You need to demonstrate, with evidence, that there are ‘reasonable grounds’ why you did not apply by the deadline of 30 June 2021. The Home Office will take a strict approach when looking at the reasons why the application has been submitted late.

If the Applicant’s reasons for a late application are accepted, a Certificate of Application will be issued.

If the Applicant’s reasons for a late application are not accepted, the application will be rejected as an invalid application. There is no right of Administrative Review or appeal against such a rejection.

Please see an overview of late applications – rules, changes, reasonable grounds, process, case study – in this explainer article we co-produced with Europe Street News (June 2024), or see our Q&A boxes below.