Welcome to the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has secured a new Practice Direction in Northern Ireland which will come into force on 14 September 2026.

We are aware of reports regarding changes to identity document requirements for ferry passengers travelling between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland from 28 September and are considering what this means for EU and EEA EFTA citizens, and their family members whose rights are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement and the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is aware of recent media coverage concerning access to services, support and entitlements for EU citizens and their family members living in the UK and Gibraltar. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) welcomes the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) commitment to review Universal Credit claims that were wrongly refused to third country national family members of EU citizens holding Pre-Settled Status (PSS).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed the Home Office’s acceptance of three recommendations made following its inquiry into delays in deciding some EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has noted the Home Office response to its recently published inquiry into delays in deciding some EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications.

Joining family members with a pending EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application who hold a valid Certificate of Application (CoA) are being advised to check their status for travelling based on Home Office guidance. 

The Home Office has today announced plans which could lead to some EU and EEA EFTA citizens who have been out of the UK for a lengthy period over the last five years being told that they may lose their Pre-Settled Status (PSS).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is encouraging anyone with relevant experience to respond to the UK Government’s call for evidence on the design of a new Independent Appeals Body to help reform Asylum and Immigration appeals.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) inquiry has found that the Home Office breached the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens by failing to deal with some EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications in a reasonable timeframe. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is assured that all 153 local authorities in England have confirmed they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the rights of eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers are protected.   

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is closely watching a judicial review challenge to the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) eVisa system which is due to be heard before the High Court on 3-4 March 2026.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is highlighting the need for adequate and effective support to be in place for those applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) welcomes changes to the information provided by the UK Home Office to EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members who wish to travel while awaiting a decision on their EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) welcomes the changes made in the revised Housing Allocation Scheme, which came into force on 6 January 2026. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights’ Agreement (IMA) welcomes clarification from the UK Home Office that EU and EEA EFTA citizens with a pending EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application will be able to travel when the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is enforced in February 2026.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is marking its fifth year in operation by highlighting the ways in which EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members contribute to the UK and Gibraltar, helping both countries to grow and thrive.

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) notes the report of the Welsh Parliament’s Equality and Social Justice Committee Report, “Settled but not safe?” ​and the insight and commentary it provides about some of the challenges faced by EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members in Wales following Brexit. 

Two new Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to the Board of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights Agreements (IMA) finds that barriers to accessing rights are still a problem for some citizens five years on from Brexit.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has been examining whether the rights of EU, EEA and EFTA citizens are being upheld when individuals with pre-settled status as a resident or joining family member later acquire immigration status under one of the routes for victims of domestic abuse.   

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has written to the Home Office expressing serious concerns about reported difficulties faced by EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants when travelling, or planning to travel, to the UK. This includes reported difficulties with carriers and at the UK border.

This June, a team from the IMA travelled to Belfast to take part in the Big Sanctuary Information Fair which was being held at Queens University. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed the decision of the High Court to refer a case, in which it made submissions, to the Court of Justice for the European Union (CJEU). 

We welcome important changes to the Immigration Rules laid before Parliament today, which aim to simplify how absences from the UK affect pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). 

We were pleased to give evidence to the EFTA-UK Separation Joint Committee about the work of the IMA in the previous year. 

If you have status under the EUSS you may have previously used documents such as an EUSS Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to travel.  However, the UK has now fully transitioned to a digital immigration system.  

We’ve received some queries about whether the UK Government’s white paper concerning immigration would mean that EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members, who have rights under the Withdrawal Agreements, would be affected by a proposed new 10-year route to settlement set out in the white paper.

We’re continuing to speak to the UK Government to seek clarity about how their white paper concerning immigration might impact on EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members who have rights under the Withdrawal Agreements and as promised will continue to issue updates.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is launching a survey to better understand the experiences of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members living in the UK and Gibraltar four years on from Brexit.  

New guidance issued by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) should provide greater clarity for citizens following concerns raised by The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is pleased to be supporting the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) with his latest call for evidence.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed amendments to the Border Security Asylum and Immigration Bill which were tabled in the UK Parliament yesterday (Monday 10 March). If agreed, the amendments will help to clarify the rights of citizens under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed further changes to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance, following extensive engagement.   

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has been made aware that some travellers have experienced problems following the recent further eVisa roll out.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed clarification from the Home Office about how citizens will continue to have their rights safeguarded. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizen’s Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed the issuing of new guidance to local authorities from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) about how to assess whether citizens with rights under the Agreements can receive homelessness support.

As the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) marks its fourth year in operation, we are reminding EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members, who have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, that your rights should be upheld by public bodies in the UK and Gibraltar.  

This winter, a team from the IMA travelled to Belfast to find out more about the experience EU, EEA, EFTA citizens and their families face in Northern Ireland (NI).  

Nicole Lappin has been appointed as the new Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) by the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) welcomes changes to Home Office guidance on how pending prosecutions affect applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). 

