Updates to this page

Published 24 May 2018

Last updated 11 August 2026 Show all updates

  1. Updated guidance to reflect that Nauru has officially changed its name to Naoero.

  2. Updated with changes to the returning resident guidance and the strong ties section.

  3. Guidance has been updated to reflect that from 26 February 2026 certificates of entitlement are issued in digital form and other minor changes have been made throughout.

  4. 'General grounds for refusal' references changed to 'suitability requirements', in line with Immigration Rules changes.

  5. Guidance updated. Changes are explained on page 6.

  6. Updated guidance published. Changes are detailed on page 6.

  7. Guidance updated. Changes are explained on page 6.

  8. Updated guidance to clarify the historical impact of Section 1(5) of the Immigration Act 1971 on the immigration status of Commonwealth citizens. Previous versions of Home Office guidance contained errors regarding the impact that this legislation had. This guidance has also been updated to reflect an amendment to the Windrush Scheme policy in order to provide for granting of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to individuals who may previously have been incorrectly issued a status document as a result of these errors.

  9. Updated Windrush guidance for use on or after 1 December.

  10. Updated caseworker guidance

  11. Updated with the new version of the caseworker guidance. Published the archived version of the previous caseworker guidance.

  12. First published.