New Immigration Bill Would Narrow Family Life Rules Under Article 8
05 Jul 2026
If you are on a Family visa, or you plan to rely on Article 8 (the right to family life) in an immigration case, a new Bill could change the rules against you.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill was introduced to Parliament on 30 June 2026. It includes a new section, 117AA, that sets out who counts as family for Article 8 purposes. Under the Bill, an adult does not normally have a family life with another adult unless they live together as spouses, civil partners, or partners. For any other relationship to count, the Bill says there must be "an additional element of dependency (beyond normal emotional ties)". Financial dependency or illness on its own does not meet this test.
This matters because current rules let some people show family life through close emotional or financial ties, even without living together as partners. If the Bill becomes law, only a narrower group of relationships, such as spouses, civil partners, partners, and parents with minor children, will normally count. People relying on wider family ties, such as an adult child caring for a parent, may find it harder to succeed with an Article 8 claim.
This is a Bill, not yet law. It still needs to pass through further stages in Parliament before it can take effect. If your case relies on family life arguments that go beyond a spouse, civil partner, partner, or minor child, keep an eye on this Bill's progress and speak to an immigration adviser about how it could affect you.
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