Updated
GL-S-02
Glossary · Statuses, passports, travel
Settled status - permanent UK status for EU citizens after Brexit
Settled status — the permanent status in the UK for EU citizens and their families, granting the right to live and work indefinitely.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- 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
02 / In plain words
What Settled status means
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.
A case from practice
An EU citizen lived in the United Kingdom before Brexit and received pre-settled status. As they accumulate the required period of residence, we help convert it to full settled status and then plan an application for British citizenship — preserving all the rights the status gave them.
Who settled status concerns
- EU citizens who lived in the UK before Brexit
- Family members of such citizens
- Preserving rights to live and work
- Converting pre-settled to settled status
- A basis for British citizenship
- Planning status after Brexit
03 / What it covers
What matters about settled status
Who it is for
- EU citizens
- Their families
- Who lived in the UK before Brexit
What it gives
- Indefinite residence
- The right to work and study
- Leaving and returning
Context
- EU Settlement Scheme
- Arose after Brexit
- Pre-settled as a step
Keep in mind
- A highly specialised status
- Not an ordinary residence permit
- Path to citizenship
04 / How it works
How the status works
Living in the UK before Brexit
Living in the UK before it left the EU.
Applying under the EU Settlement Scheme
An application under the scheme for EU citizens and their families.
Pre-settled or settled
The status depends on the length of residence at the time of applying.
Conversion to full settled
Once 5 years are reached, pre-settled is exchanged for settled.
Path to citizenship
With permanent status you can plan for British citizenship.
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01Who it is for
EU citizens and their families
People who lived in the UK before Brexit and applied under the EU Settlement Scheme.
02What it gives
Live and work indefinitely
The right to live, work, study and use services in the UK with no time limit.
03Pre-settled
An intermediate step
Those with less than 5 years' residence when they applied received pre-settled status, leading to full status.
04For new applicants
The scheme is closed to them
This status belongs to the Brexit situation. New applicants use the ordinary visa routes.
Common mistakes
Confusing settled status with ordinary visas
For a new move, choose the current visa routes.
Not moving from pre-settled to full status
Track your residence and apply for settled status as soon as you qualify.
Leaving for a long time and risking the status
Check the permitted absences before a long trip.
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
For those covered by the EU Settlement Scheme it is important to obtain the status in time, and for holders of pre-settled status to convert it to full settled status as they accumulate the period of residence, avoiding long absences. The status is then built into a basis for British citizenship. For those not covered by the scheme, current visa routes are chosen.
What we do for you. 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.
Klara RihterBanking compliance and source of funds specialist
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
Yes, settled status is a solid basis for continued residence and a path to British citizenship, subject to the conditions.
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.
Yes, for example through a long continuous absence from the country. It is important to observe the presence rules to keep the status.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
