IMA Advises EUSS Applicants Still Need Support

This follows the Home Office informing grant-funded organisations that, as of 31^st March 2026, it will no longer fund them to provide advice and support in making applications to the EUSS.

The IMA is concerned about support for citizens who have yet to secure status, as late applicants or joining family members as well as those who need to apply to convert from pre-settled to settled status.

In ending the grant funding, under which it has provided £32.5 million since 2019, the Home Office has cited:

• the length of time since the 30^{th of} June 2021 deadline for applications to the EUSS by citizens in the UK at the end of 2020; and
• the significant decrease in the number of EUSS applications and requests for assistance reported to them.

It has also pointed to a number of developments in the EUSS over the last five years, including:

• the simplification of the residency requirements for holders of pre-settled status to be eligible for settled status; and
• the introduction of a process to, where possible, convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status without the need for them to reapply to the scheme.

Pre-settled status is also now usually extended by five years shortly before it is due to expire to ensure that nobody loses their rights for failure to make a second application to the scheme.

Under the Brexit Withdrawal and Separation Agreements, the UK Government has an ongoing obligation to help applicants demonstrate eligibility and ensure accuracy in their EUSS applications.

The Home Office has said it will continue to provide support arrangements for vulnerable applicants to the EUSS after 31^st March 2026 through its own systems. These include the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Resolution Contact Centre and the UKVI EUSS Vulnerability team, which will continue to maintain a dedicated inbox for escalated cases.

The IMA is aware that a significant number of citizens are still making applications to the EUSS. From January to September 2025 there were over 300,000 applications to the scheme.

Through our work, the results of our recent citizens’ survey and feedback from citizens and the organisations that support them, we know that many still require support when making their EUSS applications because of their unique circumstances, challenges or lack of confidence in using public services or completing digital applications.

In our survey, of those who reported difficulties accessing their rights, 42% were still waiting an outcome of their EUSS application, 35% held pre-settled status, and 37% were from an ethnic minority background.

These figures are significant as citizens with pre-settled status or awaiting an outcome may find it more difficult to access their rights than those with settled status.

Chief Executive of the IMA, Miranda Biddle said, “We acknowledge that significant funding has been in place for a considerable length of time and that the support it has provided has doubtless helped hundreds of thousands of citizens to navigate the EUSS system.

“But we know there are still many applications being made, many of which are now more complex due to the time that has passed since Brexit.

“These citizens may still need the assistance the government has a responsibility to provide, and while some support arrangements will continue to be in place we are concerned that some citizens might fall through the net.

“We are aware that issues with applications, status and access to rights often emerge at pivotal life moments, for example when applying for further education, seeking employment or accessing healthcare which is even more acute for citizens to navigate.

“It continues to be vital, therefore, that all eligible citizens receive appropriate support with their application under the Agreements, regardless of timing, to ensure that the experiences of the Windrush Generation continue to inform current and future practices.”

The IMA will continue to work with the Home Office to understand how the arrangements to support those making applications to the EUSS will operate and how assurance will be provided that the level of service is sufficient and effective.

Both the IMA and the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) have raised concerns about the importance of citizens having access to accredited legal advice.

Citizens Advice also provides free, confidential immigration advice, and GOV.UK has some additional signposting to legal support listed here.

Anyone facing difficulties accessing their rights is encouraged to contact the IMA for support. Visit the IMA’s complaints page on our website for more information on the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members who have applied to the EUSS.