FAQ
Find information answering your frequently asked questions about the EU Settlement Scheme, applying for and proving your status, travelling in and out of the UK, British citizenship and your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
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How long can I be outside the UK with (pre-) settled status and not lose my status, or the opportunity to apply for settled status?
Until 21 May 2024, it was the case that pre-settled status was lost automatically if you left the UK for a period of 2 consecutive years, whereas with settled status you can be away for 5 years (or…I am an EU citizen, and have started my course at a British university online. What can I do if I do not have settled/pre-settled status and I did not arrive in the UK before 31 December due to the pandemic?
If you are an EU citizen and are studying at a university in the UK already (i.e. you started your course before August 2021), you will be eligible for home fees for the duration of your degree.…What do I need to do if I am an existing EU citizen student, studying in the UK?
If you were in the UK before 31 December 2020, you had until 30 June 2021 to apply for settled/pre-settled status to secure your rights to stay in the UK but you can still apply if you can show that…Are voting rights protected as part of the Withdrawal Agreement?
No. However, EU citizens who lived in the UK before 31 December 2020, and who have pre-settled or settled status, retain their local election voting rights. For EU citizens who arrived on or after 1…What is the situation on pensioners’ rights in the UK? Do you lose access to your pension because of absences?
Part Two of the Withdrawal Agreement is all about citizens’ rights, and it is divided into different ‘Titles’. Title II covers residence rights and conditions that the EU Settlement Scheme must…What happens when my passport expires or I change my details? I have (pre-)settled status.
Your (pre-) settled status remains valid even if it is linked to an expired passport. If you decide to renew your passport, then you are advised to update your passport or identity card details on…How secure is settled status?
We heard many EU citizens applying for British citizenship (see this FAQ for costs and benefits) for the reason they do not feel secure with settled…What are the consequences of not applying for settled or pre-settled status?
This answer presumes that you are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (see…Can you continue to work in the UK indefinitely with settled status without applying for citizenship?
Yes. Settled status is a form of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The difference is what happens if you leave the UK for an extended period. If you have settled status, but later decide to work in…Does pre-settled status automatically convert to settled status?
Following a court case, the Home Office announced in July 2023 that it would be making changes to the EU Settlement Scheme sometime in 2024 to automatically upgrade some people’s pre-settled status…How do I find a good immigration advisor or lawyer for my citizenship application?
There are many organisations and individuals providing advice on citizenship. In the UK, all immigration advice is regulated, so please make sure you go to someone who is qualified to give you advice…Can I apply for British citizenship and still keep my EU passport / nationality?
It depends on your EU country of citizenship. Some countries, such as The Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia, have restrictions on dual citizenship.…Do I really need to become British? What are the benefits of British citizenship?
Settled status is Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the EU Settlement Scheme, which allows you to live indefinitely in the UK without immigration restrictions. However, you lose your settled…My children were born in the UK, are they British?
There are three main categories of British citizens: those who are automatically British by birth, those who can apply for registration as a British citizen and those who can apply for naturalisation…What is the qualifying period for residence for citizenship applications?
It’s 5 years unless you are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen in which case it is 3 years. If you are not married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you also…What does it mean to be self-sufficient?
STOP PRESS - See this FAQ for important information on Comprehensive Sickness Insurance. Recent developments will likely affect many areas including…Why does being ‘lawfully resident’ matter?
Those wishing to become British citizens by naturalisation will need to show that they were lawfully resident for a period of time in the UK. If you were not lawfully resident, your application to…Do you need Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI) for settled status?
No. To apply for pre-settled or settled status, you do not need to demonstrate that you are in one of the EU free movement ‘qualified person’ categories (worker, self-employed, jobseeker,…How does CSI (Comprehensive Sickness Insurance) relate to being lawfully resident?
STOP PRESS - See this FAQ for important information on Comprehensive Sickness Insurance. Recent developments will likely affect many areas including…questions about your rights? Learn more