EU citizens with pending residency decisions entitled to travel, Home Office told

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who are waiting for a UK residency decision under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) can keep traveling to the United Kingdom with their valid national identity cards, provided they have a confirmed, valid EUSS application. The Home Office confirmed this position and updated guidance in 2025. This policy gives applicants a clear path to visit, work, or return to family while their cases are processed, and it remains in place through at least December 31, 2025.

Policy changes — summary

• Right to travel with national identity cards: EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals with a valid EUSS application confirmation can enter the UK using national identity cards until December 31, 2025. This exception does not apply to those entering as joining family members.
• ETA rollout from April 2, 2025: The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) began for EU, EEA, and Swiss visitors (except Irish citizens) on April 2, 2025. People with settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS do not need an ETA, but their travel document must be linked to their digital status.
• End of ID card acceptance for most travelers: From January 1, 2026, the UK will stop accepting EU national identity cards for entry for people without EUSS status. A passport and, in most cases, an ETA will be required.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, airlines and border officers now rely heavily on document checks linked to Home Office systems; keeping your digital records current is therefore essential for boarding and entry.

Eligibility conditions and document checks

The right to use national identity cards is tied to one clear condition: you must have applied under the EU Settlement Scheme and received confirmation that your application is valid. That confirmation is typically sent by email from the Home Office.

• Carriers will check your identity document against Home Office databases at check‑in.
• Border Force will perform the same checks on arrival.
• Joining family members cannot use this exception; they must follow the separate joining rules under the scheme.

Important actions to take before travel:

• Make sure your national identity card or passport is listed in your online account so it matches what the airline scans.
• The Home Office encourages digital status checks before travel to avoid last‑minute problems at the airport.

ETA requirements and exemptions

The UK introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for short‑term visitors on April 2, 2025. How it applies:

• You do not need an ETA if you have settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS and your travel document is correctly linked to your digital record.
• You may need an ETA if you do not have EUSS status and plan a short visit.
• Irish citizens are exempt from ETA and do not need to apply.

Operational notes:

• Airlines and border officials check ETA status electronically, similar to EUSS digital status checks.
• If the travel document in your EUSS account does not match the one you bring to the airport, you may be denied boarding even if your status is valid.

Residence rule update for pre‑settled status holders

The Home Office issued a Statement of Changes on June 24, 2025, with changes taking effect between July 16 and 29, 2025. The update expands the “continuous qualifying period” for those on pre‑settled status:

• You can now be outside the UK for up to 30 months in any five‑year period without breaking your residence for settled status.
• This replaces the older six‑months‑per‑year approach and helps people who had to leave the UK for long periods, including during COVID‑19 or for family care.

Who benefits:

• Workers on rotation
• Students studying abroad
• Parents who split time across borders

This reduces the risk of losing progress toward settled status due to legitimate absences.

Late applications and family routes

• The main EUSS deadline was June 30, 2021, but the Home Office continues to accept late applications if there are reasonable grounds.
• New family members can still join eligible sponsors under scheme rules.
• Upgrades from pre‑settled to settled status continue as people meet residence requirements.

Community advice:

• Groups such as The3Million stress the importance of explaining reasons for late applications clearly and keeping supporting records, especially for people who struggled during the pandemic or faced access barriers.

Timeline and key dates

Practical travel steps for pending EUSS applicants

1. Apply for EUSS and wait for the Home Office to confirm your application is valid.
2. Log in to your digital status account and add your current passport or national identity card.
3. Before travel, check that your document is listed and active in the system.
4. At check‑in, present the same document that appears in your Home Office account.
5. Keep a copy of your EUSS application confirmation email for reference.
6. If you lack EUSS status after December 31, 2025, plan to travel with a valid passport and, if required, an ETA.

Warning: A common pitfall is failing to update the digital record after renewing a passport or national identity card. Even a small mismatch can lead to a refused boarding message from the airline system. Take five minutes to update your account before buying tickets.

Impact on workers, students, and families

• The ability to use national identity cards through 2025 reduces last‑minute travel stress and avoids ETA applications for those with valid EUSS applications.
• Parents who split time between the UK and the EU can maintain routines while cases are processed.
• The new 30‑month absence rule helps people who had long breaks for health, caregiving, or other legitimate reasons remain on track for settled status.

Practical reminder:

• Even a small mismatch between the document you travel with and the one listed in your EUSS account can result in refusal to board. Update your digital record after any document renewal.

Official guidance and where to check

The most reliable source for travel rules, document checks, and ETA policy is UK government guidance for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens. See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visiting-the-uk-as-an-eu-eea-or-swiss-citizen

• The Home Office updates this page when policies shift, and carriers follow the same rules.
• VisaVerge.com reports that digital checks at the border move faster when travelers keep their identity documents synced with their EUSS status, but delays still happen when records are out of date.