Settled status
Settled status (UK)
Settled status — the permanent status in the UK for EU citizens and their families, granting the right to live and work indefinitely.
- What it is
- Settled status — a permanent status in the United Kingdom for EU citizens
- Who it is for
- EU citizens and their families who lived in the UK before Brexit
- What it gives
- The right to live and work in the United Kingdom indefinitely
- Context
- Introduced by the EU Settlement Scheme after Brexit
- Keep in mind
- A special status, not to be confused with an ordinary residence permit
In plain words
Settled status is an immigration status in the United Kingdom introduced after Brexit specifically for citizens of the European Union and their families who lived in the country before the UK left the EU. It came about under the EU Settlement Scheme to preserve the rights of millions of Europeans already settled in the UK.
A holder of settled status can live, work, study and use services in the United Kingdom indefinitely, and can, as a rule, leave and return without losing the status within set limits. Those who had lived in the country for less than the required period at the time of applying were given an intermediate pre-settled status, which can later be converted to full settled status.
It is a highly specialised status tied to a particular historical situation — Brexit — and a category of people (EU citizens and their family members). It should not be confused with the ordinary visas and residence permits available to new applicants today. For those covered by the scheme, settled status is a solid basis for continued residence and a path to British citizenship.
Who settled status concerns
What matters about settled status
- EU citizens
- Their families
- Who lived in the UK before Brexit
- Indefinite residence
- The right to work and study
- Leaving and returning
- EU Settlement Scheme
- Arose after Brexit
- Pre-settled as a step
- A highly specialised status
- Not an ordinary residence permit
- Path to citizenship
How the status works
- 01Living in the UK before Brexit
- 02Applying under the EU Settlement Scheme
- 03Pre-settled or settled
- 04Conversion to full settled
- 05Path to citizenship
What you need to know
- Settled status is a permanent UK status for EU citizens
- It was introduced after Brexit under the EU Settlement Scheme
- It gives the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely
- Pre-settled status is an intermediate step towards it
- It is a special status, not an ordinary visa or residence permit
Common mistakes
- Confusing settled status with ordinary visas for new applicants
- Not converting pre-settled to full settled status in time
- Allowing a long absence and putting the status at risk
- Assuming the scheme is open to all foreigners today
- Not planning the move to citizenship
What this means for a BRIDGES client
For those covered by the EU Settlement Scheme, we help obtain and keep the status correctly, convert pre-settled to full settled in time and plan the path to British citizenship. For those not covered by the scheme, we explain this frankly and choose current visa routes to the UK.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is settled status?
A permanent status in the United Kingdom for EU citizens and their families, introduced after Brexit under the EU Settlement Scheme. It gives the right to live and work in the country indefinitely.
02 /Who is it available to?
Mainly EU citizens and their family members who lived in the United Kingdom before the country left the EU. It is a highly specialised status, not a general visa.
03 /What is pre-settled status?
An intermediate status for those who, at the time of applying, had lived in the country for less than the required period. It can be converted to full settled status as the period is accumulated.
04 /Does the status lead to citizenship?
Yes, settled status is a solid basis for continued residence and a path to British citizenship, subject to the conditions.
05 /Can it be obtained for the first time now?
The scheme is tied to the Brexit situation and particular deadlines. New applicants today are usually suited to other visa routes — we choose a current option.
06 /Can settled status be lost?
Yes, for example through a long continuous absence from the country. It is important to observe the presence rules to keep the status.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Status in the UK after Brexit?
We will help obtain and keep settled status or choose a current visa route to the UK — with citizenship in view.