The scheme allows those who are eligible to be granted pre-settled or settled status, depending on the length of time they have been resident in the UK. The scheme is not applicable for Irish Nationals please see UK government website for information about the rights of Irish nationals.
The scheme closed on 31st June 2021, if you should have applied but missed this deadline please contact IAG for more information.
What are the different statuses
- Settled Status: If you have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period when you applied, with no absence of longer than six months in any 12-month period, or one period of up to 12 months in certain circumstances such as a Study Abroad; you should have been granted Settled Status
- Pre-Settled Status: If you have lived in the UK for less than five years at the time you applied, with no absence of longer than six months in any 12-month period, or one period of up to 12 months in certain circumstances such as a Study Abroad; you will be granted Pre-Settled Status.
For information about the definition of a ‘continuous qualifying period’ for residency please see the immigration rules, Appendix EU annex 1 - definitions “continuous qualifying period”.
If granted settled status you can stay in the UK as long as you like and if you wish you can apply for British citizenship after one year of holding settled status. You can spend up to five years in a row outside the UK without losing your status.
If granted pre-settled status, you can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status. You can apply to change to settled status after five years of continuous residence in the UK. You can spend up to two years outside the UK without losing your pre-settled status. If you wish to change to settled status in the future, you must maintain your ‘continuous residence' in the UK for the full five-year qualifying period; please refer to the immigration rules, Appendix EU annexe 1 - definitions “continuous qualifying period” for details of continuous residence.
When granted settled or pre-settled status you will be able to work, study, use the NHS and access public funds.
Non-EEA/Swiss Family members
Non-EEA family members are also eligible to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. There are many variations on who is defined as an eligible family member of an EEA/Swiss national, for more information please see the UK Government webpage.
The UK Home Office advises that family members are likely to get a quicker decision if they apply at the same time as the EEA/Swiss national. The applications can be linked using the application numbers created.
Further help and advice
Please read the information on the UK government webpage regarding the EU Settlement scheme.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs has useful information about the scheme online.
Speak to a International Advice and Guidance advisor
If you are unable to find an answer to your query on our web pages email iagteam@liverpool.ac.uk or book an online confidential one-one appointment.