Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
1. What is the EU Settlement Scheme?
It is a Home Office immigration scheme which aims to provide status to EU citizens and their
families who want to live in the UK after Brexit. Eligible citizens need to apply online (with a
few exceptions) as this new immigration status is not granted to them automatically.
2. What is the difference between settled and pre-settled status?
● Settled Status is granted to EU citizens who have five or more years continuous
residence
*
in the UK (and earlier in some limited cases).
● Pre-settled status is granted to EU citizens who have less than five years continuous
residence in the UK. Once they have accrued five years of demonstrated, continuous
residence in the UK, they can apply for settled status.
* Five years’ continuous residence means that for 5 years in a row you’ve been in the UK, the
Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period.
3. Who needs to apply?
a. Citizens of the European Union
b. Citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (the European Economic Area) or
Switzerland
c. Their family members: this includes all children, dependents and spouses who do
not hold British citizenship.
*Irish citizens can apply but they don’t need to. Their non-EEA family members must apply to
stay in the UK.
**Those with Indefinite leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Enter can apply, but they don’t
have to.
4. What documents do I need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
To apply to the EU Settlement Scheme you normally need a national identity document
(either a passport or a national ID card) and proof of your residency in the UK. If your
document is not biometric (does not have this symbol ) you will need to post your
document to the Home Office as soon as you submit your application for settled/pre-settled
status).
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
5. When is the deadline for the applications?
The deadline for applications is the 30th of June 2021. However, we strongly recommend that
you apply as soon as possible and not leave it to the last minute.
6. How long do I need to live in the UK to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
It is not specifically mentioned in the application procedure, however you need to be able to
prove that you started living in the UK before 31 December 2020. To apply for pre-settled
status you need to demonstrate that you have been resident in the UK at least 1 day in the
past 6 months. To apply for settled status you must have resided in the UK for at least 5
continuous years.
7. Can I apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EU Settlement Scheme) from outside the UK?
Yes, you can apply from outside the UK by using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to find
out if you are entitled to apply from outside the uk.
8. What documents can I use to prove my residence in the UK?
The documents required as proof of residency are normally:
● bank statement showing payments received or spending in the UK
● payslip for a UK-based job
● water, gas or electricity bill showing a UK address
● landline or mobile telephone, TV or internet bill showing a UK address
● domestic bill, such as for home repairs, vet’s services or insurance, and evidence of
payment
● card or letter from your GP, hospital or other healthcare professional confirming
appointments you have made or attended
● letter from a government department, public service or charity that show you dealt
with them on a particular date or for a particular period (for example JobCentre Plus
or Citizens Advice Bureau)
● passport stamp confirming entry at the UK border
● used travel ticket confirming you entered the UK from another country
● invoice for work you have done in the UK and evidence of payment
If you do not have any of these documents, we recommend you to get in touch with an
immigration adviser. Our project can help you for free. Get in touch with us on
info@citizensrightsproject.org
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
9. Do I need to have a job to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
No, it is not mandatory to have a job for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme as long as you
have any other documents that can prove your residency.
10. Do I need to have a National Insurance Number to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
No, it is not mandatory to have a National Insurance Number. Pre-settled and Settled Status
are awarded solely on the basis of a person’s residence in the UK.
11. Do I need to have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance in order to apply to the EU
Settlement Scheme?
You do not need Comprehensive Sickness Insurance to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
12. Does my child need a passport to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
Yes, your child needs a valid passport or ID. You also need to prove the relationship (by
uploading the birth certificate). If you apply for settled status you can link your child’s
application to yours and your child will receive the same status as you. If you apply for a
pre-settled status then you need to prove your child’s residence in the UK.
13. I want to move to the UK, but I cannot do it until 2021, can I still apply to the EU
Settlement Scheme?
No, after 31st of December 2020, you may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or
work. To check if you need a visa, please visit https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
14. I already have a permanent residency card – do I need to apply to the EU Settlement
Scheme?
Yes. You must either apply for settled status under the EU settlement Scheme or,
alternatively, apply to naturalise as a British citizen. Permanent residency documents will
become invalid after the application deadline for settled status under the EU Settlement
Scheme. If you already have valid proof of permanent residence the process will be easier, as
you will not have to prove your 5 years of continuous residence.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
15. I have a letter from the Home Office from 1989 stating that I have Indefinite Leave to
Remain (ILR) Do I have to apply for settled status?
If you have Indefinite Leave to Remain, it is not mandatory to apply for the EU Settlement
Scheme if you want to stay and live in the UK. However, if you choose to apply (and meet all
the other conditions), you’ll get ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’
- also known as settled status, which allows you to spend up to 5 years in a row outside the
UK without losing your settled status (instead of 2 years with the indefinite leave to enter or
remain you have now). Unlike with your ILR, you will not receive a physical proof of your
status.
16. I am an EU national and have an old ‘unspent’ conviction from my home country – can I
still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme? Do I need to declare my old ‘unspent’
conviction when I apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
If you want to continue living in the UK you should apply for settled/pre-settled status within
the EU Settlement Scheme as soon as possible, and you need to declare all of the “unspent”
convictions both in the UK and in any other country. All applications for settled/pre-settled
status are checked against criminal record databases in both the UK and any other EU
country. If you have to declare convictions in your EU Settlement Scheme application, we
recommend you to get in touch with an immigration adviser before applying. Our project can
help you for free. Get in touch with us on info@citizensrightsproject.org
17. I have a pre-settled status – when can I apply for the settled status?
You can apply for settled status at any time as long as you can prove that you have been
continuously resident in the UK for 5 years. You should not wait until your pre-settled status
expires to apply. You can apply as soon as you reach your 5 continuous years in the UK.
