How Britain’s 2026 policy wave of visas, rental, and employment rights is reshaping who gets to stay in London An aeroplane flies past the Big Ben in London, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo/Joanna Chan) For many expats in London, 2026 is not simply another year on the calendar – it feels like a quiet stress test of whether staying is still realistic. From soaring visa costs to housing reforms and new employment laws, three major policy shifts are taking effect all at the same