UK Immigration Update - Part 2: July 2026

Following on from our last Bulletin this update highlights some key takeaways from the draft Employers’ Guide to Right to Work Checks, published on 16 July 2026 and the latest developments on the Earned Settlement provisions.

1. Updated Employers' Guide to Right to Work Checks:

• Practical examples of “Extended Employer” scenarios appear at pages 43 – 47 of the Employers’ Guide to Right to Work Checks (the “Guide”).
• The Guide excludes previous references to Right to Work best practice for “non-employee” categories, with the UKVI perhaps not wishing to add an informal requirement to the specific “Extended Employer” scenarios effective from 1 October 2026. Whilst there is some ambiguity, the expectation is that the requirements will not be retrospective and will only apply to “Extended Employer” arrangements entered into on or after 1 October 2026.
• Practical examples of scenarios falling outside the scope of the “Extended Employer” arrangements appear at pages 15 and 16 of the Guide.
• A reminder that effective for all UK Visa Entry Clearance applications granted on or after 1 July 2026, vignettes will no longer be issued, requiring individuals to sign in to their eVisa accounts. 

2. Earned Settlement provisions:

Whilst there has been no substantive update, given the Home Secrtetary remains in post following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, we expect the changes to proceed in some form. However, as previously advised we still expect significant concessions to transitional arrangements for those currently in visa categories leading to settlement, those holding Refugee status and perhaps a lowering of the applicable gross annual income threshold. 

You can read our previous Bulletin here. 

For further information please contact Jonathan Chaimovic or your usual Clyde & Co contact.