Home Office to Revoke EUSS Pre-Settled Status for Lapsed Continuous Residents
The Home Office has announced a new process to remove some pre‑settled statuses under the EU Settlement Scheme. The change targets EU, EEA and Swiss nationals who no longer meet the UK continuous residence rules.
What the Home Office has changed
A policy paper published yesterday confirmed wider use of automated checks inside the EUSS. The system will rely on records such as 30 months of tax or benefit entries within a 60‑month window.
The department says it will identify people who appear not to have met the 30‑in‑60 months residence test. The action affects those with pre‑settled status who have long absences from the UK.
How checks will be carried out
The Home Office will carry out checks in two stages. First, it will use tax and benefits data to confirm UK residence.
If residence cannot be confirmed using those records, secondary checks will use travel data. Cases will be prioritised by length of absence, starting with people who have been away for up to five years.
If the checks show a person meets the settled status criteria, the department will convert their digital status automatically. Where residence cannot be verified, the Home Office may move to remove pre‑settled status.
Notifying people and protections
The department says affected individuals will be contacted before any removal decision. People will have the chance to respond, provide evidence, or explain absences.
Standard response time is 28 days. Extra time may be granted in some cases, particularly for vulnerable people.
The Home Office says removals will be proportionate. Decisions will include a right of appeal and account for mitigating circumstances.
Independent Monitoring Authority response
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements welcomed the stated proportionality test. It cautioned that the published guidance is high‑level.
The IMA warned that guidance lacks detail on how caseworkers should assess individual circumstances. The authority said it will keep monitoring implementation and continue engagement with the Home Office.
Miranda Biddle, the IMA chief executive, said the authority recognises the stress this may cause. She said the IMA has pressed the department for assurances about safeguards and decision‑making robustness.
Scope and practical notes
The Home Office estimates about 1.4 million people held pre‑settled status at the end of 2025. The IMA noted that removal of status can be lawful under the Withdrawal Agreement and related separation agreements, if individual circumstances are considered.
The announcement makes clear the Home Office will revoke EUSS pre‑settled status for lapsed continuous residents when checks support that outcome. Anyone experiencing problems can contact the IMA through its complaints portal for assistance.
