‘Serious concerns’ as UK-based EU citizens wrongly blocked from re-entering Britain

WorldPolitics
13 Aug 2025 • 5:52 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • EU citizens awaiting pre-Brexit residency decisions have been wrongly denied re-entry to the UK after short trips overseas for holidays or business.
  • The Independent Monitoring Authority for Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has expressed serious concerns to the Home Office, stating these individuals should not be removed.
  • The IMA asserts that a valid 'certificate of application' (CoA) should grant citizens the right to exit and re-enter the UK while their residency application is pending.
  • The IMA has urged the Home Office to clarify the rules surrounding CoAs before the implementation of new electronic travel authorisations (ETAs).
  • The Home Office maintains that CoA holders are aware they may be asked for further evidence, though campaign group the3million believes a CoA should be sufficient proof of rights.

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