Ada's 'grant in error' story | “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells,” she says. “There’s no freedom. It’s making me anxious and frustrated.”
Ada came to the UK in 2019 on a student visa. She later met her husband, a Swedish citizen, and they built a family together, welcoming two children. Over the years, Ada has built a life in the UK. She works in healthcare and hopes to progress in her career by undertaking a Nursing Associate apprenticeship, with the longer-term ambition of becoming a registered nurse. With the support of her employer, she had begun taking steps towards this goal, hoping to balance her training, work and responsibilities as a mother.
Suddenly, however, the uncertainty surrounding her immigration status put those plans at risk.
Following the birth of their first child, Ada applied to the EU Settlement Scheme as the durable partner of an EU citizen. Her application was successful, and she was granted pre-settled status. When she later applied for settled status, however, the Home Office questioned whether she had provided sufficient evidence of her relationship. Despite submitting further documents and evidence, her application was refused. She was also told that her original grant of pre-settled status had been granted in error.
The decision left Ada facing uncertainty about her future in the UK, despite having established her family life and career here. “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells,” she says. “I can’t travel. There’s no freedom. It’s making me anxious and frustrated.”
In March 2026, Ada submitted a further application to the EU Settlement Scheme to no avail and when her pre-settled status expired in August 2026, her anxiety increased, particularly because of the uncertainty surrounding her right to work and her plans for further training.
She subsequently sought legal advice and contacted the3million for support with her case and the difficulties surrounding the status displayed on her eVisa. Her career plans were now at risk. She hoped to begin a Nursing Associate apprenticeship, which would allow her to continue working while training, before progressing to university to qualify as a registered nurse. However, the uncertainty surrounding her immigration status threatened to put these plans on hold. Although her employer obtained a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office’s Employer Checking Service, questions about her immigration status continued to cause significant concern.
Despite repeatedly contacting the Home Office for updates, nothing has moved forward. “I called them today. They said the same thing. My application is still being considered.”
Then came a significant development. the3million informed Ada that the Home Office had extended her pre-settled status and agreed to reconsider her case. The news brought enormous relief after months of anxiety and uncertainty.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. Honestly, I am speechless. Even the mention of my case being reconsidered gladdens my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
For Ada, the development has brought renewed hope that she can move forward with her life, care for her family and pursue her ambition of becoming a registered nurse without the same uncertainty hanging over her future.
Two weeks later, Ada shared the news with the3million that she had been granted settled status: "Finally the news I have been waiting for."
'Granted in Error'
the3million is challenging the Home Office ‘granted in error’ policy - see here for more information. We have launched a crowdfunder for our legal costs, please support us.
