Written question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration: EU Nationals

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, published on 5 March (HC1691), what estimate they have made of the number of individuals who will be affected by the changes to the EU Settlement Scheme to extend the period to 60 months in which an individual can use an expired biometric residence card as proof of their identity and nationality; and on what evidential basis that decision was taken.

Answer: The change in HC1691 extends the current provision which allows a non-EEA national to use an expired biometric residence card (BRC) as proof of their identity and nationality, where the BRC is up to 18 months expired. The change therefore allows a wider cohort of BRC holders to remain on a fully digital application journey, without having to attend a UK visa application centre. It also assists wider UK Visas and Immigration customers by lowering demand on UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL15656
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules
Thursday, 5 March 2026
House of Commons papers
House of Commons
House of Lords; Immigration: EU Nationals
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Immigration EU nationals
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk