Manchester has long been the UK’s "second city" for immigration—a vibrant hub of international students, thriving tech businesses at MediaCityUK, and a bustling airport gateway. But as we move deeper into 2026, the city is facing a unique storm of regulatory changes that are squeezing its international population from both sides

  Manchester has long been the UK’s "second city" for immigration—a vibrant hub of international students, thriving tech businesses at MediaCityUK, and a bustling airport gateway. But as we move deeper into 2026, the city is facing a unique storm of regulatory changes that are squeezing its international population from both sides

  Manchester has long been the UK’s "second city" for immigration—a vibrant hub of international students, thriving tech businesses at MediaCityUK, and a bustling airport gateway. But as we move deeper into 2026, the city is facing a unique storm of regulatory changes that are squeezing its international population from both sides

  Manchester has long been the UK’s "second city" for immigration—a vibrant hub of international students, thriving tech businesses at MediaCityUK, and a bustling airport gateway. But as we move deeper into 2026, the city is facing a unique storm of regulatory changes that are squeezing its international population from both sides

p>  Think of your journey to UK settlement as a single, five-year project. Your first visa was "Phase 1: Project Initiation." You proved your relationship was genuine, and you proved your partner's finances. You were approved. You are now at the 2.5-year mark. Welcome to "Phase 2: The Mid-Project Audit." This is the spouse visa extension, k