Approximately 214,000 migrants have gained residency in the United Kingdom through a post-Brexit visa scheme that officially closed five years ago, according to recent reports. The EU Settlement Scheme, established to allow EU citizens to remain in the UK after Brexit, concluded its application period on June 30, 2021.

Despite the official closure, the Home Office has continued to accept what it terms 'late applications.' Since the deadline, 160,000 individuals have been granted settled status, with an additional 54,000 family members joining them. In the past year alone, 66,000 new applicants secured residency through the scheme. Successful applicants gain access to benefits, the ability to sponsor family members, and eligibility for services such as the National Health Service and student loans on terms comparable to British citizens.

Critics, including Conservative MP Neil O'Brien, have raised alarms about the scheme's integrity. O'Brien stated, "The system is riddled with abuse. Clearly the Home Office is asleep at the wheel and this is costing the taxpayer billions." He has called for the route to be permanently shut down, expressing concerns that it is "riddled with abuse."

The number of applications has reportedly been increasing, with a notable rise in applications from non-EU citizens seeking to join settled EU nationals as partners. Indian nationals, in particular, have received over 50,000 visas through this pathway. Questions have been raised regarding the validity of partner claims, especially when applicants have allegedly been separated for at least five years.

Evidence shared by media outlets suggests that migrants are discussing methods to exploit the scheme on online forums, with some posts originating from Bangladesh and Pakistan. These discussions reportedly involve strategies related to divorcees' rights and leveraging marriages to gain entry into the UK. The Conservative party has asserted that this indicates widespread abuse through sham marriages.

O'Brien challenged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging ministers to provide answers on why new claims are still being accepted and why partner visas are being granted years after the scheme's stated closure. He added, "It is indefensible that new grants to the scheme are rising. Ministers must answer urgent questions about why new claims are still being accepted, and close this loophole."

A Home Office spokesperson commented that "EUSS applications overall are lower than they were this time last year."