Immigration update – February 2025 

Changes to the Nationality Guidance  

On 10 February 2025, the Home Office updated its Nationality: Good character guidance which states that an individual who is applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally, will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of the length of time that has passed since the individual’s initial entry into the UK.  

This change will have a significant impact on many individuals who entered the UK without a valid visa, including refugees who would have arrived in the UK unlawfully, and sought asylum upon entry to the UK.  

Automated grants of pre-settled/settled status 

Under the current EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) guidance, individuals with pre-settled status are required to make a further application after five years of residence in order to obtain settled status to remain in the UK lawfully. However, earlier this month, the Home Office introduced a simplified process whereby they intend to automatically convert eligible individuals to full settled status without requiring a further application. 

This will work by individuals being emailed to inform them that they may be considered for automatic conversion. The Home Office will then conduct checks using government records, for example, HMRC records, and criminal records to ensure they meet the requirements before being granted settled status.  

If a person does not qualify for an automatic conversion to settled status, they will instead be granted an extension of five years to their pre-settled status.  

Reminder – UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) update   

As a reminder, the UK started to introduce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme in 2023. It applies to visitors who previously did not have to apply for a physical UK visit visa before coming to the UK. The scheme requires travellers to apply for and obtain security clearance before they set off on their travels (this includes children of any age). It is advisable to apply for the ETA in good time before travel is required.    

The scheme currently applies to Quatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the following countries for travel on or after 8 January 2025:   

From 5 March 2025 the following remaining nationals will need to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK on or after 2 April 2024:   

It is important for businesses to factor this extra step into any planning for business trips to the UK. While most ETAs will be approved almost instantly some may take longer, which can affect the travel timeline.