TL;DR: The HC 1691 explanatory memorandum states that Part Suitability will be amended so that a person convicted of a criminal offence in the UK who receives a suspended sentence of 12 months or more is subject to mandatory refusal or cancellation of leave to enter or remain. The memorandum presents this as aligning suitability rules with deportation provisions updated by the Sentencing Act 2026. The statement of changes implementation section lists paragraphs 13.1 and 13.2 alongside other provisions expressed as taking effect on 26 March 2026, with transitional wording for applications made before that date.
The memorandum notes that existing mandatory grounds tied to custodial sentences of 12 months remain, while discretionary provisions continue to apply for shorter sentences and some non-custodial outcomes as described in the Rules.
Policy intent described in the memorandum
The memorandum frames the change as responding to public concerns about foreign national offending and tightening Immigration Rules criminality tests in line with wider sentencing reforms.
Official source
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1619-5-march-2026