UK Immigration Update – June 2025

The Government’s latest changes to eligibility for Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme will substantially benefit current holders of Pre-Settled Status. In this update, we explain what the changes are.

In its latest legislative Statement of Changes announced on 24 June 2025, the Government has updated the eligibility criteria for Settled Status (SES), specifically the calculation of “continuous residence” for those currently holding Pre-Settled Status (PSS). Under the current framework, an individual holding PSS would, in most circumstances, lose eligibility for SES where they have been absent for more than 6 months in any 12 months of the 5-year qualifying period. Effective 16 July 2025, SES will be granted to holders of PSS able to evidence any 30 months’ residence in the UK over the 60 months’ qualifying period.

This change follows the UKVI’s phased implementation of automatic grants of Settled Status in some cases, which presumably will now include where the UKVI has access to evidence of any 30 months’ residence in the 60 months’ period of PSS. Whilst not expressly dealt with, the UKVI will continue to grant automatic renewals of PSS where no automatic grant of SES has been made. PSS holders who believe they are eligible for SES, but have not been automatically granted that status, are free to submit a separate application at any stage whilst holding PSS. 

These changes only apply to those applying for SES based on PSS and do not currently apply to any other routes for Indefinite Leave to Remain under the UK Immigration Rules.

For further information and advice on all UK immigration issues, please contact Jonathan Chaimovic or your regular Team contact.