UK Immigration Rule Changes (HC 584): What Changes on 8 October 2026

3 September 2026. United Kingdom. Alongside the student maintenance increase, HC 584 makes several changes that mostly start on 8 October 2026.

Main changes

• Visitors: more permitted activities, including workshops, skills competitions, job shadowing and traineeships. Some training no longer needs proof it is unavailable at home.
• Skilled workers: people the Home Office recognises as victims of modern slavery can work for any employer for the rest of their permission.
• Erasmus+: new provisions for Erasmus+ participants on Visitor and Student routes.
• EU Settlement Scheme: changes for children finishing education. Biometric residence permits are phased out as proof of identity from 9 December 2026.
• Religious worker routes: changes from 29 October 2026.

What it means for you

If you plan to visit the UK for short training or events, check the updated Visitor rules before you travel. Students should note the separate maintenance increase from 30 November.

What is HC 584?

HC 584 is a statement of changes to the UK Immigration Rules, laid before Parliament on 3 September 2026. Statements of changes are how the Home Office updates the rules, and each one has an HC number. HC 584 contains several separate changes with different start dates.

HC 584 key dates

• 8 October 2026: most changes, including the Visitor, Skilled Worker and Erasmus+ provisions.
• 29 October 2026: religious worker route changes.
• 30 November 2026: the Student visa maintenance increase.
• 9 December 2026: biometric residence permits phased out as proof of identity, as part of the EU Settlement Scheme changes.

Who should read HC 584 closely

• Visitors coming for training, workshops, job shadowing or competitions.
• Students applying on or after 30 November 2026.
• Skilled workers recognised as victims of modern slavery.
• EU Settlement Scheme families with children finishing education.

For the full legal text of HC 584, read the statement of changes and the explanatory memorandum on GOV.UK.

Sources

• GOV.UK: HC 584 explanatory memorandum

News summary published 28 September 2026. Policies can change quickly after publication. Check the linked sources for the latest position. This is general information, not legal advice.