EUSS Travel Permit 2026: How to Return to the UK When You Cannot Update Your eVisa

A person with settled or pre-settled status may still experience difficulty returning to the UK if their current passport is not linked to their UK Visas and Immigration account.

The underlying immigration status may remain valid, but an airline may be unable to confirm it against the passport presented at check-in. This can become particularly serious where the person is already outside the UK and cannot update the account themselves.

The EU Settlement Scheme travel permit provides a specific process for eligible EUSS status holders in this position. It allows the Home Office to verify the person's status and manually update the UKVI account with the current travel document.

This article explains who can apply, what changed in July 2026, which documents are required and what applicants should check before travelling.

Mr Abdul Rehman advises individuals on EUSS status, eVisa problems, Home Office decisions and other UK immigration matters. All client matters are handled through Rashid Law Limited in Birmingham. Contact ARK Law for tailored advice.

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At a Glance

An EUSS travel permit is intended for a person who:

• Already holds valid settled or pre-settled status
• Is outside the UK
• Has a new or changed travel document
• Cannot update the UKVI account themselves
• Plans to travel to the UK within six months
• Is not a British citizen

The process does not grant new immigration status. It helps an existing EUSS status holder connect their current travel document to the correct UKVI account.

There is no Home Office application fee. Since 30 July 2026, applicants are no longer required to provide fingerprints, although a photograph and identity document scan are still required.

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What Is an EUSS Travel Permit?

An EU Settlement Scheme travel permit helps someone with valid EUSS status return to the UK when their current passport or travel document cannot be linked to their UKVI account through the normal online service.

The person may have settled status or pre-settled status. However, the airline or carrier may be unable to verify that status if the travel document presented at check-in does not match the document recorded in the digital account.

Common situations include:

• The person obtained a new passport while abroad.
• The previous passport expired.
• The person's name or personal details changed.
• A biometric residence card was lost or stolen.
• The person cannot access the UKVI account.
• The online Update My Details service does not accept the new document.

The current process allows UKVI to verify the person's identity and manually add the new travel document to the account.

Once the account has been updated, the person can use the valid passport together with their eVisa to return to the UK.

A more detailed explanation of digital immigration status is available in ARK Law's guide to the UK eVisa system in 2026.

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What Changed on 30 July 2026?

The Home Office changed the biometric requirements for EUSS travel permit applications on 30 July 2026.

Applicants are no longer required to provide fingerprints.

The change was introduced through Appendix EU (Family Permit) and confirmed in the Home Office explanatory memorandum published with the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.

A person applying for an EUSS travel permit must still provide a passport-style facial photograph. The applicant will normally be directed to a visa application centre, where:

• Their photograph will be taken.
• Their identity document will be scanned.
• Their identity will be checked against the application.

Removing the fingerprint requirement makes the process closer to the procedure used by EUSS status holders who update their UKVI account from within the UK.

The change does not remove the identity verification requirement or make approval automatic.

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Are Physical EUSS Travel Permit Vignettes Still Issued?

The practical form of the EUSS travel permit has also changed.

From 30 June 2026, the Home Office stopped issuing new EUSS travel permit vignettes (physical stickers placed inside passports).

Under the current process, a successful application results in the Home Office manually updating the applicant's UKVI account with:

• The current passport or travel document
• The applicant's new name, where applicable

UKVI then sends an email confirming that the account has been updated and that the person can return to the UK using the eVisa.

A vignette issued on or before 30 June 2026 may still be relied upon while it remains valid. New applicants should expect a digital account update rather than a physical travel permit sticker.

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Who Can Apply for an EUSS Travel Permit?

An applicant must meet all the relevant eligibility requirements.

The applicant must:

• Be outside the UK when applying
• Not be a British citizen
• Hold valid settled or pre-settled status under Appendix EU
• Provide the Home Office reference number connected to that status
• Be unable to update the UKVI account independently
• Intend to travel to the UK within six months of the application

The person's EUSS status must not have:

• Lapsed
• Been cancelled
• Been curtailed
• Been revoked
• Been invalidated

An EUSS travel permit cannot restore status that has already lapsed or been cancelled. It deals with evidence and travel document linking. It does not create or reinstate immigration permission.

Applicants who are uncertain whether their settled or pre-settled status remains valid should obtain advice before relying on the travel permit process. Contact ARK Law if you need to discuss your position.

