Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)

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Switch from pre-settled status to settled status

If you have pre-settled status, you can usually switch to settled status after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply.

It’s easier to prove your right to live in the UK permanently if you have settled status.

You can usually apply for British citizenship once you’ve had settled status for 12 months.

If you do not switch to settled status, your pre-settled status will be extended by 5 years shortly before it’s due to expire.

You’ll be sent an email when your status has been updated. You can also check your UKVI account.

The Home Office may cancel the extension if they think you no longer meet the requirements for it, for example because you’ve been outside the UK for more than 6 months in a 12 month period. There are some exceptions. Check how long you can spend outside the UK without losing your continuous residence.

When to switch

You can apply to switch to settled status as soon as you’re eligible. This is usually after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).

The 5 years is counted from the day you started your continuous residence, not the day you were granted pre-settled status.

You may not be eligible for settled status if during the 5 years you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period.

Example

You came to the UK on 2 March 2018 and got pre-settled status on 15 January 2020. You will become eligible to apply for settled status on 2 March 2023, after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years. 

Find out more about continuous residence and if you’re eligible for settled status.

Check the guidance if your continuous residence has been affected by COVID-19, which includes information on when you can be absent from the UK for longer than 6 months.

If you’re not eligible for settled status

If you’re not eligible for settled status because you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period, you’ll keep your pre-settled status.

The Home Office may cancel your pre-settled status if they think you no longer meet the requirements for it, for example because you’ve been outside the UK for more than 6 months in a 12 month period. There are some exceptions. Check how long you can spend outside the UK without losing your continuous residence.

How to switch

You’ll need to apply again to the EU Settlement Scheme and prove you meet the requirements.

This means you’ll need to:

  • prove your identity
  • give evidence of your continuous residence
  • give evidence of your relationship to a family member - if your pre-settled status was based on that relationship

You can use the same types of evidence you used to apply for pre-settled status.

You’ll need to use your current identity document - you must tell UKVI if it’s changed since you applied for pre-settled status.

If your identity document has changed since you applied for pre-settled status

When you applied for pre-settled status, you will have created a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. You must update your UKVI account with the details of your new identity document before you can apply to switch to settled status.

You cannot update your identity document in the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app.

Apply to switch your status

You must update your UKVI account before you apply if your identity document has changed since you applied for pre-settled status.

Select ‘Prove your identity’ to start your application if your identity details are up to date.

Start now

After you’ve applied

If your application is successful, a letter will be emailed to you confirming your status.

If you’re given settled status

You can stay in the UK as long as you like. You’ll usually be able to apply for citizenship 12 months after you’ve got settled status.

If you keep your pre-settled status

You can reapply for settled status after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’). You must not have spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period.

Find out what to do if you think the decision should have been different.

You’ll have the right to live in the UK permanently if you have settled status. You might also have the right to live in the UK permanently without applying for settled status if you can show that:

  • you have pre-settled status

  • you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 (or you’re their family member)

  • you’ve spent five years in the UK and in that time you’ve been working (or looking for work for up to 3 months), studying or you’re self-sufficient

However, if you get settled status, it will be easier to prove your right to live in the UK permanently.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Stay in the UK ('settled status'): step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

    You may need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK.

    1. Check if you need to apply

  2. Step 2 Find out what status you’ll get

    You’ll get settled or pre-settled status depending on how long you’ve been living in the UK. This might affect when you choose to apply.

    1. Find out what you’ll get

  3. Step 3 Check what you’ll need to apply

    1. What you'll need to apply

    Check what you need to do if:

  4. Step 4 Apply

    The deadline for applying for most people was 30 June 2021.

    1. Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

  5. Step 5 After you've applied

    1. What happens after you’ve applied