Automatic upgrades to settled status

Since early 2025, the Home Office has been upgrading some pre-settled status holders to settled status automatically.

By 30 June 2026, there had been 115,770 people (see our statistics page for more data) who received an automatic upgrade to settled status.

It is important to understand the limitations of who can be automatically upgraded, and when.

If you qualify for settled status, you should apply for it as soon as you can, as settled status is a less precarious form of immigration leave.

Important information about being automatically upgraded to settled status

⚠️ It used to be the case that people were only considered for an automated upgrade to settled status around six weeks before their pre-settled is set to expire. This can now happen much sooner, see our webpage describing 'Phase 3' automation for more details.

⚠️ Not everyone with pre-settled status can benefit from automatic upgrades. They are only for EEA/Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK by 31st December 2020, and where HMRC/DWP tax and benefit data, or Home Office travel data, shows that they have been in the UK for at least 30 months in the last 60 months.

The following groups are not eligible for automated upgrades to settled status (see our webpage on Phase 3 automation for more detail):

• Non-EEA family members.
• Family members of any nationality who arrived in the UK on or after 1st January 2021.
• Children under the age of 18.
• People who have pre-settled status as someone with ‘derivative rights’ or ‘retained rights’.
• Those granted pre-settled status who later obtained another UK immigration status.

What information is considered to determine if you can be upgraded to settled status?

To check whether they hold enough data about you to upgrade you to settled status, the Home Office will look at tax (HMRC) and benefits (DWP) information they hold about you. This is done through the National Insurance number you’ve provided.

They are looking for evidence of your residence for at least 30 months in the last 60 months. Before April 2026, the system was not adjusted to the latest absence rules for the EU Settlement Scheme, and was looking for at least 6 months in any 12 months in your qualifying period. 

However, on 9 April 2026, the automated upgrade system was changed to work on the new rules. See the Home Office announcement of 9 April: EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status automation update. This new process has also started to remove pre-settled status from people where the Home Office believes people have left the UK for long periods. See our webpage on Phase 3 automation for all the details, including the ‘minded to curtail’ process.

What happens if not enough information is found to show that you qualify for settled status?

There are many reasons why you might qualify for settled status, but not be upgraded through the automatic system.

If you’re not automatically upgraded, it does not mean you don’t qualify if you make an application and provide proof of residence to the Home Office.

You should receive an automatic five year extension to your pre-settled status, if the Home Office can’t grant you settled status automatically.

However, after extending your pre-settled status, the Home Office can then send you a ‘minded to curtail’ letter if they think you have been out of the UK for too long - see our webpage on Phase 3 automation for all the details.