Home Office widens automatic settled status and begins removing some pre-settled status

The Home Office has widened automatic conversion of pre-settled to settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and, from 9 April 2026, will begin removing pre-settled status from people who have clearly ceased to maintain continuous residence.

The Home Office published a policy paper on 9 April 2026 updating progress on a process it announced in 2025. That process automatically converts eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status without a further application.

By the end of 2025 the EUSS had given over 5.8 million people the status they need to live in the UK. An estimated 1.4 million people then held pre-settled status. To the end of 2025 there had been 87,000 automated grants of settled status.

Continuous residence rules

The rules for continuous residence have been simplified. A pre-settled status holder can be granted settled status if they have been resident in the UK for at least 30 months in total in the most recent 60-month period, including those whose leave was previously considered to have lapsed.

Changes to the automated system from 9 April 2026

The automated system now checks for 30 months of tax and benefit payments in the last 60 months to confirm UK residence, rather than applying the more complex Withdrawal Agreement rules. The Home Office says this will increase the number of people granted settled status automatically.

Some groups cannot be converted automatically and need to apply in the usual way:

• EEA citizens without 30 months of tax or benefit payments in the last 60 months
• people granted pre-settled status who later obtained another UK immigration status
• non-EEA national family members
• joining family members of any nationality
• people under 18
• people with other eligibility requirements, such as those with "derivative rights"

Where status cannot be converted automatically, pre-settled status continues to be extended by five years. Pre-settled status holders can still apply for settled status as soon as they are eligible.

Removal of pre-settled status

From 9 April 2026 the Home Office will begin removing pre-settled status from individuals who have clearly ceased to maintain continuous residence in the UK. There are two stages:

• First stage: tax and benefit data and any evidence of criminal conduct are checked. Where eligibility for settled status is established, the digital status is converted automatically.
• Second stage: where eligibility cannot be confirmed, Home Office travel data is used to help identify who has not maintained continuous residence. Those outside the UK longest are reviewed first, starting with people who have been outside the UK for the last five years.

Safeguards

Before a decision to remove pre-settled status, individuals are contacted using the email address and telephone number on their UKVI account. They are given the opportunity to provide evidence of their UK residence or reasons for their absence. Additional time will usually be given where required, and vulnerable individuals will be supported to provide the right evidence.

Status will only be removed where it is proportionate. Caseworkers consider:

• the circumstances of any excessive absence, including the reasons for and length of absences and reasons for not returning sooner
• other relevant factors such as age, health or integration

Where removal is considered disproportionate, the person keeps pre-settled status and can apply for settled status once they have been resident in the UK for 30 months in the last 60. Any decision to remove pre-settled status is subject to a right of appeal.

Sources

• Home Office, EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status automation update: April 2026, published 9 April 2026