EU Settled status in the UK ( apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you and your family might be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. You might also be able to apply if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland.

The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. This deadline does not apply if you already have pre-settled status and you’re applying for settled status.

If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you can still apply if you or a family member were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You must also either:

·      meet one of the criteria for a later deadline to apply

·      have ‘reasonable grounds’ for why you’re applying now, and not by the deadline or in the time since the deadline passed

If you already have pre-settled status

·      You can usually apply for settled status once you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply.

·      You’ll need to make a new application to the scheme to switch from pre-settled status to settled status. If you do not do this, the Home Office will extend your pre-settled status by 2 years just before it’s due to expire.

·      They may cancel the extension if they think you no longer meet the requirements for it, for example because you’ve been outside the UK for more than 6 months in a 12 month period. There are some exceptions. Check how long you can spend outside the UK without losing your continuos residence.

·      Settled status gives you proof that you have the right to live in the UK permanently. You can usually apply for British citizenship once you’ve had settled status for 12 months.

If you have not yet applied to the EU Settlement Scheme

Your rights in the UK are not protected unless you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and received a certificate of application.

This means you cannot:

·      access benefits and services (including free NHS healthcare)

·      work or study in the UK

·      rent a property in England

If you’re a joining family member

·      If you are a joining family member, your rights will automatically be protected for 90 days from the date of your arrival in the UK.

·      After 90 days, your automatic temporary protection will end. You’ll need to prove that you’ve submitted an application to continue to access your rights in the UK.

·      If you arrive in the UK illegally your application will be rejected.

If you are an EU citizen or a family member and want to live permanently in the UK please get in touch with us, by email: info@rodriguezlaw.co.uk or by phone: +44 7458 366159.