European Union Settled or Pre-Settled Status

Securing your position in the UK as a national of the European Economic Area (EEA)

EEA Citizens and their families already living in the UK before 31 December 2020 must apply for the EU settlement scheme and obtain Settled or Pre-Settled Status before 30 June 2021 to make sure they can continue living lawfully in the UK.

The free movement of EEA citizens will end on 31 December 2020. This means that EEA citizens coming to live in the UK after that date will need to satisfy new immigration rules. The EEA includes Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Those already here by that date can get confirmation that they have the right to stay in the UK before 30 June 2021.

If you have lived in the UK continuously for 5 years, you will be given Settled Status or Indefinite Leave to Remain. You can live permanently in the UK.

If you have lived in the UK continuously for less than 5 years, you will be given Pre-Settled Status or Limited Leave to Remain. You can live and work in the UK and you can apply for Settled Status once you have been here for 5 years.

Family members who are not EEA Citizens must also apply for Settled and Pre-Settled Status.

If you have a Permanent Residence Card you will still need to apply.

Irish citizens do not have to apply for Settled or Pre-Settled Status in order to continue living in the UK. However their EEA or non-EEA Family members must apply.

EEA citizens married to British Citizens must apply.

There is no card or document issued with Settled or Pre-Settled Status. You are given a number which you use to access your status electronically.

Working with us

Unlike the previous rules for EEA citizens, you do not have to prove that you have worked or studied or been self-sufficient during your years in the UK. The Home Office simply look at the records held by other government agencies to see how long you have been in the UK.

There are other categories of people connected to EEA Citizens who may apply for Settled or Pre-Settled Status. For example:

you used to have an EU, EEA or Swiss family member living in the UK (but you’ve separated, or they’ve died)
you're the family member of a British citizen and you lived outside the UK in an EEA country together
you’re the family member of a British citizen who also has EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship and who lived in the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen before getting British citizenship
you are the primary carer of a British, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
you’re the child of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who used to live and work in the UK, or the child’s primary carer

Sometimes there are problems with these applications. We will be able to work with the Home Office to resolve these problems.

We an also help you bring non-EEA family members to the UK before 31 December 2020 on a Settlement Scheme Family Permit.

How does the process of obtaining settled or pre-settled status work?

We can advise on, prepare and submit your application for Settled or Pre-Settled Status.

"There is not enough thanks in the world to say for helping me and my husband. We had been looking for help and couldn't get any better - Angela Cole with her professionalism did absolutely amazingly."
Liga Kurzemniece

You give us information about you and your family and we will advise on the best course of action, whether it is bringing a family member to the UK from outside the EEA or securing the status of you and your family already in the UK. We will then do all the work to submit a strong application.

If you have made an application yourself and been refused, come and see us.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am Indonesian and I am the mother of two Italian children. I have been here as their primary carer for several years. Can I apply for Settled or Pre-Settled Status?

Yes you can. You have a 'derivative' right to reside and you can now apply for Settled Status if you have been here on that basis for over 5 years.

Can I get British Citizenship if I have Settled Status?

Yes you can. If you are married to a British Citizen, you can apply as soon as you get Settled Status. If not, you must wait 12 months and then apply for British Citizenship.

Can I bring my parents to the UK to live with me? I am Portuguese and my parents are Angolan.

Yes, you can bring non-EEA parents to the UK before 31 December 2020 on a Family Permit. The Home Office will assume they are dependent on you. We strongly advise you to take legal advice if you are considering this route.

Get in touch

Securing your position in the UK as a national of the European Economic Area (EEA)

If you want to find out more about the EU Settled or Pre-Settled Status, call or email us. We offer a free initial consultation where we will explore your circumstances and discuss your options.

Contact us

Our Services

Great experience working with Sallie. Professional and understanding! Will work with her again, with no doubt.
Ms L
We have been very impressed with the service we have received over the years of dealing with Angela. She went above and beyond to solve our specialised problem with very pleasing results. We would strongly recommend her work and knowledge in the field. A true professional.
Mr Aldalis
I highly recommend Sallie for her professionalism and lovable, kind approach. I am very happy to get her as my immigration lawyer for processing my kids Visa.
Shiva K
I highly recommend both Angela and Karen. They both have been amazingly helpful throughout the visa application process of my wife. They do truly care for their clients. They look at the case in reasonable time periods and return with any missing information rapidly. Consulting them during this exciting yet stressful process was the best decision that I made. Today my wife got granted the visa just after 5 weeks of her biometric scans.
Mr Yazici
They are so honest and professional . Clear answers and guidance to all my questions 👍👍. Thanks a lot .
Mr Khalil
Just received a decision from the Home office that I would’ve NEVER thought was possible. So happy and over the moon! I would definitely recommend your services to friends & family if required in the future. Huge thanks to Sallie and the team, best immigration solicitor in the business!!
Mr Bamba
Angela Cole is a wonderful, hardworking, honest, kind and reliable Solicitor. Her work is very high standard, very professional and her team is friendly. Me and my husband have no hesitation in recommending Angela Cole's excellent services.
Ms Small
"Simply a team of experienced people who gave us excellent and honest advice. Having now taken an appeal through to a successful conclusion for the (very reasonable) price promised, I have no hesitation in recommending this firm."
Jon Chrimes - Google Review
"The team went an extra mile and fought my case much more and much better than I would have expected. In the end, my case was successful and I cannot thank them enough for all they have done. If I ever need legal help in the future I will definitely use their services again and recommend them for their reasonable prices, supportive advice and first rate legal services."
ANONYMOUS - Google Review
"Excellent people, excellent service. They made the process of bringing my husband to the UK painless. Couldn’t have done it without them, highly recommend!"
Lindy Pine - Google Review
"I am ecstatic, thanks to you all. My life is complete now and anything else is a bonus. Even if it seemed impossible I knew we were going to win this and that is why I never gave up. Thank you for your work, support and encouragement."
MRS. Last
A BIG THANK YOU , for your help in helping me acquire my British settlement and British citizenship application successfully done. Your professionalism and kind warm attitude and nature made this process very easy and stress free. You took all my concerns away.

My Lawyer, Sallie Davies, is very knowledgeable and competent and I have implicit trust in her. The fees are also reasonable compared to other law firms. I highly recommend Sallie and her team.
MRS. H
Thanks to Sallie, my wife is finally in the UK after a horrible year and long delays with Home Office. Highly recommended Immigration Legal Services!
MR. B
Angela Cole and everyone at Immigration Legal Services will work to produce the best outcome for you and, from our experience, they only concern themselves with your goal and not your wallet. Immigration Legal Services' charge was a very good price for all the help and security they provided
MR. C
Despite the high professionalism practiced within the firm, there is always a strong sense of compassion , and care, from both Angela, and lovely Karen, which has really helped to set our minds at ease. Absolutely recommended & Eternally grateful
Ms. f
I would like to thank both of you, Sallie and Karen for your assistance in the way you handled my wife's Spouse Visa Extension to remain here with me in the United Kingdom. We will recommend The Immigration Legal Services here in Ipswich to anybody who wants to apply for a visa to come or remain here in the United Kingdom because the service they provided proved to be most reliable, simple and quick process. Much appreciated Sallie and Karen. Thanking you once again. We will be back again.
Robert