United Kingdom: Most international students barred from bringing family dependants

Who it affects

International students on taught-master's and undergraduate courses; their partners and children.

Sources

Primary: Home Office ↗

Corroborating: GOV.UK ↗

Verified 2026-04-21 · methodology · report a correction

Related changes in United Kingdom

More recent updates

In force 22 Jul 2025

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Skilled Worker threshold raised again to £41,700

Second increase in 15 months: the general Skilled Worker salary threshold rose from £38,700 to £41,700 on 22 July 2025. Going-rate thresholds for specific occupations were similarly re-indexed to updated ASHE (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings) percentiles.

Who it affects: New Skilled Worker applicants from 22 July 2025 onwards; sponsor employers planning hires.

GOV.UK — Home Office ↗ · UK Visas and Immigration ↗ · Migration Advisory Committee ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

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Announced Residency

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Who it affects: UK residents planning future partner-visa applications; signals potential near-term reduction.

Migration Advisory Committee ↗ · House of Commons Library — Research Briefings ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 6 Apr 2025

In force Taxation

Non-dom tax regime abolished — replaced by 4-year FIG regime

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Who it affects: High-net-worth new arrivals to the UK; existing non-dom holders transitioning from April 2025.

HM Treasury ↗ · HM Revenue & Customs ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 2 Apr 2025

In force Visa & immigration

ETA becomes mandatory for European visitors

From 2 April 2025, citizens of EU countries (and several additional European jurisdictions) require an ETA for short visits to the UK. Completes the phased rollout that began with Gulf states in late 2023. Irish citizens remain exempt under the Common Travel Area.

Who it affects: All European visa-free travellers to the UK from 2 April 2025 onwards.

GOV.UK — Home Office ↗ · UK Visas and Immigration ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 2 Apr 2025

In force Visa & immigration

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) extended to all non-visa nationals

The ETA scheme, first launched for Qatari nationals in late 2023, was rolled out to most non-visa-required countries through 2024-2025: Gulf Cooperation Council nationals from early 2024, remaining non-European visa-free nationals (including the US, Canada, and Australia) from January 2025, and European non-visa-required nationals from 2 April 2025. ETA costs £16 (rising to £10 then back) and lasts two years.

Who it affects: Short-stay visitors to the UK from non-visa-required countries.

Home Office ↗ · GOV.UK ↗ · UK Visas and Immigration ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 12 Mar 2025

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Care-worker overseas recruitment sharply restricted

From 12 March 2025, sponsors of overseas care workers on the Health and Care visa must first demonstrate that displaced care workers already in the UK have been considered for the role. The change, combined with earlier dependant-ban rules from March 2024, sharply reduced new Health and Care visas for care-worker occupations.

Who it affects: Care providers recruiting from overseas; overseas care workers pursuing UK placement.

Home Office ↗ · GOV.UK ↗ · verified 2026-04-21