HC 1333 Explained: What the New “Part Suitability” Rules Mean for UK Immigration From 11 November 2025

The UK has now implemented one of the most significant rewrites of its immigration system in over a decade. Following the Government’s publication of the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1333 on 14 October 2025, the majority of reforms took effect on 11 November 2025.

These changes impact almost every major immigration category, including work, study, family, visit and humanitarian routes, and signal a shift towards a more unified, rules-based and enforcement-focused system. At the centre of this overhaul is a new framework: Part Suitability.

In this blog, we break down what is changing, what Part Suitability means in practice, the new overstay and re-entry rules, and what applicants and sponsors need to prepare for.

What Is HC 1333 and Why Is it Important?

HC 1333 is a major legislative update that reshapes the Immigration Rules across multiple categories. The Government describes these reforms as designed to provide:

• Greater clarity for applicants

• More consistency between visa categories

• Stronger enforcement against non-compliance

• A modernised approach to assessing character and conduct

  
  

The result is a system that is stricter, more codified, and less flexible than what existed previously.

Introducing “Part Suitability”—The New Standard for Refusals and Cancellations

The most consequential reform is the introduction of Part Suitability, which replaces Part 9: Grounds for Refusal.

What Does Part Suitability Do?

It serves as the central reference point for how the Home Office assesses:

• Visa refusals

• Cancellations of permission

• Revocations of existing permission

• Re-entry decisions

• Deportation-related considerations

  
  

This framework applies to most immigration categories, including:

• Skilled Worker and work routes

• Students

• Visitors

• Family visas

• Certain humanitarian or statelessness applications

  
  

By consolidating suitability rules into a single framework, it could be argued that the intention is to standardise decision-making and reduce variation across routes.

Mandatory vs Discretionary Refusal Grounds

One of the biggest structural changes is the distinction between mandatory and discretionary grounds for refusal.

Mandatory Grounds

A refusal must be issued where serious conduct issues exist. These include:

• Serious criminal convictions

• Public security concerns

• Deportation orders

• Deception, falsified documents, or false representations

• Conduct deemed not conducive to the public good

  
  

These are automatic and leave no discretion for the caseworker.

Discretionary Grounds

These allow caseworkers to refuse an application where issues are less severe, such as:

• Unpaid NHS debts

• Failure to attend an interview

• Minor immigration non-compliance

• Previous breaches of visa conditions

  
  

While still serious, the refusal is not automatic, and caseworkers may consider mitigating factors.

Human Rights (ECHR) Considerations Remain – But Are Narrower

Even under Part Suitability, the Home Office must consider compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly when assessing:

• Family life applications

• Private life claims

• Cases involving children

• Protection-related applications

  
  

However, the reforms significantly reduce the flexibility previously available to caseworkers. Under HC 1333, if a refusal is indicated under Part Suitability, the expectation is that the case will be refused unless there are compelling and exceptional human rights grounds.

This elevates the importance of detailed evidence in family and human rights submissions.

Categories Exempt From Part Suitability

Some routes will not be subject to the new framework. Key exemptions include:

• Appendix EU

• Appendix EU (Family Permit)

• Most of Part 11 (Asylum)

• Appendix Settlement Protection

• Appendix Service Providers from Switzerland

• Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

• Appendix Domestic Worker – Victim of Modern Slavery

• Certain ECAA Extension applications

  
  

These routes continue to rely on their existing suitability provisions.

Tougher Overstay & Re-entry Rules

HC 1333 also reshapes how immigration breaches, particularly overstaying, are treated.

The new rules introduce clear time-based re-entry bans:

Type of Departure	Length of Re-entry Ban
Voluntary departure at own expense	1 year
Departure at public expense within 6 months	2 years
Departure at public expense after 6 months	5 years
Removal at public expense	10 years
Departure after deception or fraud	10 years

These bans apply whether the person seeks re-entry as a visitor, worker, student, or under most other routes.

There are some limited exceptions. In certain cases, overstaying may be overlooked if the applicant submits a new application within 14 days of their visa expiry and provides an exceptionally compelling reason for the delay, such as an emergency hospitalisation, though the Home Office notes that such exceptions will be rare. Additional exemptions apply to individuals covered by pandemic “assurance measures” and certain Hong Kong BN(O) applicants; however, most overstayers should expect consequences under the new rules.

What These Changes Mean for Applicants and Sponsors

For visa applicants:

• There will be far less room for error in applications.

• Any past conduct, criminal, immigration-related or financial, will be scrutinised more strictly.

• Maintaining full compliance with visa conditions is essential.

• Those relying on family or human rights arguments must prepare stronger evidence.

  
  

For sponsors and employers:

• A greater focus on pre-screening applicants for suitability risks.

• Stricter internal compliance is now essential to avoid enforcement action.

• Employees must be monitored more closely to ensure visa conditions are adhered to.

• Any previous breaches by workers may impact future applications more severely.

  
  

Final Thoughts

HC 1333 marks a shift towards a more rigid, centralised and enforcement-led immigration system. The introduction of Part Suitability will change how refusals, cancellations and re-entry bans are handled across most visa routes.

Applicants should prepare thoroughly and ensure full compliance with immigration rules to avoid unintended consequences. Sponsors should revisit internal processes to ensure they meet the heightened standards.

As the rules came into force on 11 November 2025, individuals and businesses should begin planning now to avoid disruption.

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Contact us today if you have any questions about these changes or if you are concerned that they may affect you.