Home Office publishes new guidance on EUSS reforms

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is encouraging EU and EEA EFTA citizens who intend to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to familiarise themselves with new guidance from the Home Office.

The guidance for caseworkers is part of wider reforms to the EUSS and gives details about the type of circumstances, in which late applications will be accepted as well as the type of evidence that should be provided to support that application.

The reforms address repeat application situations. They explain that, where someone has already made a previous application (in-time or late application) to the EUSS and whose application has been refused or rejected, they will not normally be able to make future applications to the EUSS unless there are compelling or compassionate practical circumstances.

The updated guidance also contains information about the other EUSS reforms including the closure of the EUSS to Zambrano and Surinder Singh cases and preventing illegal entrants to the UK being able to apply to the EUSS as a joining family member.

The IMA has published a Q&A on their website about the reforms.

The IMA will continue to engage with the Home Office in relation to how the reforms will be implemented and will provide further updates when this detail is received and assessed.

Anyone experiencing difficulties accessing their rights is encouraged to contact the IMA.

More information about the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens who have applied to the EUSS can also be found on the IMA’s website.