EU Settlement Scheme — settled status

settled status, usually where you’ve lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period

You’ll have the right to live in the UK permanently if you have settled status.

You’ll also be able to apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible.

You may be eligible for settled status before you have 5 years’ continuous residence. This would be, for example, if you’re the child of someone with settled status, or

You must have 5 years’ continuous residence. If you are applying for the first time, this means you’ve been in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12-month period. Check the requirements if you move from pre-settled status to settled status . You’ll need to show that you - or your family member from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein - were living in the UK by 31 December 2020

this means you’ve been in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12-month period.

If you arrived in the UK by 31 December 2020 You can give your National Insurance number to allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain benefit records. The Home Office can also access travel information.

this means you’ve been in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12-month period.

When you can be outside the UK for more than 6 months There are some absences of more than 6 months in a 12-month period that will not count as a break in your continuous residence, which are: one period of up to 12 months for an important reason - for example, childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training, an overseas work posting or because of coronavirus (COVID-19) compulsory military service of any length time you spent abroad as a Crown servant, or as the family member of a Crown servant time you spent abroad in the armed forces, or as the family member of someone in the armed forces working in the UK marine area

5. Convert pre-settled status to settled status You must have 5 years’ continuous residence. You may be eligible to convert to settled status as long as you’ve not been outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for more than either: 30 months (2.5 years) in the last 5 years

It’s free to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

4. What you'll need to apply If you are from the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 - or you’re applying to join or remain with your family member who did - you’ll need evidence to prove your: identity continuous residence in the UK and (unless you’re applying to join a family member) that it started by 31 December 2020 relationship to your family member, and their eligibility or status under the EU Settlement Scheme, if you’re applying to join or remain with them in the UK

You’ll still be eligible for settled or pre-settled status if you’ve only been convicted of a minor crime. If you have other convictions, you may still get settled or pre-settled. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Spending time outside the UK if you have settled status You can spend up to 5 years in a row outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man without losing your status. If you enter the UK for any amount of time during that 5 years, you’ll then be able to spend up to 5 more years outside the UK. If you’re a Swiss citizen, you and your family members can spend up to 4 years in a row outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man without losing your settled status. Your family members do not have to be Swiss citizens.

If you lose your settled or pre-settled status You’ll usually need to apply for a visa to live and work in the UK