Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (Settled and Pre-Settled Status)
Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to secure your right to stay in the UK. Whether you need settled status or pre-settled status, AB Immigration Advisors can prepare your application, handle supporting evidence, and manage complex or late submissions.
Alexander Boyd UK Immigration Advisers
Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (Settled and Pre-Settled Status)
The EU Settlement Scheme allows EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens – and their family members – to continue living legally in the UK after Brexit. It provides two types of immigration status: settled status for those who have lived in the UK continuously for at least five years, and pre-settled status for those who arrived before 31 December 2020 but have not yet reached five years of residence. Both give the right to live, work, and study in the UK.
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Who Can Apply
You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if you meet one of the following:
- You are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
- You are a non-EU family member of an eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.
- You are making a late application with reasonable grounds for missing the original deadline of 30 June 2021 (for example, due to illness, lack of awareness, or exceptional circumstances).
If you arrived after 31 December 2020, you can only apply if you are a joining family member of someone with pre-settled or settled status.
What You’ll Get
Applicants are granted one of two statuses depending on their period of residence:
Settled Status
Granted to applicants who can show five years of continuous residence in the UK. It provides indefinite permission to live, work, and study in the UK, and allows absences of up to five consecutive years (four years for Swiss citizens) without losing status.
Pre-Settled Status
Granted to those who began living in the UK by 31 December 2020 but have not yet completed five years of continuous residence. It provides a five-year residence period, during which the person can live, work, and study in the UK and access healthcare.
Both statuses allow access to:
- Employment and self-employment
- NHS healthcare
- Education and study
- Public funds (if eligible)
- Travel in and out of the UK
Evidence You’ll Need to Apply
When applying to the EU Settlement Scheme, you must provide:
- Proof of identity – a valid passport, national ID card, or biometric residence card.
- Proof of residence – evidence showing when you began living in the UK and, if applicable, proof of five years’ continuous residence.
- Evidence of family relationship – if applying as a family member.
- Evidence of reasonable grounds – if applying late, such as documents showing medical or practical reasons for delay.
How to Apply
Applications are made online via the UK Government website. You will need to:
- Prove your identity using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app (available on Android and iPhone 7 or later) or by sending your documents by post.
- Upload evidence of residence, where required.
- Complete the online form and submit it directly to the Home Office.
There is no application fee and no Immigration Health Surcharge for EUSS applications.
Converting Pre-Settled to Settled Status
If you have pre-settled status, you can apply for settled status once you’ve completed five continuous years of residence in the UK.
- Absences of up to six months in any 12-month period will not break residence.
- One absence of up to 12 months for an important reason (e.g. study, illness, or work posting) is also allowed.
You must apply for settled status before your pre-settled status expires to remain lawfully in the UK.
Applying for Family Members
Eligible family members can apply to join or remain with you in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme if:
- The relationship existed before 31 December 2020, and continues to exist when applying.
- You already hold pre-settled or settled status.
Children born or adopted after 31 December 2020 are also eligible if their parent holds pre-settled or settled status.
Swiss nationals can bring a spouse or civil partner to the UK until 31 December 2025 if the relationship began between 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2025.
Application Processing and Decision
Most EU Settlement Scheme applications are processed within five working days, though complex or late cases may take longer.
Successful applicants receive digital proof of status, accessible through a UKVI online account.
If your application is refused, you may have the right to:
- Request an administrative review, or
- Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).
How We Can Help
AB Immigration Advisors assist EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, and their family members, in applying for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
We prepare complete applications, manage supporting evidence, and handle late or complex cases where reasonable grounds must be demonstrated.
Book a consultation or purchase your EU Settlement Scheme application package for £899.
FAQ
Frequently Asked UK Business Visa Questions
- General Rule: It is typically not possible to switch from a Standard Visitor visa (which includes business visits) to another visa category from within the UK. Applicants usually need to return to their home country to apply for a different type of visa.
- Exceptions: In very specific circumstances and with certain visa types, there may be exceptions. Always consult the latest UK government immigration advice or a legal expert for your specific situation.
- Rights of Appeal: Not all visa refusals carry the right to appeal. Whether you can appeal a decision depends on the grounds of refusal and the type of visa applied for.
- Administrative Review: If you believe there has been an error in the decision-making process, you can request an administrative review, where another officer will review your application.
- Advice: We can help you understand your options and the best course of action following a refusal. Not all visa refusals carry the right to appeal. Whether you can appeal a decision depends on the grounds of refusal and the type of visa applied for.
- Administrative Review: If you believe there has been an error in the decision-making process, you can request an administrative review, where another officer will review your application.
- Legal Advice: Consider seeking advice from an immigration lawyer to understand your options and the best course of action following a refusal.
- Complete Applications: Ensure all sections of the application form are completed accurately and fully. Incomplete applications can lead to delays or refusals.
- Supporting Documents: Submit all required supporting documents as specified for your visa category. Clear, well-organised, and relevant documentation can significantly impact the outcome.
- Financial Evidence: Provide clear evidence of your financial ability to support your stay in the UK, including bank statements and, if applicable, proof of business funding.
- Follow Guidelines: Adhere strictly to the guidelines provided by the UK government for your specific visa type, including any restrictions on activities you can undertake in the UK.
- Consult Experts: Consider consulting with an immigration expert like Alexander Boyd, especially for more complex visa applications or if you’re facing unique circumstances.
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As you embark on your journey towards UK immigration, our team is dedicated to guiding you through every step with expertise and attentiveness. Below are our unwavering guarantees, ensuring a seamless, supportive experience tailored to your unique needs:
- 24-hour response guarantee for all visa and immigration queries.
- Regulated expert advice on UK visa and immigration issues.
- High success rates for all UK visa and immigration applications.
- Appeal support in the every unlikely event of application refusals.
- Transparent, ethical service with clear fee structure.