In case this is of use to anyone, the pertinent part of the letter follows:
### Changes to settled status residence requirements
The Home Office has simplified the residence requirements that pre-settled status holders must meet to obtain settled status. You can now qualify for settled status, if:
- you have pre-settled status and been resident in the UK for at least 30 months (2.5 years) in the 5 years before you apply for settled status; and
- you arrived in the UK at least 5 years ago.
### Other important information
- You don’t need to explain any time spent outside the UK, as long as you meet the new 30-month rule.
- Any applications not yet decided will be assessed against this new rule.
- If you were previously refused settled status or were granted leave under another immigration route, you may now qualify if you still have pre-settled status and meet the new requirements.
- If you spent more than 2 years in a row outside the UK before 21 May 2024, your pre-settled status will have lapsed. We’re working on changes to help you qualify if you meet the new requirements and will provide an update soon.
### Automated grants of settled status
### Who is eligible?
We are automatically converting pre-settled status holders to settled status, where possible, using UK tax and benefit records. You’ll hear from us by email if this applies to you. You’ll be granted settled status automatically if:
- you are an EEA or Swiss citizen who was resident in the UK by 23:00 on 31 December 2020; and
- your UK tax and benefit records show you lived in the UK for 5 years with absences of less than six months in total in any 12-month period. From early 2026, we’ll update our system to use the new 30-month rule.
### Who still needs to apply for settled status?
You’ll need to apply for settled status if any of these apply. You:
- have not paid UK tax or received benefits for at least 30 months in the last 5 years
- are a family member who is not from the EEA or Switzerland
- are a joining family member who began residence in the UK after 31 December 2020
- are under 18 years of age
- have other eligibility requirements (e.g. derivative rights)
Encourage your family to apply for settled status if they are eligible. You can apply for them if they can’t do it themselves (for example, they are a child).
### Need help?
Visit
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families for information.
Visit
https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/euss for support.
Yours sincerely,
Home Office EUSS team