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Who Cannot Use the EUSS Travel Permit Process?

The process is not suitable for everyone experiencing a UK travel problem.

It is not intended for:

• A person who has never received EUSS status
• A family member applying to join an EUSS sponsor for the first time
• A British citizen
• A person applying from inside the UK
• A person whose EUSS status has lapsed or been cancelled
• A person who can update the UKVI account through the standard online service
• A visitor seeking permission to enter the UK

An applicant who does not already hold settled or pre-settled status may need to consider a different immigration route.

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Is an EUSS Travel Permit the Same as an EUSS Family Permit?

No. The two processes serve different purposes.

An EUSS travel permit is for a person who already holds valid settled or pre-settled status but cannot connect a new travel document to their UKVI account while outside the UK.

An EUSS family permit is generally used by an eligible family member who needs permission to travel to the UK to accompany or join a qualifying person.

The distinction is important:

• EUSS Travel Permit — For an existing EUSS status holder. It does not grant new status. It resolves a travel document or account problem and requires existing settled or pre-settled status.
• EUSS Family Permit — For an eligible family member. It provides entry clearance under the family permit route, allows qualifying travel to join or accompany a family member, and depends on the relevant family relationship and sponsor requirements.

Applying under the wrong process can delay travel and may result in an invalid or refused application.

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Do EUSS Status Holders Need an ETA Instead?

A person with valid settled or pre-settled status does not need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to travel to the UK.

An ETA is not a solution for an unlinked passport or inaccessible UKVI account. It is intended for eligible travellers who do not already have permission to live, work or study in the UK.

Settled and pre-settled status already provide immigration permission. The problem is proving and connecting that permission to the document being used for travel.

An EUSS status holder should therefore resolve the UKVI account issue instead of attempting to rely on an ETA.

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What Documents Are Required?

The public application service states that applicants will normally need:

• A valid passport
• The Unique Application Number confirming settled or pre-settled status

The Unique Application Number is a 16-digit reference, normally shown in the email confirming the grant of EUSS status. Its format usually appears as:

1234 1234 1234 1234

The applicant may also need information explaining:

• Why the passport or travel document changed
• Why the UKVI account cannot be updated online
• Any change to the applicant's name or personal details
• What happened to the previous document
• The intended journey to the UK

If a biometric residence card has been lost or stolen, this must be reported to the Home Office.

Applicants should ensure that the details entered in the application match the current passport exactly. Differences in names, dates of birth or document numbers may require an explanation.

Families and individuals preparing documents for legal advice can also review the ARK Law guide on what to bring to a first meeting with an immigration solicitor.

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How Much Does an EUSS Travel Permit Cost?

There is no Home Office fee for an EUSS travel permit application.

Applicants may still encounter charges connected with services provided by a commercial visa application centre. The amount will depend on the location and type of appointment or additional service selected.

An applicant should distinguish between the Home Office application fee, which is free, and any separate commercial service charges.

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How to Apply for an EUSS Travel Permit

The application must be made online through the official GOV.UK EUSS travel permit service.

A practical application sequence is:

Step 1: Try to Update the UKVI Account

Before applying, try to sign in to the UKVI account and use the Update My Details service.

If the account accepts the new passport, an EUSS travel permit application may not be necessary.

Step 2: Confirm That the EUSS Status Is Valid

Check the original decision email and confirm that settled or pre-settled status was granted.

The application requires the Home Office reference number connected to that grant.

Step 3: Gather the Current Identity Document

The applicant should have the valid passport or travel document they intend to use for the journey.

The details must be accurate and consistent throughout the application.

Step 4: Report a Lost or Stolen Residence Card

A lost or stolen biometric residence card should be reported to the Home Office before or as part of resolving the account issue.

Step 5: Submit the Online Application

The application must be made while the applicant is outside the UK.

The applicant should explain the change in travel document and why the UKVI account cannot be updated through the normal online process.

Step 6: Attend the Visa Application Centre

The applicant will normally be asked to attend a visa application centre.

Since 30 July 2026, fingerprints are not required for an EUSS travel permit application. The appointment is still used to take a facial photograph, scan the identity document and verify identity.

Step 7: Wait for UKVI Confirmation

If the application is approved, UKVI will update the account with the new travel document and, where relevant, the applicant's new name.

