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LawSentis is a Level 3 IAA immigration specialist providing clear, practical support across UK visas and ILR/citizenship, asylum and human rights protection, family and student/work routes, sponsorship licences, and Innovator Founder visas with business plan preparation. We combine legal precision with hands-on case management to maximise success and reduce delays. Book a free consultation to discuss your case today.

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EU Settled Status

  • Innovator Founder Visa
  • Sponsorship Licence
  • Self-Sponsorship Visa
  • Skilled Worker Visa
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
  • EU Settled Status
  • Visa Processing
  • UK Ancestry Visa
  • Family Permit EU
  • Family Member Visas
  • Translation and Apostille
First British Passport
Indefinite Leave to Remain
10 Years Lawful Route
EU Settled Status

EU Settled Status

If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, or a close family member, living in the UK by December 31, 2020, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) offers a path to legal status that allows you to remain permanently. This guide dives deep into what Settled and Pre‑Settled Status is, how to apply or upgrade in 2025, your rights, the shift toward citizenship, and how LawSentis can support you from start to finish.

Understanding the Basics: Settled vs Pre Settled Status

What is Pre Settled Status?

Pre‑Settled Status is a temporary immigration status for those who, by the end of 2020, had lived in the UK for less than five years. It’s valid for five years and acts as a bridge until you qualify for full settlement.

During this time, you can:

  • Live and work in the UK
  • Access the NHS, public services, and education
  • Travel freely, as long as you don't exceed absence limits
  • Eventually convert to Settled Status once you complete five years of continuous residence

However, Pre‑Settled Status comes with limitations. Most importantly, you cannot access full public funds unless you meet additional criteria, and you must apply to upgrade once eligible.

What is Settled Status?

Settled Status grants Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—no time limits, no renewals. Once you have settled status, you can:

  • Do everything Pre Settled holders can do—live, work, study—without restrictions
  • Access all public funds (benefits, housing support, etc.)
  • Travel freely from the UK without worrying about expiring visas
  • Apply for British citizenship 12 months after obtaining settled status (if other requirements are met)

If you’re married to a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship immediately after being granted settled status, which is a significant advantage.

The EU Settlement Scheme: A Post-Brexit Gateway

We assist you through every stage of setting up your UK company, starting with registering your business with Companies House and ensuring all legal requirements are met. Our team advises on the most suitable tax registrations — such as VAT and Corporation Tax — depending on the nature and scale of your operations. We help you select the correct business activities by choosing the right Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, ensuring compliance and clarity for both the Home Office and HMRC.

Why Exist?

Before Brexit, EU nationals had the automatic right to live and work in the UK. Post-Brexit, those rights were no longer guaranteed. The EU Settlement Scheme ensures that those who were already in the UK by 2020 could apply for legal status to stay indefinitely.

How It Works

  • No application fee at any stage—applying is free
  • You apply online through a UK government portal
  • You use an ID Document Check app to verify identity
  • You upload evidence of residence (bank statements, bills, employment documents)
  • The Home Office makes a decision based on eligibility and documentation quality

Extended Deadlines and “Reasonable Grounds”

Although the formal deadline closed on June 30, 2021, the Home Office accepts late applications if you can demonstrate reasonable grounds—such as serious illness, family obligations, or lack of access to digital assistance.

Recent Updates You Must Know (July 2025)

The scheme has evolved to accommodate modern migration patterns and to make settlement easier for mobile individuals.

New 30-Month Rule

Previously, you needed five continuous years of residence, with no single absence exceeding six months. Now, if you have spent at least 30 months in the UK over the past five years, you’re eligible for Settled Status—even with longer breaks abroad.

This change recognizes people who travel frequently for work, education, or family reasons, and makes it much more accessible to meet the eligibility timeline.

Automatic Upgrades

Pre‑Settled holders are now being auto-upgraded to Settled Status once they meet the residence criteria. However, you still must verify your identity online and confirm current details.

Automatic Extensions

Pre‑Settled Status holders no longer need to reapply near expiry—they receive automatic 5-year extensions until upgraded to Settled Status.

Who Should Be Applying in 2025?

Residual groups still need to address their status as the scheme matures:

Pre Settled Status Holders

If you already have Pre‑Settled Status and now qualify (either via the original five-year continuity or via the 30-month rule), you should:

  • Expect an automatic upgrade, but confirm manually
  • If no upgrade is provided, submit your own application promptly

Individuals Who Missed the Deadline

You can still make a late application if:

  • You arrived in the UK before 31 Dec 2020
  • You have documented reasons for missing the deadline (medical, familial, digital reasons, etc.)
  • Apply and provide evidence—local organisations and law centres can advise on what counts as reasonable grounds

New Family Member Arrivals

Spouses, children under 21, dependent relatives, or partners of settlement status holders may still come to the UK using an EUSS Family Permit, even in 2025

Upon entry, they must apply for Settled or Pre‑Settled Status within three months of arrival.

