In recent months, some European citizens residing in the UK have reported anomalies in the automatic status update system managed by the Home Office, UK Visa and Immigration.
Specifically, there have been cases where individuals who already held settled status received an email from UKVI regarding the automatic upgrade from pre-settled to settled status, only to find themselves assigned pre-settled status again, extended for five years beyond the original expiration date.
As we know, the EUSS scheme is entirely digital, and the UK government does not issue any physical document to prove immigration status. Errors like these are therefore cause for concern, as they may have serious consequences if not identified in time, most notably, someone with settled status could suddenly be unable to prove they have the right to remain in the UK permanently. This could lead to complications with employers and public services.
How Does the Automatic EUSS System Work?
Since January 2025, UKVI has introduced an automatic update mechanism that is intended to make it easier for eligible individuals to transition from pre-settled to settled status, i.e. those who have lived continuously in the UK for five years.
At present, only individuals with five years of employment-related contributions paid via PAYE are eligible for this automatic extension because the UKVI cross-checks this information with the tax office (HMRC) using the National Insurance Number to confirm the individual’s presence in the UK.
Before completing the upgrade, the system appears to temporarily extend pre-settled status to ensure that no one is left without valid status while their case is being assessed. This process usually happens without any action required from the individual.
However, during this “automatic extension” phase, some people who already held settled status have found themselves, inexplicably, downgraded back to pre-settled status.
What’s Going On?
It appears there is a malfunction in the system that, rather than skipping profiles that have already been upgraded, puts them back through the extension process, accidentally replacing the correct status with the wrong one.
What to Do If You Receive This Communication
If you receive an email from UKVI regarding a review of your pre-settled status, do not ignore it, even if the email suggests it can be disregarded if you already hold settled status.
Log into your personal UKVI account and check your status online to confirm that your settled status is still visible.
You can check your status via the official UK government site: https://www.gov.uk/evisa/view-evisa-get-share-code-prove-immigration-status
If you notice any discrepancy, contact the EUSS Resolution Centre to clarify the issue. You can also report the problem to the association the3million, which is gathering reports of digital system errors to advocate for improvements.
Reports can be submitted at: https://www.the3million.org.uk/report-it
The digital EUSS system was designed to simplify things, but it still has flaws that can seriously affect people’s lives. It's crucial to stay vigilant to protect your acquired rights.
So, if you already hold settled status and receive an email from UKVI, do not ignore it: check, verify, and report if needed. It's better to fix an error immediately than discover it months later, perhaps where you are ready to apply for British citizenship.
