Settled Status

As a consequence of the post-Brexit immigration regulations, the EU Settlement Scheme is a temporary solution aimed at registering all resident European nationals and their family members. It is just temporary, but it has been prolonged well beyond the original transitory period to give everyone ample time to apply.

EU nationals with Settled or Pre-Settled Status may be certain that they will not be compelled to leave the country – or deported – at a later point, and that they will be allowed to live and work in the UK without interruption.

Settled Status

Applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme who can establish 5 years of continuous residency in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man are awarded Settled Status. Unless you are a joining family member, you must have begun residing in the United Kingdom by December 31, 2020.

You will be permitted to stay in the UK permanently if you are given Settled Status. If you have Settled Status, you can stay outside the UK for up to 5 years in a row (or 4 years if you are a Swiss citizen) without losing it.

What are the requirements for the settled status?

To be eligible for Settled Status, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

  • You are a member of the European Economic Area (EEA); or
  • You are a member of a relevant EEA citizen’s family; or
  • You are a family member who has retained the right of residence due to a relation with a relevant EEA citizen; or
  • You have a derivative right to reside; or
  • You have a Zambrano right of residence; and
  • You began residing in the United Kingdom by December 31, 2020 (or you are an accompanying family member who came after December 31, 2020 and then completed a continual qualifying term of residence of at least 5 years); and
  • You have lived in the country for at least 5 years in a row.

EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit

Non-EEA nationals who desire to travel to and enter the UK to join or accompany a close family member who is an EEA citizen are eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit.

Non-EEA citizens who might want to join or accompany a close relative who is an eligible person of Northern Ireland or an eligible native born British citizen, or family members of British citizens who have resided with that British citizen in another EU country prior to 31 December 2020, can apply for EU Settlement Scheme Family Permits.

What are the criteria for a Family Permit under the EU Settlement Scheme?

To be eligible for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that you:

  • You are a member of a relevant EEA citizens’ joining family
  • Within 6 months of the date of application, you shall accompany the EEA citizen to the UK or join them in the UK
  • Your familial relationship started before December 31, 2020