The Application Process

Here is a tailored walkthrough of each key stage:

Verify Your Eligibility

  • Confirm you were living in the UK by 31 Dec 2020
  • Identify which status is right—even if you haven’t reached 5 years, you may qualify under 30-month rule

Gather Evidence

You need to show at least 30 months or 5 years of UK presence:

Include items such as:

  • Bank and credit card statements
  • Utility and council tax bills
  • Payslips, employment contracts
  • University enrollment letters
  • Rental agreements or mortgage documents
  • Pension statements, GP/hospital appointment letters

Identity Verification

Use the ID Document Check app to scan your passport or national ID and take a selfie. This verifies your identity and biometrics digitally.

Fill Out the Application

Online questions include:

  • Nationality, date of birth, and personal details
  • Whether you hold Pre Settled or Settled Status already
  • Travel history since arriving in the UK
  • Family member details, if applying jointly

Submit and Await Decision

  • Applications typically take a few weeks, but complex cases may take several months
  • Watch your email for updates or requests for more documentation

Proof of Residence: What’s Accepted and What’s Not

Your application stands or falls on strong evidence. Here’s what works best:

Strong Evidence

  • Payslips showing continuous employment
  • Employment letters confirming start and end dates
  • Bank statements showing regular UK transactions
  • Utility bills with your name and UK address spanning multiple years
  • Council tax notifications
  • GP or dentist registration letters, prescription receipts

Moderate-Proof

  • Letters from schools or colleges
  • Text messages, appointment confirmations
  • Social media check-ins (only supplemental—not primary evidence)

Weak or Unreliable

  • Short-duration bills or receipts
  • Frequent gaps with low frequency documents
  • Evidence from outside the 6-year window

Travel History and Absence Limits

Although the six-month single absence rule still applies to Pre‑Settled holders, Settled Status applicants (under the new rule) can have absences as long as total 30-month residency is met.

Important to track:

  • Exact arrival and departure dates
  • Passports with stamps
  • Boarding passes and travel itineraries

You must maintain these records if the Home Office requests them during application review.

Post-Application: What to Expect

After submission:

  • Await initial approval email
  • Await status update and ability to generate a government share code
  • Use the share code to provide official confirmation to employers, banks, healthcare providers, and landlords

If refused:

  • You may get a formal refusal letter—you have 28 days to request an administrative review
  • Appeals are restricted; you can challenge only on specific legal grounds

Travel, Absences, and Permanence

Once settled, you:

  • Can be outside the UK for up to 5 consecutive years without losing status
  • But avoiding long absences is wise for future citizenship or residency

For Pre‑Settled individuals:

  • Absences over 6 months in any year may jeopardize eligibility for settlement. Always track absences.

Transitioning from Settled Status to British Citizenship

After Settled Status:

  • Wait 12 months (unless married to a citizen)
  • Meet residence requirements: 5 years in the UK, ≤450 days absent
  • Pass the Life in the UK Test
  • Demonstrate B2 English
  • Show good character and ongoing UK residency
  • Apply for citizenship, pay fee, attend ceremony

Once citizenship is granted, you become a dual national (if your country allows) and gain the full rights of a British citizen.

Fees (2025): £1,735 for adults, £1,214 for children under 18. If a child turns 18 during the process, a £130 ceremony fee applies

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Issue: No Automatic Upgrade

  • Check manually using your share code
  • If status isn’t upgraded, apply immediately
  • Let LawSentis assist with verifying eligibility

Issue: Gaps in Evidence

  • Gather alternative documents, such as appointment letters, membership receipts, social networks
  • Consider writing a personal statement explaining gaps

Issue: Late Application with No Reason

  • Frame a persuasive explanation—even if your only reason is digital exclusion
  • Small delay is better than no application

Issue: Criminal Records

  • Minor records may not block status
  • Serious offences may disqualify you—seek advice

How LawSentis Supports Your EUSS Journey

At LawSentis, we offer end-to-end support:

A. Personalized Eligibility Review

  • In-depth assessment of your immigration history
  • Advice on whether to proceed via settled, pre-settled, late application, or family permit routes

B. Document Collection and Audit

  • Full audit of your evidence
  • Identification of gaps and assistance in finding alternative documents
  • Organized preparation in compliance with Home Office standards

C. Form Completion & Technical Assistance

  • Step-by-step support with UK Home Office online portal
  • Help with ID app, document upload, share code verification
  • Troubleshooting action during long processes or system errors
FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.

Book a free call back

EU Settled Status is the UK immigration status granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens (and their family members) who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020. It allows them to continue living, working, and studying in the UK after Brexit.

Settled Status: Granted to those who have lived in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years. Pre-Settled Status: Given to those who had not yet completed 5 years but were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. They can later upgrade to Settled Status once 5 years’ residence is completed.

The main deadline to apply was 30 June 2021. However, you may still apply late if you have “reasonable grounds” (for example, serious medical issues, lack of awareness, or children whose parents did not apply for them).

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At LawSentis, we assist with late applications, upgrades from Pre-Settled to Settled Status, and appeals against refusals. Our IAA Level 3 accreditation allows us to handle complex cases, including family reunion, missed deadlines, and human rights-based arguments.

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