The latest government figures show that there is a backlog of 400,000 EU Settlement Scheme applications. This clearly translates into longer processing times for applicants. Certainly this has been our experience for recent applicants - long gone are the days when a decision would be received within a week or two.
Individuals often ask if it's possible to travel whilst the application is pending with UK Visas.
Those awaiting a decision should have received a Certificate of Application which confirms they have made a valid application. Where the person applied by the deadline of 30 June 2021 they are advised not to travel out of the UK until they receive this Certificate of Application.
Where the person applied after 30 June 2021 they must not travel out of the UK until the Certificate of Application is received. UK Visas also recommend that they travel with evidence that they were residing in the UK by 31 December 2020. If at all possible, we would recommend not travelling until the application is processed by UK Visas.