Business immigration updates for employers | February 2026

This months' article covers analysis from the Migration Observatory on the Government's efforts to align immigration and skills policy, a newly launched consultation on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) framework, and the Government's response to the Migration Advisory Committee's review of the Seasonal Worker visa route. We've also reminded our readers that the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is now fully in force.

UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to be strictly enforced

From 25 February 2026 the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will be strictly enforced by carriers before boarding, which means that passengers without the correct documentation will be turned away. Please note:

• all visitors from currently visa-exempt countries (i.e. US, Canada and EU nations) must have an approved ETA to travel to the UK from this date. However, those who are exempt from immigration control or those who require a visa, will not require an ETA;

• dual nationals cannot apply for an ETA and must have a valid (i.e. in date) British or Irish passport or another passport containing a certificate of entitlement. A certificate of entitlement costs £589 and usually takes between 3 and 8 weeks to obtain, and renewing a British passport costs around £100 and usually takes 3 weeks; and

• those requiring ETAs can apply through the official UK ETA app. While most individuals currently receive a decision automatically in minutes, it's recommended to allow 3 working days to account for a small number that require additional review. An ETA currently costs £16 and, once obtained, permits travel to the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months.

The Office for National Statistics ("ONS") launches consultation on proposed revisions to the Standard Occupational Classification 2020 ("SOC")

SOC is the coding framework used to classify occupations within the UK and applies to the grant of Skilled Worker visas.

The ONS has launched a consultation to ask users and interested parties of SOC which areas of SOC should be reviewed and updated, and why. Due to the continual evolution of occupations, the ONS notes the need to ensure that SOC better reflects today's labour market and allows sufficient granularity for analysis of different occupation groups.

Following the consultation, there will be an analysis period between May – July 2026, followed by a SOC revision cycle beginning in Autumn 2026 through to Spring 2029.

The consultation is open until 11 May 2026, and responses can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Further information can be found here. We recommend that sponsors engage with the consultation to ensure accurate SOC codes in their industry and sector.  

Government responds to the Migration Advisory Committee ("MAC")'s Seasonal Worker visa review

The MAC's recommendations following its review were structured around 5 broad themes: providing certainty around the future of the scheme, allowing for a more flexible visa, fairer work and pay for workers, tightening of communication and enforcement of employee rights, and considering the Employer Pays Principle (EPP).

The Government's response includes the following key points:

• a commitment to providing the farming sector with 2 years' notice of any planned closure of the Seasonal Worker route, while reserving the right to close the route with immediate effect in extreme circumstances (such as a threat to immigration control or national security);

• an intention to reduce the cooling-off period for Seasonal Workers' visas from the current 6 months to 4 months;

• acceptance of the MAC's recommendation that the industry carefully considers the Employer Pays Principle ("EPP"), which would create a requirement for employers to pay, on behalf of their employees, any recruitment fees and costs associated with workers coming to the UK on the scheme. The Government notes that this would require an investigation as to how it might work in practice and how the associated costs could be shared along the supply chain. The Seasonal Worker Taskforce recently concluded a feasibility study in this area and the industry is currently considering these findings; and

• agreement that strengthening employee rights is vital to ensure the safeguarding of workers on the scheme, noting that:
  • the Government is already establishing the Fair Work Agency ("FWA") and this agency is the most appropriate avenue to achieve this aim; and
  • UK Visas and Immigration ("UKVI") have commenced bi-monthly meetings with all sponsors within the scheme to monitor compliance and discuss any areas of concern.

Source: The government's response to the MAC's Seasonal Worker review - GOV.UK

Migration Observatory publishes a briefing note examining the Government's aims to link immigration and skills policy more closely 

The key points highlighted in the Migration Observatory's briefing note include:

• The Government's policy has been to make employers recruit fewer people on work visas and limit middle-skilled jobs unless they are crucial to the industrial strategy sectors or critical infrastructure. However, there is currently no regulation in such roles for migrants instead arriving on family or dependent visas, or as students or refugees. Work visas post-Brexit drove much of the increase in the migrant workforce in some industries, such as health and care, but had a much smaller impact in others, such as construction;

• increasing the domestically trained workforce does not automatically lead to lower migration – for example, local workers can be difficult to attract into certain roles because of poor pay and conditions. Migration restrictions might push some employers to train local workers, but the limited evidence on this point is mixed; and

• it's difficult to create effective incentives in the immigration system that explicitly encourage employers to invest in domestic training. A sectoral approach could encourage "free riders", while an individual approach is difficult to monitor. The overarching theme within this briefing note is that significant data gaps prevent a comprehensive overview of how migration is affecting the UK's skills base.

Source: Migration, vacancies and labour market skills - Migration Observatory