Committee publication · Correspondence · 28 April 2026
Letter from the Minister for Migration & Citizenship relating to the changes made to the EU Settlement Scheme 09.04.2026
From: Home Affairs Committee
Summary
Minister for Migration & Citizenship Mike Tapp updates the Home Affairs Committee on changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) effective 9 April 2026. The government has enhanced automation to grant settled status to eligible pre-settled status holders using tax and benefit data, and has begun removing pre-settled status from individuals who have not maintained continuous UK residence (fewer than 30 months in the last 60 months), while offering them an opportunity to provide evidence before removal.
Key findings
- By end of 2025, EUSS had granted status to over 5.8 million EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens; 87,000 automated settled status conversions completed to date.
- New automated system grants settled status where tax/benefit records show 30 months UK residence in most recent 60-month period, simplifying 2025 eligibility changes.
- From 9 April 2026, Home Office begins removing pre-settled status from individuals who spent fewer than 30 months in UK in recent 5-year period.
- Individuals whose eligibility cannot be confirmed via automation receive 5-year pre-settled status extension; manual reviews using travel data will prioritise those absent longest.
- Before removal, individuals contacted to provide residence evidence; vulnerable customers receive support; proportionality test applied; right of appeal guaranteed; decisions consider age, health, integration.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
immigrationeu-settlement-schemecitizenshippublic-administration
Key actors
Mike Tapp MP, Dame Karen Bradley MP, Home Office, UK Government
Notable line
“… those who do not continue to meet the eligibility requirements may have their status removed. This protects the integrity of the EUSS by preventing unlawful immigration, protects public services, and maintains public confidence in the EUSS.”
Key Quotes
“The Government is committed to full implementation of the EU Withdrawal Agreement, with citizens' rights a key priority.”
“We have always been clear that those who do not continue to meet the eligibility requirements may have their status removed.”
“Before a decision to remove pre-settled status is taken, individuals will be contacted and given the opportunity to provide evidence of their UK residence, or reasons for their absence.”
“We are taking steps to ensure that vulnerable customers are treated fairly and are supported to provide evidence of their residence in the UK.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