A new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 259, took effect on 30 July and 3 August 2026, altering the Graduate route, Appendix FM, asylum interview procedure, Electronic Travel Authorisations, deportation rules, the EU Settlement Scheme and several other Appendices. The Home Office laid HC 259 before Parliament on 9 July 2026, alongside a 10-page Explanatory Memorandum, and most applications submitted on or after the relevant commencement date are decided under the amended Rules. This guide sets out every substantive change, who it affects, and what transitional protection applies if you already have an application in progress.
