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EU Settlement Scheme
United KingdomUnited Kingdom•Europe
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EU Settlement Scheme

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 6 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,000
Quality of Life
174/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members to continue living in the UK.

The EU Settlement Scheme lets EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Swiss nationals — and their qualifying family members — secure UK residency rights after Brexit. Applicants must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020. Free to apply — no language test or Life in the UK Test.

Settled status (equivalent to ILR) gives permanent residence; pre-settled status gives 5 years, automatically extended if not yet upgraded. Both grant immediate right to work. Settled status holders can apply for British citizenship and may be absent up to 5 consecutive years without losing status.

This visa is ideal for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals — and their non-EU family members — who were living in the UK before January 2021 and want to protect their long-term residence rights.

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Explore Guide

Processing Time

Standard (straightforward)2 weeks – 1 month
Additional documentation/checks1–3 months
Complex (criminal record, paper application)3–6 months

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Eligible Nationalities (31)

AustriaAustriaBelgiumBelgiumBulgariaBulgariaCroatiaCroatiaCyprusCyprusCzechiaCzechiaDenmarkDenmarkEstoniaEstoniaFinlandFinlandFranceFranceGermanyGermanyGreeceGreeceHungaryHungaryIcelandIcelandIrelandIrelandItalyItalyLatviaLatviaLiechtensteinLiechtensteinLithuaniaLithuaniaLuxembourgLuxembourgMaltaMaltaNetherlandsNetherlandsNorwayNorwayPolandPoland

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or Swiss national — OR family member of one

Started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 (primary applicants)

Family members of settled/pre-settled status holders may apply within 90 days of first UK arrival

Late applications require demonstrating 'reasonable grounds' (e.g. serious medical condition, domestic abuse, lack of mental capacity)

Must not be a British or Irish citizen (no application needed for these groups)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or national identity card with biometric chip (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)

Valid passport or UK-issued biometric residence card/permit for non-EU family members

Digital photo of face

National Insurance number (triggers automated residence check)

Proof of continuous UK residence if automated check is insufficient (payslips, bank statements, tenancy agreements, official letters)

Family relationship certificates (birth, marriage, civil partnership) for family member applications

Evidence of qualifying family member's settled/pre-settled status

Evidence of reasonable grounds for late application (if applicable)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Completely free to apply — no fee under any circumstances
  • No language test required
  • No Life in the UK Test required
  • Settled status is equivalent to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — permanent residence
  • Right to work in the UK without restriction from day of application
  • Certificate of application issued immediately on submission, usable as proof of rights while awaiting decision
  • Pre-settled status can be upgraded to settled status after 5 continuous years of UK residence
  • Settled status holders can apply for British citizenship
  • Covers non-EU family members of qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

Worth Knowing

  • Primary deadline was 30 June 2021 — late applications require demonstrating reasonable grounds
  • Pre-settled status is temporary and must be actively upgraded; absence of more than 5 years from the UK causes automatic loss
  • Settled status holders may be absent up to 5 consecutive years (4 years for Swiss nationals) without losing status
  • Children born after 1 April 2021 have only 90 days from birth/adoption to apply
  • Criminal convictions must be declared; serious crimes assessed on case-by-case basis
  • Physical identity documents are returned after decision, typically within 6–8 weeks
  • Status is digital (eVisa only) — proof is via share code from UKVI online account

Application Process

1

Check qualification at gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

2

Gather identity documents (passport or biometric national ID card) and evidence of UK residence

3

Apply online via UKVI portal using a laptop, Android, or iPhone

4

Use the EU Exit

ID Document Check app to scan biometric chip on identity document

5

Provide National Insurance number to trigger automated HMRC/DWP residence checks

6

Declare any criminal convictions (required for all applicants aged 18+)

7

Submit application and receive certificate of application by email (usable immediately to prove right to work/rent/benefits)

8

Await decision by email or post; access digital eVisa (share code) via UKVI account

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Online application at apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/euss
Online application via UKVI EU Settlement Scheme portal
Fill online
Paper application form available on request
Paper application form (available on request from UKVI)
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