UK Home Office says pre‑settled status was granted to EU citizens in error

The UK Home Office has sent letters to thousands of EU citizens living in Britain, informing them that the pre‑settled status they received after Brexit was mistakenly granted because they did not meet the eligibility criteria before the 31 December 2020 deadline. Recipients are now required to re‑apply for settled status, raising concerns for those who have been working, paying taxes, studying or raising families in the UK.

The Guardian reported that the Home Office did not disclose how many people were contacted, but a Freedom of Information request revealed that only 95 individuals were mailed in March. A campaign group was told that the letters were part of a review affecting a broader pool of EU nationals who may have been given pre‑settled status without sufficient proof of eligibility.