EU Settlement Scheme — United Kingdom

You qualify based on your nationality, your residence in the UK by 31 December 2020, or your relationship to an eligible person. UKVI decides whether you receive settled or pre-settled status.

Eligible nationalities & dates

You can apply if you’re a national of:

• An EU country
• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein

You must have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020.

You may also qualify if you’re the family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland.

Eligibility depends on your residence in the UK before the end of the transition period. If you weren’t living in the UK by that date, you generally can’t qualify on your own residence alone.

If you’re coming to the UK for another purpose—study, business, or marriage—a different visa may apply. For example, a Marriage Visitor visa, Spouse or Partner Visa, Child Visa, or UK Ancestry Visa might be the right route.

Check which scheme or visa applies to you before submitting an application to UKVI.

Family members & joining relatives

You can apply if you’re a family member of an eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.

You may also qualify as a joining family member, even if you arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020.

Eligible applicants include:

• Family members of qualifying EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens
• Family members of an eligible person of Northern Ireland
• Joining family members who meet relationship requirements

Your relationship must be genuine and meet the scheme rules. UKVI will assess whether your connection to the qualifying person existed in line with the requirements.

If you’re outside the UK and joining an eligible family member, you may need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit before travelling.

If you don’t qualify under these family rules, you may need to apply under another route, such as the Spouse or Partner Visa or Child Visa, depending on your circumstances.

Proof you may need

You must provide evidence to support your application.

UKVI usually expects:

• Proof of residence in the UK by 31 December 2020
• Documents confirming your relationship to a qualifying EU citizen or eligible person of Northern Ireland
• Evidence showing the relationship existed in line with scheme requirements

Examples of evidence include:

• Records showing you lived in the UK before the deadline
• Official documents confirming family relationships

If you apply as a joining family member, you must show both:

1. Your qualifying family relationship

2. That the EU citizen or eligible person meets the scheme requirements

UKVI reviews your documents carefully. If you can’t show residence or a qualifying relationship, your application may be refused.

Your route to British citizenship starts with securing settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. You move from pre-settled status to settled status after meeting the required period of residence, and only then can you consider a future citizenship application with UKVI.

From pre-settled to settled

If you hold pre-settled status, you qualify for settled status once you’ve lived in the UK for five continuous years. You must complete that five-year period before you apply.

You don’t need to wait beyond the date you become eligible. As soon as you reach five years of continuous residence, you can submit your application to UKVI.

Settled status is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the EU Settlement Scheme. UKVI decides your application and confirms your status.

If your family members hold status under the scheme, they follow the same five-year residence requirement before moving from pre-settled to settled status. Those who entered the UK using an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit must also complete the required residence period before applying for settled status.

When you can apply for settled status

You can apply for settled status as soon as you complete five continuous years of residence in the UK.

Before applying, confirm:

• You currently hold pre-settled status
• You have completed five years of continuous residence in the UK
• You apply directly to UKVI

If you’re in the UK under a different route, such as a UK Ancestry Visa, Spouse or Partner Visa, or Child Visa, this section does not change your requirements. Each route has its own rules, and you should check the relevant UKVI guidance before switching or applying under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Next steps after settled status

Once UKVI grants you settled status (ILR under the EU Settlement Scheme), you hold permanent immigration status in the UK. This status forms the foundation for a future citizenship application.

Citizenship has separate eligibility rules and a separate application process handled by UKVI. Review the official citizenship guidance before applying, as requirements differ from those for settled status.

If your dependants plan to apply for citizenship later, each person must first secure their own settled status. Each applicant must meet the requirements individually.

For application forms, eligibility criteria, and document guidance, consult UKVI’s official citizenship pages before you apply.

Seek help when your evidence is weak, your immigration history is complicated, or you are unsure which route fits your situation. Early advice helps avoid delays from missing documents or incorrect information.

Problems proving relationships

You must prove your relationship to the relevant EU family member with clear and consistent documents. UKVI does not assume a relationship exists just because you apply under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Common problems include:

• Missing civil documents
• Inconsistent names or dates across records
• No evidence of ongoing partnership where required
• Submitting partial document sets

If you rely on an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, Spouse or Partner Visa, or Child Visa, your relationship evidence must match the category you choose. Incorrect or incomplete documents often lead to delays.

Double‑check every field before submission. Review UKVI guidance and make sure you include all required documents. If your evidence is limited or unusual, professional advice can help you present it clearly.

Complex or adverse immigration histories

Get advice if you previously overstayed, had a visa refusal, or switched between routes such as a UK Ancestry Visa, Spouse or Partner Visa, or another category before applying.

UKVI reviews your full immigration history. Inconsistencies between past applications and your EU Settlement Scheme application can trigger scrutiny.

Situations that justify legal advice include:

• Previous refusals by UKVI
• Gaps in lawful residence
• Prior applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Conflicting information in earlier visa forms

If you need a Form TB Test Certificate, use a clinic approved for UK visa testing. UKVI does not accept results from non‑approved clinics.

The certificate is valid for 6 months from the test date, so book your appointment carefully to avoid expiry before submission.

Errors in complex cases often cause long delays. Careful review of your documents reduces that risk.

Getting professional advice & tips

You benefit most from advice before you submit your application, not after a refusal. An immigration adviser can review your documents and spot weaknesses.

Focus on these steps:

1. Read UKVI guidance for your specific route.

2. Confirm you selected the correct application category.

3. Gather every required supporting document before submission.

4. Check that all information matches your previous UKVI records.

If your case involves family permits, prior visas, or ILR considerations, tailored advice can clarify your options. Clear preparation and accurate documentation give UKVI fewer reasons to question your application.

You do not pay a fee to apply under the UK EU Settlement Scheme, but you still need to understand how UKVI handles decisions and when costs may arise in related applications. processing times vary, and other routes such as a Spouse or Partner Visa or UK Ancestry Visa follow different fee structures.

Application fees

UKVI does not charge a fee to apply under the UK EU Settlement Scheme.

This applies whether you apply for pre-settled status or settled status, which leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the scheme.

Related applications may involve fees, such as:

• EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
• Spouse or Partner Visa
• Child Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa

UKVI sets separate charges for those routes. Always check the UKVI fee list or fee calculator for current amounts before you apply.

You may also face indirect costs, like certified translations or a Form TB Test Certificate if required for a different visa category.

Typical processing windows

UKVI does not publish a fixed processing timeframe for every EU Settlement Scheme application.

Processing time depends on:

• The completeness of your application
• The evidence you provide
• Whether UKVI needs additional information
• Your immigration history

Straightforward applications with clear identity and residence evidence generally move faster. Cases requiring further checks take longer.

If you apply from outside the UK using an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, processing times differ from in-country applications. UKVI publishes current timelines in its guidance.

You cannot pay to expedite an EU Settlement Scheme application unless UKVI specifically offers that option at the time of filing.

Refunds & fee exemptions

Because the application fee is £0, you do not need a fee waiver for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Refunds usually arise only if you paid for:

• A related visa route by mistake
• An application you later withdrew
• A service not used

UKVI assesses refunds under its published policy. You must request any refund through the method set out by UKVI.

Fee exemptions under the EU Settlement Scheme are simple: no applicant pays a UKVI fee for the core application. This is different from routes such as a Spouse or Partner Visa or UK Ancestry Visa, where standard fees apply and exemptions are limited.