UK Home Office has introduced new statement of changes, bringing significant amendments to multiple visa routes, including the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), Appendix Private Life and Appendix Long Residence. These updates, which come into force, aim to simplify requirements, address inconsistencies and provide greater clarity for applicants.
EU Settlement Scheme: Clarifying Continuous Residence
One of the most notable changes relates to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), where concerns have been raised about confusion surrounding “continuous residence” requirements for pre-settled status holders transitioning to settled status.
Under the current rules, pre-settled status holders must not be absent from the UK for more than six months in any 12-month period, with limited exceptions for important reasons (e.g., COVID-19 disruptions). However, stakeholders reported that many individuals unintentionally breached these rules due to misunderstandings, risking their eligibility for settled status.
To address this, the Home Office has introduced a more flexible approach:
- From 16 July 2025, pre-settled status holders will qualify for settled status if they can demonstrate 30 months of residence in the UK within any 60 month period.
- This change applies to both manual applications and automated Home Office assessments, ensuring fairer treatment for those with temporary absences.
Appendix Private Life: Supporting Children and Young Adults
The Appendix Private Life route has also been updated to better support children and young adults who have grown up in the UK. Key changes include:
- Young adults who were granted permission before 20 June 2022 can now qualify for settlement after five years if they meet the “half-life test” (having spent at least half their life in the UK).
- Children who have lived in the UK for seven years will be eligible for settlement after five years, aligning them with other similar routes.
These amendments aim to prevent unfair disadvantages for young people who have built their lives in the UK but previously faced stricter settlement criteria.
Part 9: Mandatory Refusals for Serious Conduct
As part of the new statement of changes, UK Home Office has introduced tougher restrictions targeting individuals excluded from protection due to serious criminality or security threats. Specifically, Part 9 of the Immigration Rules has been amended to mandate the refusal or cancellation of immigration permission for individuals excluded from asylum, humanitarian protection, or non-refoulement on such grounds. Although exceptions will still apply in certain human rights cases, this amendment reinforces stricter enforcement measures against high-risk individuals, ensuring greater alignment with national security priorities.
Other Technical Adjustments
Additional updates include:
- Appendix International Armed Forces & Civilian Employees: Amendments to allow 50 US Department of Energy employees to work on US military equipment in the UK.
- Appendix Long Residence: Time spent as a British citizen will no longer count towards long residence if citizenship was later revoked (e.g., due to fraud).
Conclusion
New statement of changes reflects the Home Office’s ongoing efforts to simplify legal pathways and provide fairer, clearer routes to settlement especially for EU citizens, children and long-term residents. As these changes take effect from July 2025, individuals and immigration professionals should carefully assess how these updates impact their circumstances. For expert advice or support, contact Morgan Smith Immigration today.
With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to excellence, Morgan Smith Immigration is your trusted partner for all your immigration needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with UK Visa Applications. For any enquiries or assistance, call us at 0203 959 3335 or email [email protected].
