On September 4, 2025, the government published a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, amending the process for applications from a partner or dependent child of a person in the UK with protected status.
The changes introduce a temporary pause to Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) while the government undertakes a full review and reform of the current family rules, as proposed in the recent Immigration White Paper.
Pending applications will continue to be considered under the Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection) rules in place prior to the commencement of the suspension.
Meanwhile, Appendix FM has been amended to allow applications from a partner and dependent child of a person with protection status in the UK. In line with other applications under Appendix FM, but unlike applications under Appendix Family Reunion, a person will need to pay the fee or obtain a fee waiver and meet the core requirements of the route (for example English language and financial requirements).
The Appendix FM rules require the parent of a dependent child to have a sole responsibility where the child is not accompanying or joining both parents in the UK, which is different than the approach under Appendix Family Reunion (Sponsors with Protection).
The policy intention is to ensure that where both parents have parental responsibility for a child, the child remains with the parents to ensure the UK is not brought into custody battles and a child is not brought to the UK against the wishes of the other parent. However, where an applicant is unable to demonstrate sole responsibility under Appendix FM, the child will still be granted permission if there are serious and compelling family circumstances that make exclusion of the child undesirable.
The changes came into effect on September 4, 2025.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.