As Christmas approaches, many of us look forward to warmth, family, and the comfort of home. But for thousands of vulnerable EU citizens and Ukrainians in the UK, this winter is filled with uncertainty.

Settled welcomes this timely and very well researched report by the Equality and Social Justice Committee, Welsh Parliament, highlighting some of the big issues that are affecting – and will continue to affect – EU citizens in Wales (and across the UK).

Settled’s Ukraine Advice Service is at the forefront of providing expert immigration advice on Ukraine visa schemes and related matters. This post will bring much needed additional capacity to a small, very busy team, using your expertise to respond promptly and compassionately to Ukrainian citizens pre- and post-arrival in the UK and their family members.

How can the UK ensure a fair, secure, and humane pathway for Ukrainians who have found safety here? This question lies at the heart of Settled’s ongoing advocacy and policy work. We’re proud to share the newly published University of Bristol Policy Brief on Ukraine, developed in collaboration with leading experts in migration and refugee law, including contributions from Settled’s Ukraine Advice Team, as well as important UPE developments product of new proof-of-identity requirements introduced on25 September 2025.

We invite you to take a peek and enjoy reading Settled’s Highlights 2024/25, Settled’s busiest year on record, with some very impressive stats, and four wonderful stories from our beneficiaries sharing not only their incredible stories but the story of Settled and its impact in their own words.

If you are an EU or EEA EFTA parent living in the UK, there is a possibility that your child does not have certain rights. Click here to find out more.

The Comites – Settled EUSS Info tour for Italian-speakers continues for anyone needing help with the EU Settlement Scheme. Please join us in Cambridge (11 Oct), Peterborough (18 Oct) or Woking (8 Nov)!

Settled is concerned about the rise in cases of individuals who have made a valid application under the EUSS and hold a Certificate of Application but are denied entry at the UK Border or are detained on arrival and then removed from the UK. Our casework demonstrates that enforcement action is taken against individuals who hold a Certificate of Application notwithstanding a pending application, administrative review or appeal. Settled is particularly concerned that denial of entry and removal of individuals with a pending application, administrative review or appeal does not accord with due process and is in violation of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Update: Travelling to the UK
with pre-settled or settled status

Big news! Our article with Reuters is now live—and also featured in The Independent!

The Settled Ukraine Advice Service, funded by the British Red Cross Ukrainian Refugees
Legal Support Project, provides free, accredited immigration advice and advocacy to
protect the rights of displaced people from Ukraine and their family members in the
UK.

FREE Immigration Advice Drop-In – Wrexham – 9 June 2025

This leaflet is created to help people from vulnerable communities, including the Roma
community.

Settled newsletter celebrates Europe Day and includes upcoming event details.

Our charity Settled has a new office address. After 3 good years in vibrant Newport Market we are pleased to move to a prominent, accessible space in Platform, Cardiff Bay.

With this new letter, Settled would like to inform you of some changes that will affect you and provide tools for self-help in case of issues when travelling back to the UK.

If you have submitted your application for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE) on time, your existing rights in the UK will be automatically extended under Section 3C leave of the UK immigration law while you await a decision on your application. This means you can continue to live, work, study, and access public funds in the UK while your application is being processed.

Settled is proud to announce our new British Citizenship Service. Do you need help to make an application for British citizenship?
We are here to help!

Settled is becoming concerned by an increase in the reports we are receiving from Ukrainians about the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, UPE, particularly while applications to extend permission to remain in the UK are considered.

Free Italian-language webinar on 4 March 2025 at 6 PM (UK time) organized by Comites London, Comites Manchester, and Comites Scotland & Northern Ireland, with the participation of the fantastic volunteers Aisha Barbara Farina & Daniela Vicini, will cover UK travel rules with pre-settled/settled status, the automatic transition process, and new family reunification regulations.

Settled has an exciting new Info & Comms vacancy! We seek a proactive and collaborative communications professional to provide impactful information and communications for EU citizens and Ukrainians, for our supporters and donors, and for the wider public. With excellent writing, creative and technical skills you will carry out a range of responsibilities to boost our charity’s mission. You will raise the authentic voices of people seeking a home in the UK who are affected by Brexit and by the war in Ukraine and celebrate their contributions to our society.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has this morning issued new guidance to say that under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, Ukrainian parents can sponsor their own children to join them in the UK.

We seek an experienced administrator to provide expert and confidential administrative support to the CEO and the board of trustees, so that Settled can carry out governance responsibilities effectively.

Settled shares deep concerns with the UK Home Secretary regarding the position of Ukrainians seeking protection in the UK since the Home Office’s unannounced changes to the Ukraine Scheme introduced in February 2024, particularly relating to parents seeking to reunite with their children left in Ukraine. Desperate parents are resorting to increasingly desperate measures to transport their minor children to the UK. We are asking for the government to reinstate the right of Ukrainians granted protection in the UK to sponsor a visa that would allow them to bring their dependent family members, and in particular their children, to the UK.

We are looking for new trustees to join our board and support this great charity which is helping EU citizens and Ukrainians to enjoy their rights to live, work and study in the United Kingdom.

Whilst we have some great news and positive stories to share with you, we would also like to share with you what a challenging time this is for thousands of people that are coming to us every month in need of our support and we need your help.

With this letter, Settled would like to inform you of some changes that will affect you and provide tools for self-help in case of issues when travelling back to the UK.

Hello everyone, we wanted to let you know that the Settled Service Team will be taking a break for the festive period.

At the inaugural EmpowerEU Awards ceremony, organized by the EU Delegation to the UK, Settled was honoured with a ‘Community Endeavour’ award in the Community Champion category. The EmpowerEU Awards have been created to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements by organisations across the UK in supporting EU citizens and strengthening EU-UK relations

It will likely take a generation before we can be sure that all EU citizens

On 19 February 2024, without prior notice or consultation, the UK government closed two of the humanitarian visa schemes that

Settled recently wrote to Seema Malhotra MP, the new Minister for Migration and Citizenship at the Home Office. Based on our casework experience, we outlined concerns about difficulties faced by particular client groups in applying for EUSS status. 

The Home Office has started granting five years of extension (instead of two) to pre-settled status holders who have not yet switched to settled status.

This is not a dramatic change, but we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some key principles:

Home Office changes affecting both EU citizens and Ukrainians 1. No new or replacement BRPs/BRCs – effective 26

A good example of why Settled is so needed, in yesterday’s piece in The Observer

As a result of recent Home Office changes related to EUSS arrivals arriving at the UK Border, Border Force officers have been granted the power to cancel leave of someone with pre-settled status if they cease to meet, or never met, the requirements of the rules.

These changes were brought in on 15 July 2024. The changes

Our Ukraine service gives free, multilingual, accredited advice and support to many Ukrainian families on the UK’s Ukrainian visa schemes.

One couple, having arrived under the Homes For Ukraine scheme in 2022, had set up a business and secured a tenancy. By February they were ready to apply to sponsor their young daughter and be reunited with her. Then the rules were changed overnight,

New job opportunities – Advice and Development Officers Greater London (Hybrid) Scotland, United Kingdom Medway, Kent Pro rata

During this pre-election period and in anticipation of a new government, Settled calls on politicians and officials to take note of these recommendations:

1. RESPECT
EU citizens who have settled in the UK make an enormous contribution to