HC 1691: why the filing date determines which rules apply

One package with several commencement dates

Some changes took effect on 26 March and 8 April 2026. The extension of Global Talent to additional design roles started on 1 July 2026. The new B2 English requirement for settlement on a number of routes applies to applications made from 26 March 2027.

A reference to the March document without its commencement date may therefore be misleading. We check the operative version of the rule together with its transitional provisions.

Dates to record in the plan

Record the date of the original grant, the next extension and the intended settlement application separately. A different version of the rules may apply at each stage.

• Route and date of the current permission
• Planned date of the next application
• Language requirement at that particular stage
• Transitional provisions for people already on the route

Practical conclusion

The filing date is now a distinct element of the strategy. A general summary of the reform does not establish which requirements will apply to a particular application.