FCDO adds 17 designations under the Global Irregular Migration sanctions regime
UK sanctions screening teams must add the 17 new Global Irregular Migration designations to filters to block prohibited dealings
Change
On 26 May 2026, the UK Sanctions List was updated to add 17 designations under the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons sanctions regime, alongside 18 designations under the Russia sanctions regime.
Why it matters
The 17 new entries place named individuals and entities under the Global Irregular Migration regime, which targets people smuggling, human trafficking, and the instrumentalisation of migration for destabilisation. UK persons and all entities within UK jurisdiction must treat the designated parties as subject to an asset freeze and the regime's prohibitions, and entities owned or controlled by a designated person are caught under the UK ownership-and-control test even where not separately listed.
Implications
- — Sanctions screening teams at UK-regulated financial institutions and payment service providers must add the 17 new Global Irregular Migration designations to screening and transaction-blocking systems before the next funds-transfer cycle — processing a transaction involving a designated person, including in a correspondent or intermediary capacity, is a prohibited dealing and a criminal offence under the regime.
- — Compliance teams must screen beneficial-ownership and control structures for the 17 designations under the UK ownership-and-control test — entities owned or controlled by a designated person are subject to the asset freeze even if not separately named, so direct-name screening alone is insufficient.
- — Relevant firms and persons that identify a designated party or frozen assets must report to OFSI as required under the regime — failure to report knowledge or suspicion of a designated person is a criminal offence distinct from the dealing prohibition.
Who is affected
- — Sanctions screening teams at UK-regulated financial institutions
- — Payment service provider and correspondent-banking screening operators
- — Compliance teams performing beneficial-ownership and control screening under the UK ownership-and-control test
- — UK-regulated professional services firms with OFSI reporting obligations