18. I have pre-settled status. Does this automatically convert to settled status once I reach
5 years of continuous residence in the UK?
No, it doesn’t. You must submit a new application following the same online process as when
you applied for your pre-settled status. You can apply for settled status as soon as you reach 5
years of continuous residence in the UK. You should not wait until your pre-settled status
expires.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
19. How long can I stay outside the UK not to break the continuity of my residence?
If you are granted pre-settled status you can lose it if you break the continuity of your
residence by being outside the UK for more than 6 months in any 12-month period. However
there are some exceptions and you can be absent from the UK for one period of up to 12
months for an important reason (for example, childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational
training, military service or an overseas work posting). You can find more information about
this here. The government has also released some guidance for applicants if your qualifying
period in the UK has been affected. You can read it in this link.
If you have settled status you can be outside the UK for up to 5 consecutive years.
20. Can I lose my pre-settled and settled status?
Yes. You can lose your pre-settled status if you stay outside of the UK for more than 2
consecutive years. If you are granted settled status you can lose your status if you leave the
UK for a period of five consecutive years (four years for Swiss citizens), or if you commit a
serious criminal offence
21. For how long I would have to come back to the UK, to be able to leave again without
losing my settled status?
You can spend up to five years in a row outside the UK without losing your status. Four in the
case of Swiss citizens. However, if you leave the UK for 5 years, come back for a very short
period, and then you leave for another 5 years the Home Office may question your intention
to be a resident in the UK.
22. If I have a pre-settled status, and have been away from the UK due to the coronavirus
pandemic and am not able to travel back – will that affect my status? Will I be able to
apply for settled status in the future?
Pre-settled status can’t be renewed or extended, and an interruption will leave you short of
the five years that you need to qualify. There might be a possibility for you to re apply for
pre-settled status if you have been present at least one day in the past six months and before
the end of the Transition period on 31/12/2021.
You can also check if your absence from the UK can be considered an exception if your
continuous qualifying period in the UK has been affected by restrictions associated with
coronavirus. For more information, check the UK Government’s guidance here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
23. I have Settled Status, how can I link my child to my status?
To do this, select the option to apply ‘using your parent’s residence’, then enter your child
application number. You will need to do this for each child you apply for. You can use your
own email address in the application if your child does not have one.
24. I have settled status; can I bring my parents from my home country to stay with me in
the future?
If you are an EU citizen, then some of your family can come to live in the UK. Your family
member will need to either:
● get pre-settled or settled status before they come to the UK
● get an ‘EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit’ to come to the UK and apply for
pre-settled or settled status when they’re here
25. What immigration system will be in operation after the transition period?
The UK has introduced a points-based immigration system.This system treats EU and non-EU
citizens equally and aims to attract people who can contribute to the UK’s economy. New
immigration routes have opened for applications to work, live and study in the UK.
26. I applied for settled status because I have been living in the UK for more than 5 years
but was granted a pre-settled status – why?
In this case it is possible that the documents you uploaded did not cover the 5 years of
continuous residence. You can get in touch with the EU Resolution Centre to find out what
might have happened.
27. What happens if my application is rejected?
If you are not happy with the decision, you’ll be told in your letter if you can apply for the
decision on your application under the EU Settlement Scheme to be reviewed. This is called
an administrative review. For more information about this, visit this link.
If you are unhappy with the decision and the letter tells you cannot ask for the review, you
either need to accept the decision or seek other legal means to challenge the decision; you
may consider consulting a legal expert on this.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
28. I have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, but I haven’t received any confirmation
email, what should I do?
Sometimes the emails from the Home Office go to ‘SPAM’ folders. Please check this folder
before taking any actions. If the email is not there you need to call the EU resolution centre to
check if your application was registered and if it hasn’t you will need to re-apply.
29. My phone is not scanning my ID document, what can I do?
You can contact the nearest ID scanning centre and book an appointment (at the moment,
most of the centres are closed due to the Covid-19 restrictions). In this case the local
authority can help and advise you. Check the ID Scanning services in your area here.
Alternatively, you can also get in touch with us on info@citizensrightsproject. One of our EU
Settlement Scheme immigration advisers might be able to help you for free
30. How do I apply without an electronic device?
The application is online for most applicants can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet or
computer, However, if you do not have access to an electronic device, or you don’t feel
confident using one, or do not have access to internet, you can find your nearest ID scanning
location here and your closest Assisted Digital Service in this link. Alternatively, you can also
get in touch with us on info@citizensrightsproject. One of our EU Settlement Scheme
immigration advisers might be able to help you for free.
31. What if I do not have a biometric passport?
The online app can only scan biometric chips, which are also provided in some national ID
cards. If no biometric chip is available, you will need to apply online and must post the
original documents for identity checks at the Home Office. You will be given the address
during the application process.
32. My spouse resides abroad and is non-EU national. What documents do they need to
apply?
Your spouse can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK if they hold a
relevant UK document (a residence card, a permanent residence card or a derivative
residence card). Otherwise, they will need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family
permit to come to the UK. Once they are in the UK, they will have to apply for pre-settled
status. If they arrive on 21st April 2021 or after, they will have to apply to the EU Settlement
Scheme within 3 months of their arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
33. What physical proof will I receive to demonstrate my status?
None. The status is only in digital form and it is linked to your passport/ID card. You must
keep your details up to date. The confirmation email of your status, and the PDF letter
attached to this email CANNOT BE USED as a physical proof. You can view and prove your
status using this link.
For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme, visit the UK Government website in this link.
This information has also been translated into all EU languages. You can access the translations here.
