Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to airlines on ensuring that they follow the correct procedures when processing inbound individuals with Settlement Scheme Spousal visas who are attempting to re-enter the UK.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who have obtained pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme only hold a digital status and are not issued with physical documentation.  

Carriers are not required to check this status although holders of EU Settlement Scheme status can use the online ‘View and Prove’ service to demonstrate their status. If passengers wish to share their status with a carrier, they need to log onto the service and generate a ‘share code’, which can be given to the carrier.  The carrier can then use the ‘share code’ (and the individual’s date of birth) to enable them to check the passenger’s status information, using the’ Check someone's immigration status’ service.  

Non-EEA nationals who have obtained pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will hold physical evidence in the form of a UK-issued Biometric Residence Card, EUSS Family Permit or EUSS Travel Permit.

The usual obligations to check the validity of passengers’ documentation remain in place, and standard carrier removal obligations continue to apply. 

We are reinforcing this message in our communications with carriers.