European Union Nationals In The UK

European Union nationals in the UK may well be very familiar with the Home Office's EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Those EEA nationals who have lived in the UK and meet the relevant criteria are eligible to apply for Settled Status. Otherwise, again subject to meeting the criteria, eligible applicants are able to apply for Pre-Settled Status.

The High Court has however ruled against the Home Office on the legality of its two-step EUSS application process. Essentially, the High Court ruled that requiring EEA and Swiss nationals holding Pre-Settled Status to make a further application under the EUSS for Settled Status was an unlawful requirement. The Home Office, rather tellingly, indicated that it would not appeal the decision of the High Court and only this month, the Home Office have confirmed that from September of this year, those with Pre-Settled Status will automatically have their status extended in the UK by two years before it expires if they have not already