Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Photo: Craig Russell / Shutterstock The UK has updated its immigration rules in an official document published last month and which came into effect yesterday (October 8, 2026). The new rules mainly apply to workers, students, artists and visitors coming to the country for professional and educational purposes.
One of the relevant updates for visitors allows them to participate in professional workshops and discussions, as well as various competitions. In addition, those coming for professional training will no longer be required to prove that the training is not available in their country of origin, a relief that could simplify professional visits to the UK.
Artists, musicians and entertainers are also benefiting from expanded options under the Visitors' Route: they can now also attend rehearsals, not just performances permitted under the rules. Personal and technical staff, including members of production teams, will be able to assist with permitted activities, provided they are employed outside the UK and are attending the same event as the artist or performer.
And what about tourists? The new rules make no significant changes to entry for a holiday in the UK, and there is no change to the need to meet the entry conditions and relevant authorisation requirements (ETA), which came into force last year.