Settled Status UK EU Citizens
A new scheme will grant settled status for EU citizens and their families to remain in the United Kingdom (after Brexit). This guide explains who is eligible and how to apply for settled status once the UK leaves the EU.
EU CITIZENS: Are you a European Union citizen who is currently living in the United Kingdom?
You and your family can apply to get 'settled status'. Doing so, will allow you to continue living in the United Kingdom beyond June 2021.
There is no need for Irish citizens, and anyone with indefinite leave to remain, to apply. But, their family members will need to apply for settled status if they are from outside the UK and Ireland.
The scheme will operate to its full capacity from March 2019. Following that, the deadline for applications will be the 30th of June 2021.
People who are joining a family member in the UK after the June 2021 deadline may still be able to apply.
Note: UK Government is still in negotiations to confirm the settlement rights for citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
What does Settled Status mean?
If you get settled status it means you will be able to continue living and working in the United Kingdom. So, there would be no requirement for you to leave the UK and you would also be eligible for:
- Applying to become a British citizen (providing you meet the requirements).
- Public funds and pensions.
- Public services (e.g. healthcare and schools).
Note: The UK Parliament still needs to approve some of the details in the new settlement scheme for EU citizens.
Eligibility for Settled Status UK EU Citizens
To qualify for getting settled status to live and work in the United Kingdom, you would need to:
- Be a citizen of the European Union (or be a family member of an EU citizen).
- Have started living in the United Kingdom by the 31st of December 2020.
- Have been living in the United Kingdom 'continuously' for five (5) years. The authorities will refer to this as having 'continuous residence'.
Follow UK Rules for 2019 Updates!
As a rule, you would be eligible for 'pre-settled status' if you lived in the United Kingdom for less than five (5) years. A non-EU citizen would need to show a 'relationship' to an EU citizen living in the UK.
What is Continuous Residence?
Continuous residence refers to the amount of time you spend in the UK during each year. In general, you would need to have been in the UK for at least six (6) months in each of the five (5) qualifying years to have continuous residence.
An exception to this rule would usually apply for:
- Compulsory military service.
- One period up to 12 months for a valid (important) reason (e.g. for studying or working).
Less than 5 Years of Continuous Residence when Applying
In this case, if you do not have five years it is most likely that you would get 'pre-settled status' instead of the 'settled status'.
Having pre-settled status would mean you can stay in the United Kingdom for a further five years. It also means you can live and work in the UK. You would still have access to public funds and services on the same basis as you do 'presently'.
Note: You would then be able to apply for settled status once you complete 5 years of continuous residence.
Getting Settled Status for a Child
There is no need to apply if your child is already a British citizen. But, you would need to apply on behalf of your child to get settled status if they are not a British citizen.
Providing you have eligibility to apply, any of your children aged under 21 would also be eligible. This applies even for children who arrive in the United Kingdom after the 31st of December 2020.
Having a Child after getting Settled Status
Providing your child is born in the UK, your child would become a British citizen by automatic process. Thus, there would be no requirement for you to apply for settled status on their behalf.
Overseas Family Member of an EU Citizen Living in the UK
There may be a situation where a family member is not living with you in the UK by the end of December 2020. In this case, an overseas family member can apply to join a relative in the UK after 31 December 2020 if (both):
- The family member qualifies for application and the relationship existed by the 31st of December 2020.
- It is a close family member (e.g. a spouse, civil partner, a dependent child or grandchild, or a dependent parent or grandparent).
Apply for Settled Status UK EU Citizens
The deadline for applications has been set for the 30th of June 2021. You can still apply after this the deadline if you will be joining a family member who is already living in the UK.
Filling in the settled status UK EU citizens application form will be an online process. But, some help and support will be available over the phone or in person.
Note: The new settled status scheme will not operate to its full capacity until March 2019. The UK Parliament still needs to approve some of the details in the new settlement scheme for EU citizens.
Proof needed for Applications
You will need to provide certain items of proof when you apply. They will include proof of:
- Your identity and residence in the United Kingdom. This is not needed if you already have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to remain.
- Your relationship to a family member from the EU who is living in the UK (if you are from outside of the EU).
Proof of Identity
Proving your identity means having either a valid passport or a national identity card. Citizens from outside of the EU can use a valid passport or a biometric residence card. At the time of your application you can either:
- Scan your identity document (e.g. using an Android mobile phone or tablet).
- Send in your document by postal methods.
Note: You will also need to upload a recent digital photo image that shows your face.
Proof of Residence
You will be able to grant permission to the Home Office to check HM Revenue and Customs data. The HMRC data should show how long you have lived in the United Kingdom.
If you need to provide evidence that proves your residence, you will be able to submit scanned documents, such as:
- P60s
- Bank statements
- Utility bills
Note: Providing evidence of your entire residence in the UK is not needed. The proof relates only to the period that proves your eligibility for settled (or pre-settled) status.
Applicants with a Criminal Conviction
You will need to give information about any criminal history in the UK and overseas if you are over 18 years old. They will also check any application against the information stored on the UK crime database.
Having a criminal conviction does not always mean you will not get a settled or pre-settled status. Convictions get judged on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants from Outside the European Union
Applicants from outside the EU will need to give proof of a relationship to an EU citizen family member. You can use a birth certificate or a marriage (or civil partnership) certificate.
The online application will have a facility that will allow you to submit all this information. You can use the same facility to provide the identity and residence evidence of your family member.
Note: Unless you have a biometric residence card, you will need to provide a photo of your face and stamp your fingerprints. You will need to do this at one of the application centres in the United Kingdom.
Settled Status UK EU Citizens Cost [Updated 21 January 2019]
Today, the government announced that there will be no fee to pay when the scheme fully opens on the 30th of March 2019. If you apply during the test phases (before March 30th) you will get the fees refunded:
- £65 (for applicants age 16 or older)
- £32.50 (for applicants under 16 years old)
Note: If you have applied already, or you apply and pay the fee during the test phases, you will receive a full refund (to be published in due course).
The settled status UK EU citizens cost will not apply and it will be free of charge if:
- You already have valid indefinite leave to remain or a valid permanent residence document.
- Your application is to move from a pre-settled status to a settled status.
- You are a child who is in local authority care.
Correcting a Mistake in the Application
The Home Office will contact you before they make a decision on the application. Thus, you will be able to correct any errors.
Note: They might also inform you to provide them with more evidence so they can make a final decision.
What Happens after the Application
An online service will provide proof of a successful application for UK settled status. A physical document will only be available for applicants from outside the EU who do not already have a biometric residence card.
As a rule, you will not lose your settled status unless you leave the United Kingdom for a period of more than five (5) years.
What if an application is unsuccessful? In this case, you can reapply providing you do it before the 30th of June 2021. You can also appeal the decision if you are applying after the 30th of March 2019.
How to Apply for Settled Status UK EU Citizens before June 2021 Deadline
