The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has responded to concerns raised by the3million about travel disruption and the re-entry rights of EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) citizens in connection with the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill 2026. The IMA said some EUSS citizens are experiencing difficulties when returning to the UK, including being denied boarding despite having valid immigration status. Since 2021, it has received 48 complaints about departure-related problems, including carriers failing to accept share codes, requesting additional evidence or being unable to verify passengers’ status. The IMA said the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, introduced in February 2026, has created an additional checkpoint at departure, although EUSS status holders and people with pending EUSS applications do not require an ETA.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has secured a new Practice Direction in Northern Ireland, which applies to proceedings before the High Court and County Court of Northern Ireland, including proceedings already underway on 14 September 2026. The Practice Direction requires a party raising an issue relating to EU and European Economic Area European Free Trade Association (EEA EFTA) citizens’ rights under Part 2 of the Withdrawal Agreement or Part 2 of the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement to notify the IMA as soon as reasonably practicable by providing a copy of the relevant court document. The notification requirement covers issues including residence rights, the right to work and be self-employed, recognition of certain professional qualifications, social security coordination, non-discrimination and equal treatment. The Practice Direction also requires notification to the appropriate Minister, Northern Ireland department or UK Government department where proceedings raise an issue relating to the Windsor Framework’s international law obligation concerning rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has formally requested clarification from the Home Office regarding the travel rights of individuals holding Certificates of Application (CoA) under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). This action follows reports of CoA holders facing entry denials or removal directions at UK borders, despite the certificate's intended purpose of evidencing temporary protection of rights during pending applications. The IMA is specifically seeking clarification on the rights of CoA holders when travelling, including cases where administrative reviews are ongoing.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has issued a call for EU and EEA EFTA citizens to report any travel difficulties experienced following the recent eVisa roll out. The IMA is aware of various problems arising from this, including issues with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system linking evidence to accounts. The IMA is  examining the implications of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and eVisa implementation, including for Biometric Residence Card (BRC) and Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) holders, and the support available for citizens and carriers. The IMA encourages affected individuals to contact them via a dedicated email address to inform potential further intervention.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has written to the Home Office to express concerns regarding reported travel difficulties faced by persons with pending EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications, including difficulties with carriers and at the border. The IMA states that while certain Home Office guidance documents provide that CoAs can be verified at the border, the certificates themselves advise against travel, thereby creating uncertainty for applicants.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has welcomed amendments to the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill tabled by the government in Parliament on 10 March 2025. The amendments would bring in a new clause which aims to resolve uncertainty between EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status and Withdrawal and Separation Agreement rights by ensuring equal treatment for most EUSS status holders, eliminating the need to prove historical EU free movement compliance at the end of the December 2020, in order for a person to have rights under the Agreements. According to the IMA, the changes exclude Zambrano and Surinder Singh route cases, but explicit confirmation is needed from the government as to whether other persons granted EUSS status on the basis of ‘derivative rights’ will be covered (as the proposed new clause just refers to persons granted status as relevant nationals and family members of relevant nationals). The IMA had previously raised concerns about potential future complications for citizens needing to demonstrate their original qualification under free movement rules.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights’ Agreement (IMA) has welcomed clarification from the Home Office that EU and EEA EFTA citizens with a pending EU Settlement Scheme application will be allowed to travel to the UK when the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is enforced from 26 February 2026, after it raised concerns that Certificate of Application holders could otherwise be prevented from boarding transport due to being neither exempt from nor eligible to apply for an ETA, with the Home Office confirming it will use digital systems to instruct carriers to permit boarding, although some travellers may need to present additional documentation at the UK border.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has reported on the Home Office’s updated policy, which allows EU, EEA and EFTA citizens to retain pre-settled status while simultaneously holding immigration status under domestic abuse routes (as well as other domestic immigration routes). The changes apply retrospectively and are supported by updated caseworker guidance. Although the eVisa digital status system displays only a citizen’s most recent status, the Home Office confirms that pre-settled status information remains accessible through other systems such as the Employer Checking Service and Landlord Checking Service. The IMA welcomes the changes but notes it will continue working with the Home Office to understand the revised policy, assess alignment with the Citizens’ Rights Agreements and maintain stakeholder engagement. It notes that there had been a judicial review on the issue, on which it had been granted permission to intervene in, but that was withdrawn by the Claimant before the IMA had filed its written submissions.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has announced that it welcomes changes made by the Home Office to travel guidance for EU, European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizens with pending EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications. The Home Office intends to remove wording advising individuals with a pending application not to travel from Certificates of Application (CoA) issued from 11 February 2026. A CoA confirms a valid application and provides temporary protection of Withdrawal or Separation Agreement rights. The updated advice will apply to all CoA holders, including those already issued.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has endorsed recent changes to Home Office guidance concerning pending prosecutions in EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications. Following the Upper Tribunal's ruling in R (Krzysztofik) v SSHD [2024] Lexis Citation 690, which deemed the previous policy of pausing applications where there was a pending prosecution for alleged conduct committed before the end of the Brexit transition period, and without taking the relevant public policy threshold into consideration, unlawful, the Home Office has revised its approach. The updated guidance now permits caseworkers to progress EUSS applications irrespective of pending prosecutions, assessing eligibility and suitability criteria separately from prosecution allegations. If leave is granted and the applicant is subsequently convicted with a custodial sentence, the case will be referred to the Foreign National Offender Returns Command for potential deportation proceedings, which would invalidate any EUSS leave under the Immigration Act 1971.

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (IMA) has announced that it has welcomed the amendments made to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance on Universal Credit assessments. This update extends eligibility to third country nationals who are family members of EU citizens with Pre-Settled Status. The change follows the SSWP v AT [2023] EWCA Civ 1307 decision by the Court of Appeal, which initially allowed EU citizens facing destitution to claim Universal Credit based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The IMA had raised concerns about the exclusion of third country nationals from the initial guidance update. The IMA is now working to understand the implications for claims refused prior to this latest amendment and continues to engage with the DWP to ensure proper implementation of the judgment.

The Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) has welcomed the introduction of section 45 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which clarifies the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members holding EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status. The new law ensures that, with limited exceptions, all EUSS status holders will be treated as if they have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and Separation Agreement, even where they do not technically qualify. This means public authorities must accept EUSS status as sufficient proof of rights, removing the need for individuals to re-prove eligibility under the Agreements.