The UK’s Statement of Changes HC 1691, published on 5 March 2026, raises English requirements to CEFR B2 for settlement in specified routes from 26 March 2027, subject to exemptions. The changes include route-specific provisions for speaking and listening. They should not be presented as a universal B2 requirement for every immigration application made in March 2026.
Settlement is a separate stage from initial permission to work. Employers and mobile employees need to distinguish this change from earlier B2 changes affecting entry to certain work routes. The relevant question is which settlement provision applies to the person and when the application is made.
Add settlement to assignment planning This editor recommends asking employees about intended long-term residence when that information is relevant to the assignment discussion. The employer should identify who can explain the applicable route and who is responsible for obtaining an individual assessment. A general mobility policy cannot establish an employee’s eligibility for settlement.
The review can then consider whether language preparation belongs in the support offered. Any commitment should be explicit about its scope, including which employee or family member is covered and what assistance is available. Funding a course does not demonstrate that the immigration requirement has been met.
Keep evidence and exemptions separate Employees may need to understand the evidence accepted under the applicable rules and whether an exemption applies. HR should direct those questions to the appropriate case assessment rather than assume that workplace fluency, a qualification or a previous visa automatically resolves them.
The organisation can help by explaining the administrative process and allowing sufficient preparation time. It should avoid making an unqualified promise that a test, course or document will secure settlement. Immigration outcomes depend on the relevant requirements and the applicant’s circumstances.
Use the application date correctly The published provisions distinguish applications before 26 March 2027 from those on or after that date. Employers should preserve the source and timing assumptions used in an individual’s plan. The expected end of an assignment is not necessarily the date on which a settlement application will be made.
For international benefits and mobility teams, the practical task is to connect longer-term residence planning with realistic support and clear responsibilities. This update concerns specified settlement requirements; it does not replace a complete assessment of the route or imply that every accompanying family member is subject to identical conditions.
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