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Nicole Lappin has been chosen as the preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has secured a new practice note in Scotland which will come into force on 1 December 2024.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has written to the Home Office after receiving information that citizens who hold a valid Certificate of Application (CoA) are having issues at the UK border, including being denied entry to the UK or are subject to removal directions. This includes administrative review of applications pending. 

NOTE: 24th JUNE 2025 – EUSS absence rules for pre-settled status holders are due to change from 16th July 2025. From this date pre-settled status holders need to live in the UK for 30 months in a five-year period to maintain status and qualify for settled status.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has issued a reminder to EU and EEA EFTA citizens (and their family members) with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) how they can spend time outside the UK without it affecting their status.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizen’s Rights Agreements (IMA) is continuing to seek clarity from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) following an important ruling from the Court of Appeal which impacts on whether citizens have the rights to claim benefits to prevent them from becoming destitute. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is encouraging parents and carers to check their children’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application status.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is assured that all five Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland have confirmed they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the rights of eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers are protected.    

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is issuing a reminder about the right to travel to the UK with a valid national identity card.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has completed the initial review into the way English local authorities ensure looked after children and care leavers from EU and EEA EFTA countries have their rights protected in the UK now that it has left the European Union.

UPDATE – 18 JUNE 2024 – To include that the first proposed change for the removal of pre-settled expiry dates from View & Prove and right to work (including licensing) and right to rent checking services for third parties has been undertaken.
The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed Home Office decisions on changes to the EU Settlement Scheme for pre-settled status holders in relation to how a significant High Court judgment on
citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements will be implemented.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens Rights’ Agreements (IMA) is calling for a resolution on a landmark judicial review judgment against the UK Home Office relating to the implementation of parts of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

The Deputy Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), Leo O’Reilly has been appointed as its Interim Chair as the recruitment process for a permanent Chair gets underway.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has highlighted a decision by the Supreme Court to refuse the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions’ (SSWP) request to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling in which the IMA had intervened.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) continues to have concerns about the Home Office implementation of a significant High Court judgment related to citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreement (IMA) is reminding EU and EEA EFTA citizens of what to expect when travelling amid further reports of difficulties at the UK border.

As the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) marks its third year in operation it is reflecting on some of the areas where it has taken action to ensure the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members are being upheld by public bodies.

The third annual survey undertaken by the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), which ran from April to June 2023, found the top three areas where citizens continued to experience difficulties accessing their rights were employment, travel and healthcare.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) continues to be concerned about the implementation of the High Court judgment in relation to rights under the Citizens’ Rights Agreements and continues to work with the Home Office to seek assurance that the action taken addresses the findings of the judgment.

The Court of Appeal has handed down its judgment in the case of Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v AT.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements is assured that all 22 local authorities in Wales have confirmed they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the rights of eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers are protected.  

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is urging citizens with reasonable grounds for applying late to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to make sure they are providing sufficient information and evidence to demonstrate these.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has received approval for a new Practice Direction which will come into force on 1 October 2023.

The Lord Chancellor has reappointed Ronnie Alexander, Joyce Cullen, Marcus Killick and Leo O’Reilly.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed changes made by the Cabinet Office to update the Civil Service nationality requirements for posts advertised via the Civil Service Jobs website.

The Chairman of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA), Sir Ashley Fox resigned with immediate effect on Monday 11 September after being selected as the Parliamentary Candidate for the Bridgwater constituency for the Conservative Party.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has launched an inquiry after receiving reports of citizens experiencing delays with their EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications. 

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has noted the response by the Home Office to our inquiry into Certificate of Application (CoA) delays.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is encouraging EU and EEA EFTA citizens who intend to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to familiarise themselves with new guidance from the Home Office.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has noted Home Office information about how it will implement a High Court judgment in relation to the rights of pre-settled status holders under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), but has expressed disappointment at the lack of meaningful engagement to date and the lack of clarity in the proposals for citizens.

The UK, through the Home Office, failed to comply with its obligation under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements to issue a Certificate of Application immediately to EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants, for particular types of application.  

Miranda Biddle has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA).

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has identified that some unsuccessful applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) may have been wrongly charged for NHS treatment.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) is seeking the views of European nationals and their family members in its third annual survey.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has intervened within the ongoing proceedings of Secretary of State for Work & Pensions v AT.

A spokesperson for the IMA said, “On the 18th January this year, the Home Office made us aware of an exercise to update UKVI accounts of EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants refused status between June 2021 and April 2022, where those accounts had continued to show a Certificate of Application rather than a refused status.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements has been successful in a landmark High Court case which will help provide clarity for millions of citizens with pre-settled status.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has intervened in Tribunal proceedings.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has been granted permission to intervene in a case before the Court of Appeal.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has launched a review to find out what measures local government across the UK is taking to ensure eligible EU and EEA EFTA looked after children and care leavers have their rights protected.