UK Updates Iran Country Policy and Information Notes for Asylum and Human Rights Applications, Including Military Service

What changed

The UK Home Office has updated its caseworker guidance for 'Right of Abode certificates'. HM Passport Office uses this guidance. This update started on 26 August 2026. It explains internal steps for caseworkers when they cancel Certificates of Entitlement to Right of Abode. These certificates are found in foreign passports or travel documents. The update now clearly allows examiners to add a cancellation note in any Digital Application Processing (DAP) task. A Digital Application Processing (DAP) task is a specific step within HM Passport Office's digital system for handling applications. This can happen if the usual 'DAP born abroad' task is not available. This change gives HM Passport Office staff more flexibility when they cancel these certificates.

What changed

The UK government has changed its advice about 'Government travel'. This change started on 26 August 2026. The new advice clearly includes a new group: 'Employee, official or representative of a recognised international organisation'. People in this group, whose organisations have special agreements with the UK government, might get certain rights and exemptions. This could mean they do not have to follow normal UK immigration rules. Before, this group was not separately named in the government travel advice. The change aims to give clear guidance to these travellers.

What changed

UK Visas and Immigration has updated its guidelines for tuberculosis (TB) tests. These tests are for people in Belarus who apply for a UK visa. The new rules started on 25 August 2026. They change how people pay for TB tests at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Minsk. The fee is now 135 US Dollars (USD) for people aged 11 and older. It is 90 USD for people under 11. You must pay in Belarusian Rubles (BYN) at a bank chosen by the IOM. The bank will use the United Nations (UN) exchange rate for that day. This update affects people living in Belarus who need a TB test for their UK visa application.

What changed

The Home Office and Immigration Enforcement have updated the policy called 'Searching policy'. This policy tells staff how to search people, staff, visitors, vehicles, and mail in different places where people are held. It was first published on 1 August 2012. The policy is now version 7.0. This update began on 25 August 2026. It also includes a specific change to how the Detention Escorting Team (DET) handles documents they have taken. The information available does not say what the previous policy version was or the exact details of this change.