Please see an update from the Home Office below

Dear Members,

We have a few updates from the Home Office we’d like to share.

First, starting at the end of August, the SMS will gain multi-factor authentication. The roll out will be phased, with any study licences currently scheduled to be receiving multi-factor authentication in early November ’26. In preparation for this, please ensure that anyone who has access to the SMS at your institution checks that all their personal details are correct and up to date. This will be essential for a smooth onboarding process.

Second, we would like to make you aware of a new GOV.UK guidance page that has been developed to help passengers self-resolve common immigration status issues before travelling to the UK. 

Confirm your immigration status to your carrier before travelling to the UK – GOV.UK

The guidance is intended for passengers whose immigration status cannot automatically be verified during check-in and explains the steps they can take to evidence their permission to travel, avoid delays and make future travel easier.  

The guidance page includes advice for: 
·       eVisa holders with a UKVI account
·       Passengers experiencing issues accessing or updating their UKVI account 
·       Passengers with acceptable physical proof of their settlement status (e.g. indefinite leave to remain) 
·       British dual nationals 
·       Passengers transiting without a visa 
·       Crown Dependency visa holders 
·       Passengers requiring an ETA 
·       Individuals who are exempt from immigration contr

Where appropriate, the guidance directs passengers to services such as updating their UKVI account details, generating a share code, obtaining an eVisa, or presenting valid physical evidence of their immigration status. The aim is to help passengers resolve issues themselves before they arrive at the airport and to support smoother travel to the UK.  

Warm regards,
AASAP/UK