Useful letters when status checkers doubt you
Sometimes, even when you have rights under the law, decision makers and status checkers don’t apply that law correctly.
the3million has created a number of letters that might help you. You can download them, or print them out, and show them to the person or organisation who is checking your status and denying your rights.
Physical cards expiring at the end of 2024
A note to local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions
If you have a biometric residence card or permit that has an expiry date of 31 December 2024 printed on it, this does NOT necessarily mean that your right to live, work and receive benefits in the UK is also expiring then.
The UK is transitioning to a digital-only immigration system, and your expiry date has to be checked in a different way.
Applying for a visa when travelling to the EU as a non-EU family member
A note to EU Member State consulates, embassies, and border control
Since Brexit, visa national family members of EU citizens living in the EU can’t rely on their biometric card anymore to exempt them from getting a visa.
However, these visas must be issued free of charge and on the basis of an accelerated procedure. (This does not apply if you’re applying for a visa from your EU family member’s country of nationality).
Non-visa national family members, who accompany their EU family member when travelling, are not limited to staying in the EU for a maximum 90 days in any 180 day period.
View & Prove sometimes does not work properly
A note to employers to make them aware of known technical problems with View & Prove
If you have an eVisa, you need to use the Home Office View and Prove website to generate a share code to prove your right to work (and other rights).
Sometimes however, the Home Office website doesn’t work properly, or something in their database relating to your status has broken. Employers still have a duty not to discriminate against people when conducting immigration checks.
Pre-settled status and Right to Work Checks
Employers no longer have to do follow-up checks for their employees with pre-settled status
The Home Office has made changes to the EU Settlement Scheme such that pre-settled status is extended a month-or so before it is due to expire. Employers should no longer see expiry dates when they use a Right-to-Work share code.
If you are being discriminated against by your employer, because you have pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, this letter may be useful.
