Lilshira
Cambios en la regla de permiso Sección 3C entran en vigor el 8 de octubre de 2026
A partir del 8 de octubre de 2026 nuevas normas de inmigración exigen biométricos para solicitudes de variación y endurecen el plazo de exención de tasas, modificando cómo se activa y mantiene el permiso Sección 3C para migrantes con solicitudes pendientes. Los cambios se aplican a cualquier persona cuyo permiso se extienda bajo la Sección 3C de la Immigration Act 1971.
En esta noticia
De un vistazo
- Qué cambia
- Se requieren biométricos para solicitudes de variación y se endurece el plazo de exención de tasas
- Calendario
- Vigente a partir del 8 de octubre de 2026
- Quién está afectado
- Migrantes con solicitudes de extensión o variación pendientes bajo la Sección 3C
Los detalles
- Anunciado por
- Home Office
- Entra en vigor
- 8 de octubre de 2026
- Norma anterior
- Previously, a variation application could be valid without enrolling biometrics if the enrolment deadline was met before the variation was submitted.
- Nueva norma
- From 8 October 2026, any variation application must still meet the biometrics deadline of the original application, and fee‑waiver requests must be followed by an application on the same route within ten working days.
Qué es el permiso Sección 3C
Section 3C leave automatically extends a migrant’s permission when a valid immigration application is made before the current leave expires and no decision is made by the expiry date. The extension lasts until a decision is reached, an appeal period ends, or the applicant leaves the UK.
Enmiendas a la regla vigentes el 8 de octubre de 2026
Two amendments to the immigration rules were introduced on 8 October 2026. The first inserts sub‑paragraph 2A into paragraph 34BB, stating that a variation application must still comply with the biometrics deadline of the original application. The second revises paragraph 34G(4) to require that a fee‑waiver request be followed by an application on the same route within ten working days, even if the waiver is refused.
- Biometrics deadline remains unchanged for variation applications
- Fee‑waiver request must be matched by a same‑route application within ten working days
Impacto práctico de los cambios
The amendments mean that applicants cannot rely on a variation to bypass biometrics requirements, and they must ensure the post‑waiver application matches the original route to retain Section 3C protection. Failure to meet these conditions will cause Section 3C leave to lapse, potentially creating a period without lawful permission.
- If biometrics are not submitted on time, the application becomes invalid and Section 3C leave ends
- Submitting a different route after a fee‑waiver request breaks the Section 3C continuity
Qué significa para los viajeros
Planificación del viaje
- Existing bookings remain valid; however, travelers must ensure any pending application complies with the new biometrics deadline to avoid loss of leave while abroad
- Leaving the UK (including Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands) will still cause Section 3C leave to lapse under existing rules
Coste y documentos
- No new fees are introduced; the cost of biometrics enrolment remains as previously required
- Applicants must retain proof of biometrics submission and the date of any fee‑waiver request for the ten‑day window
Lo que debes hacer
- Check that any variation application submitted after 8 October 2026 includes biometrics that meet the original deadline
- If a fee‑waiver was requested, submit the subsequent application on the same route within ten working days
- Monitor the Home Office decision timeline to ensure Section 3C leave does not expire before a decision or appeal is resolved
A quién afecta
-
Applicants with pending extension or variation applications
Section 3C leave is triggered when a valid application is made before current leave expires and no decision is made by the expiry date.
Qué hacer Ensure biometrics are submitted by the original deadline and avoid varying the application after the deadline.
-
Fee‑waiver requesters
The new rule ties the date of the fee‑waiver request to the subsequent application only if it is on the same route and filed within ten working days.
Qué hacer File the follow‑up application on the same route within the ten‑day window to preserve Section 3C protection.
-
Travelers leaving the Common Travel Area while on Section 3C leave
Paragraph 34K treats a pending application as withdrawn when the person leaves the CTA, causing Section 3C leave to lapse.
Qué hacer Avoid travel to Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands until a Home Office decision is received.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cuándo comienza el permiso Sección 3C?
Section 3C leave begins on the date the original permission would have expired if the Home Office has not yet decided on a valid application made before that expiry.
¿Sigo necesitando proporcionar biométricos para una solicitud de variación después del 8 de octubre de 2026?
Yes, the new rule requires that the biometrics deadline of the original application still be met for any variation submitted after 8 October 2026.
¿Qué ocurre si solicito una exención de tasas pero presento un tipo de solicitud diferente?
The fee‑waiver date will not count for Section 3C purposes unless the subsequent application is for the same route and filed within ten working days of the waiver decision.
¿Continuará el permiso Sección 3C mientras apelo una denegación?
Section 3C leave remains in force during the appeal period, provided the appeal is lodged within the 14‑day deadline after the refusal.
¿Puedo viajar a Irlanda mientras tengo el permiso Sección 3C?
No, leaving the Common Travel Area, which includes Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, will cause Section 3C leave to lapse even if the application is still pending.
