TO BE PUBLISHED February 2026
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This conference will consider next steps for legal migration policy in the UK. Planned areas for discussion include near‑term operational changes and longer‑term strategy across settlement, work, study, and talent routes, and what these developments could mean for employers, education providers, local services and migrant households.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss proposals outlined in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper, including the anticipated consultation on a contribution‑based settlement model. Delegates will discuss how proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain eligibility - including the standard qualifying period of 10 years and conditions linked to work, English language, volunteering and compliance with legal requirements - might operate in practice, what transitional protections could apply to existing visa holders and their families, and the implications for advice services, appeals and university fee status for dependants.
We expect discussion on the Skilled Worker route, with attendees assessing the implications of recent and proposed changes to salary and skills thresholds and to the Temporary Shortage Occupation List for workforce supply and business planning in sectors such as construction and hospitality, and for social care following the end of overseas recruitment in July 2025. Delegates will assess the evidence base and process for shortage designation, including the roles of employers, devolved governments and local authorities, and how mechanisms could adapt to regional and sectoral variation while maintaining clear sponsorship obligations and enforcement.
Further planned sessions will consider reforms affecting students and universities, and possible implications of changes to the graduate route, progression from study to skilled employment, and a proposed international student levy for institutional budgets and research capacity. Delegates will also assess options for strengthening the UK’s global talent offer through streamlined visa processes and possible fee reductions under the Government’s Global Talent Drive, aligned with wider Industrial Strategy objectives. Sessions will look at issues around implementation capacity and user experience, including the eVisa transition and digital access, and what will be required across the Home Office and partner bodies to deliver changes effectively and fairly.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- Restoring Control over the Immigration System White Paper - scope of contribution-based settlement consultation - interaction with the 10-year Indefinite Leave to Remain route
- criteria around work, English, volunteering, and compliance - transitional protections for current visa holders
- rights and support: fee status for dependants - implications for university tuition classification - implementation of appeals and advice provision
- Skilled Worker thresholds: impacts of higher salary and skills thresholds - workforce planning in sectors such as construction and hospitality - implications for social care of the overseas recruitment ban
- shortage designation:
- assessing the Temporary Shortage Occupation List revision - evidence standards from employers and local authorities - clarity in sponsorship obligations and enforcement
- accounting for regional and sectoral variation - roles of devolved governments in decisions
- student migration: graduate route proposals and study-to-work progression - potential effects of an international student levy - implications for institutional budgets and research capacity
- global talent offer: streamlined processes and possible fee reductions - alignment with Industrial Strategy aims - strategic considerations for attracting researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs
- implementation: Home Office delivery capacity and timelines - eVisa transition and digital access barriers - readiness of partner bodies and support services
- family and language rules: interaction with family visa requirements - English language thresholds and testing arrangements - proportionality and fairness in application
- oversight and impacts: modelling effects on net migration - enforcement cost estimates and funding - coordination across departments and agencies - impacts on local services and households
