Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Immigration (Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode in the United Kingdom) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and come into force on 26th February 2026.

(2) These Regulations extend to the United Kingdom.

Amendments to the Immigration (Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode in the United Kingdom) Regulations 2006

2. The Immigration (Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode in the United Kingdom) (Amendment) Regulations 2006(2) are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 9.

Amendment to regulation 2

3. In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a)omit the definitions of “Governor” and “High Commissioner”;

(b)after the definition of “certificate of entitlement”, insert—

““digital certificate of entitlement” means an online record issued under regulation 7(1)(b) of these Regulations.

“linked” means that the digital certificate of entitlement is connected to the passport or travel document via an online UK Visas and Immigration account.

“online UK Visas and Immigration account” means an online account maintained by the Secretary of State for the Home Department that, for the purpose of these Regulations, allows individuals to digitally access, manage and share confirmation that they hold the right of abode.”.

Amendment to regulation 3

4. For regulation 3 (authority to whom an application must be made), substitute—

Authority to whom an application must be made

3. An application for a certificate of entitlement must be made—

(a)if the applicant is in any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, to the Lieutenant-Governor or the Secretary of State for the Home Department; or

(b)in any other case, to the Secretary of State for the Home Department.”.

Amendment to regulation 5

5. In regulation 5 (form of application), at the beginning of paragraph (c) insert “is in date, has not been cancelled or reported lost or stolen and”.

Amendment to regulation 6

6. In regulation 6 (issue of certificate of entitlement), paragraph (b)(iii), after “a certificate of entitlement”, insert “unless the circumstances in regulation 7(2) apply”.

Amendment to regulation 7

7. For regulation 7 (issue of certificate of entitlement), substitute—

Issue of certificate of entitlement

7.—(1) A certificate of entitlement may be issued as the Secretary of State for the Home Department considers appropriate—

(a)by means of being affixed to the passport or travel document of the applicant; or

(b)by the creation of a digital record that can be linked to the passport or travel document of the applicant via an online UK Visas and Immigration account.

(2) Where a person holds a valid certificate of entitlement of the form described in regulation 7(1)(a) which was issued before 26th February 2026, the Secretary of State for the Home Department may, without application, issue that person with a corresponding digital certificate of entitlement under regulation 7(1)(b).

(3) Where a digital certificate of entitlement is issued, it must be linked to a valid passport or travel document.

(4) A digital certificate of entitlement has effect only in relation to the passport or travel document to which it is linked.”.

Amendment to regulation 8

8. For regulation 8 (expiry and revocation of certificate of entitlement), substitute—

Expiry and revocation of certificate of entitlement

8.—(1) A certificate of entitlement issued under regulation 7(1)(a) shall cease to have effect on the expiry of the passport or travel document to which it is affixed.

(2) A digital certificate which is not linked as described in regulation 7(3) shall cease to have effect.

(3) A person who has been issued with a digital certificate of entitlement must keep the information provided in connection with that certificate up to date.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), a person who has been issued with a digital certificate of entitlement must update the photograph connected with it—

(a)at intervals of not more than 5 years while the person is under the age of 16;

(b)at intervals of not more than 10 years while the person is 16 or older, until the person is 70 or older or becomes a British Citizen.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a digital certificate of entitlement may resume effect where the person later links the certificate to a valid passport or travel document, unless it has been revoked under regulation 9.”.

Amendment to regulation 9

9. In regulation 9 (expiry and revocation of certificate of entitlement)—

(a)at the end of paragraph (b)(iii) insert “, except where a digital certificate of entitlement has been issued to the person in accordance with regulation 7(2) of these Regulations”.

(b)at the end of paragraph (c), omit “or”.

(c)at the end of paragraph (d), substitute “.” for “; or”.

(d)after paragraph (d) insert—

“(e)is a person who has not kept the information provided in connection with the digital certificate of entitlement up to date in accordance with the requirements in regulation 8(3).”.