting these checks. It introduces new provisions for digital right to rent verification, including the use of eVisas and Digital Verification Service Providers, and reinforces the principle of equal treatment for all prospective tenants, regardless of how their right to rent is evidenced. Landlords must adapt their procedures to accommodate these digital verification methods and ensure no tenant is disadvantaged if digital services are inaccessible.