The applicant should receive an email confirming the update.

Step 8: Check the Account Before Travelling

Before going to the airport, sign in to the UKVI account and check that:

• The eVisa is accessible.
• The correct status appears.
• The current passport is linked.
• The personal details are accurate.
• The intended passport will be carried during travel.

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How Long Does an EUSS Travel Permit Take?

The GOV.UK application page does not provide a guaranteed decision time.

The time required may depend on:

• The applicant's location
• Visa application centre availability
• Identity verification
• The accuracy of the Home Office reference number
• Differences between old and new identity documents
• Requests for additional evidence
• Suitability or immigration history concerns

Applicants should not assume that the process will be completed immediately. Booking inflexible travel before the account is updated can create avoidable financial and practical problems.

A person facing urgent travel should explain the urgency clearly and provide evidence of any compelling circumstances.

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Can an Application Be Refused?

An application may be refused if the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements or if relevant suitability grounds apply.

Possible issues include:

• The person does not hold valid EUSS status.
• The Home Office reference number does not evidence the claimed status.
• The status has lapsed or been cancelled.
• The applicant is a British citizen.
• The applicant does not intend to travel within six months.
• Required identity evidence has not been provided.
• A deportation, exclusion or other suitability issue applies.
• Materially false or misleading information was submitted.

A refusal notice should explain the reasons for the decision. The appropriate response will depend on the reason given, the applicant's status and the urgency of the planned journey.

A refusal should not be answered through a repeat application without first understanding what went wrong. Where a Home Office decision appears unlawful and no adequate appeal remedy exists, our guide to challenging a Home Office refusal by judicial review explains the process in general terms.

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Common EUSS Travel Permit Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying before confirming that EUSS status was granted
• Using the wrong Home Office reference number
• Applying from inside the UK
• Confusing a travel permit with a family permit
• Attempting to use an ETA instead
• Providing details that do not match the current passport
• Failing to explain a name change
• Not reporting a lost or stolen residence card
• Missing the visa application centre appointment
• Booking travel before receiving confirmation

A consistent application helps the Home Office connect the person, the existing status and the new travel document.

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What Should You Do After Returning to the UK?

After returning, the status holder should sign in to the UKVI account again and confirm that the current passport remains linked.

Before any future journey, check:

• The passport is still valid.
• The eVisa can be accessed.
• The personal information is correct.
• The travel document is connected to the account.
• Any new passport or name change has been reported.

The current passport or travel document must still be carried during travel. An eVisa is a digital record of immigration status, but it does not replace the physical passport used for the journey.

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When Should You Obtain Immigration Advice?

Advice may be appropriate where:

• The UKVI account cannot be accessed.
• The applicant cannot find the EUSS decision reference.
• The status does not appear in the account.
• The person has spent an extended period outside the UK.
• The Home Office says the status has lapsed or been cancelled.
• The application has been refused.
• A deportation or exclusion issue exists.
• Travel is urgent.
• The person holds more than one immigration status.
• The details in the Home Office records are incorrect.

Mr Abdul Rehman is an immigration solicitor in Birmingham who assists clients with European-context immigration matters, visa applications and urgent Home Office issues. Applicants preparing for legal advice can review ARK Law's guide on what to bring to a first meeting with an immigration solicitor.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How Mr Abdul Rehman Can Help

Mr Abdul Rehman advises on EUSS status, eVisa access, Home Office record errors, visa applications and urgent immigration matters.

He is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and an Advocate (Pakistan). He assists clients in English, Urdu and Punjabi across Birmingham and throughout the UK.

A person who is outside the UK and unable to prove valid EUSS status may need a careful review of the grant decision, travel history, current passport and UKVI account before the correct process can be identified.

You can review further UK immigration articles from ARK Law or request a confidential consultation to discuss your circumstances.

All client matters are handled through Rashid Law Limited, Birmingham.

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This article provides general information and reflects the immigration position in August 2026. It does not constitute legal advice. Immigration Rules, Home Office guidance and digital travel procedures can change. Advice should be obtained for individual circumstances before submitting an application or making travel arrangements.

Mr Abdul Rehman is an immigration solicitor at Rashid Law Limited, Birmingham. For advice on your specific situation, please contact ARK Law.