European Union Settled or Pre-Settled Status

EEA Citizens and their families already living in the UK before 31 December 2020 should have applied 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 ended on 31 December 2020. This means that EEA citizens coming to the UK for the first time 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 missed the deadline, you should still apply and give reasons why you are applying after 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 Permission 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 living here before December 2020, 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.

In certain circumstances, we can also help you bring non-EEA family members to the UK 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.