HC 1691: Statement of Changes laid on 5 March 2026
HC 1691 opened the BN(O) route to adult children of BN(O) status holders, with its changes taking effect on various dates from . It also requires English at B2 in speaking and listening for Skilled Worker settlement applications made from , unless an exemption applies.
Status and dates
Laid before Parliament on . Status: In force.
| Takes effect | Ledger entries |
|---|---|
| Scheduled |
Other parts of this Statement take effect on 5 March 2026, 26 March 2026, 2 April 2026, 29 April 2026 and 1 July 2026 and do not change the rules this handbook covers.
The changes it made
- 8 April 2026 In force
BN(O) route opened to adult children of BN(O) status holders. See GOV.UK
- 26 March 2027 Scheduled
Settlement applications on Skilled Worker and other routes will need English at a higher level.
How this Ledger is kept
This Ledger starts on . It covers the Statements of Changes reviewed so far: HC 590, HC 217, HC 334, HC 733, HC 836, HC 997, CP 1373, HC 1298, HC 1333, HC 1491, HC 1691, HC 259 and HC 584.
Sources: the Statements of Changes collection (gov.uk), each Statement and its explanatory memorandum.
- In force: in the Immigration Rules or current GOV.UK guidance, and applying today.
- Scheduled: already in the rules, but it applies only from a later date.
- Laid: in a Statement laid before Parliament that has not yet taken effect.
- Proposed: a government statement or consultation only. Never a rule.
- Dropped: a proposal or Statement withdrawn, with its source.
The target is a Ledger entry within two days of a Statement being laid. Checked against GOV.UK on .
Found an error? Write to desk@ukvisasponsorguide.com. Fixes are listed in Corrections.
Sources
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
SW 22A.1. Where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B2.
- Statement of Changes HC 1691: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.62 These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027.
6.3 For the changes that introduce a visa requirement on Nicaragua and St Lucia, those changes will come into effect at 1500 GMT on 5 March 2026. All other changes will come into effect on various dates from 26 March 2026 and are detailed in the implementation section of the Statement of Changes.
- British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent.
How each figure is checked: Sources and method.
This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).