Settled status is indefinite leave to remain for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members under the EU Settlement Scheme. You qualify after five years' continuous residence in the UK that started before 31 December 2020, or as the family member of someone who did.

Continuous residence

Five years in a row with no more than six months' absence in any 12-month period, with one longer absence of up to 12 months allowed for an important reason such as pregnancy, serious illness, study or work abroad, and separate allowances for Covid-related absences.

From pre-settled to settled

If you hold pre-settled status you can apply for settled status as soon as you complete five years. Pre-settled status is now extended automatically by five years before it expires, and the Home Office may convert it to settled status automatically where its records show you qualify. Do not rely on automatic conversion if your residence is not obvious from tax and benefit records; an application with evidence is safer.

Late applications

The 30 June 2021 deadline has passed, but a late application is accepted where there are reasonable grounds for the delay. The Home Office's view of reasonable grounds has narrowed since 2023, so a late application needs a clear explanation and evidence. Joining family members and children have their own deadlines.

What settled status gives you

The right to live, work and study in the UK without limit, access to the NHS and public funds, and the ability to apply for British citizenship after twelve months (immediately if married to a British citizen). It is lost after five years' continuous absence.

Fees

The scheme is free. Our fixed fee is on our fees page.

What we do

We assess the residence history, deal with late-application reasons, gather evidence where Home Office records are incomplete, and challenge refusals by administrative review or appeal.