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Late Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme

Published 22 December 2024

On January 16th 2024, the Home Office stated that if an individual believed they didn’t need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme because they held a document confirming permanent resident as an EU national in the UK, this was considered a valid reason for a late application.

Previously, the Home Office did not accept late applications if EU nationals had applied for permanent residence cards instead. These cards were no longer valid after the June 2021 deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Now, if you hold a valid permanent residence card and were unaware of the EU Settlement Scheme rules, you may have reasonable grounds for a late application.

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

The EU Settlement Scheme allows nationals of the EU, other EEA countries and Switzerland who were resident in the UK by December 31st 2020 to apply for an immigration status that allows them to live, work and study in the UK legally.

Who is eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme?

You can still apply to the scheme if:

the deadline for you to apply is after June 30th 2021;
or you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for a late application.

EU Settlement Scheme deadlines

The deadline for most applications to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30th June 2021.

However, the Home Office has released information that surrounds the possibility of late applications to the Scheme and what are considered reasonable circumstances for consideration for this.

As of January 16th 2024, Home Office guidance states that certain circumstances may apply for individuals who believed they did not need to apply earlier to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Visit the gov.uk website for more information on applications and late deadlines

Late EU Settlement Scheme applications

You can still apply if you’re eligible and can show ‘reasonable grounds’ for why you were unable to apply by the deadline.

You must give evidence of your reasonable grounds which must:

explain the reason(s) you couldn’t apply; and
cover the whole period since the deadline passed, as well as why you couldn’t apply by the deadline.

Such grounds may include:

your parent or guardian didn’t apply for you when you were a child, and you’ve only recently been made aware of the requirement to apply;
a serious medical condition prevented you from applying;
significant, ongoing care or support needs.

A more extensive list can be viewed on the gov.uk website.

Find out more