EU Settlement Scheme
About this page
The information on this page relates to the EU Settlement Scheme and how those eligible can apply.
What is the EU Settlement Scheme?
In advance of the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. This includes the right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare and benefits. To retain these rights after 31 December 2020, EU citizens must apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Further detail on the Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK
When you can apply
The EU Settlement Scheme is open. You can apply now if you meet the criteria.
The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal:
You will need to be living in the UK before it leaves the EU to apply. The deadline for applying will be 31 December 2020
To start application process please click here
Fees
It’s free to apply to the scheme.
Who is eligible?
Except in a few cases, you need to apply if:
The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
This means you need to apply even if you:
For further information on eligibility please click here
What you'll need to apply
When you apply, you’ll need proof of:
Proof of identity
You need a valid passport or national identity card. You also need to provide a digital photo of your face.
If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can use any of the following:
If you do not have any of these you may be able to use other evidence in certain situations. Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre if you do not have an identity document.
Proof of continuous residence
To be eligible for settled status, you usually need to have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period for 5 years in a row. You need to provide proof of this when you apply.
If you’ve not lived here for 5 years in a row you may still be eligible for pre-settled status.
You can give your National Insurance number to allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain benefit records.
If this check is successful, you’ll not need to provide any documents as proof of residence. You’ll only need to provide documents if you have been here for 5 years in a row but there is not enough data to confirm this.
The Home Office will tell you immediately after you apply if you need to provide any documents. You should submit photos or scans of your documents through the online application form, rather than sending them by post.
If you have criminal convictions
If you’re 18 or over, the Home Office will check you have not committed serious or repeated crimes, and that you do not pose a security threat.
You’ll be asked to declare convictions that appear in your criminal record in the UK or overseas.
You do not need to declare any of the following: •convictions that do not need to be disclosed (‘spent convictions’) •warnings (‘cautions’) •alternatives to prosecution, for example speeding fines
You’ll also be checked against the UK’s crime databases.
You’ll still be eligible for settled or pre-settled status if you’ve only been convicted of a minor crime.
You may still get settled or pre-settled status even if you have other convictions. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
If you’ve been to prison, you usually need 5 years’ continuous residence from the day you were released to be considered for settled status.
If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
You’ll usually need to provide proof of your relationship to your family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
For further guidance please click here
Further Information
EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
About this page
The information on this page relates to the EU Settlement Scheme and how those eligible can apply.
What is the EU Settlement Scheme?
In advance of the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. This includes the right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare and benefits. To retain these rights after 31 December 2020, EU citizens must apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Further detail on the Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK
When you can apply
The EU Settlement Scheme is open. You can apply now if you meet the criteria.
The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal:
You will need to be living in the UK before it leaves the EU to apply. The deadline for applying will be 31 December 2020
To start application process please click here
Fees
It’s free to apply to the scheme.
Who is eligible?
Except in a few cases, you need to apply if:
- You’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
- You’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, but your family member is
The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
This means you need to apply even if you:
- were born in the UK but are not a British citizen - you can check if you’re a British citizen if you’re not sure
- have a UK ‘permanent residence document’
- are a family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who does not need to apply - including if they’re from Ireland
- are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member
For further information on eligibility please click here
What you'll need to apply
When you apply, you’ll need proof of:
- your identity
- your residence in the UK, unless you have a valid permanent residence document, or valid indefinite leave to remain in or enter the UK
Proof of identity
You need a valid passport or national identity card. You also need to provide a digital photo of your face.
If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can use any of the following:
- valid passport
- biometric residence card
- biometric residence permit
If you do not have any of these you may be able to use other evidence in certain situations. Contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre if you do not have an identity document.
Proof of continuous residence
To be eligible for settled status, you usually need to have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period for 5 years in a row. You need to provide proof of this when you apply.
If you’ve not lived here for 5 years in a row you may still be eligible for pre-settled status.
You can give your National Insurance number to allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain benefit records.
If this check is successful, you’ll not need to provide any documents as proof of residence. You’ll only need to provide documents if you have been here for 5 years in a row but there is not enough data to confirm this.
The Home Office will tell you immediately after you apply if you need to provide any documents. You should submit photos or scans of your documents through the online application form, rather than sending them by post.
If you have criminal convictions
If you’re 18 or over, the Home Office will check you have not committed serious or repeated crimes, and that you do not pose a security threat.
You’ll be asked to declare convictions that appear in your criminal record in the UK or overseas.
You do not need to declare any of the following: •convictions that do not need to be disclosed (‘spent convictions’) •warnings (‘cautions’) •alternatives to prosecution, for example speeding fines
You’ll also be checked against the UK’s crime databases.
You’ll still be eligible for settled or pre-settled status if you’ve only been convicted of a minor crime.
You may still get settled or pre-settled status even if you have other convictions. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
If you’ve been to prison, you usually need 5 years’ continuous residence from the day you were released to be considered for settled status.
If you’re not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
You’ll usually need to provide proof of your relationship to your family member from the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
The EEA includes the EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
For further guidance please click here
Further Information
EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)