EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) protects the UK residence rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens — and their eligible family members — who were living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. The main application deadline was 30 June 2021, but the scheme has never fully closed: it remains open to late applicants who can show reasonable grounds for missing that deadline, to joining family members, and increasingly to people upgrading from pre-settled to settled status. Whether you missed the original deadline entirely, need to move from pre-settled to settled status, or are facing a Home Office query about your residence history, our advisor can help you resolve it.
A late application requires assessment of the applicable deadline and the grounds for delay. We consider whether the matter falls within the IAA guidance on permitted EUSS work before accepting instructions. Complex cases requiring representations beyond Level 1 are referred appropriately.
Who This Visa Is For
You may qualify for this visa category if you are:
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have not yet applied
Pre-settled status holders approaching, or past, their 5-year residence point who need to apply to upgrade to settled status
Family members joining an eligible EU, EEA or Swiss citizen sponsor, where the relationship and route requirements are met
People who believed - that they didn't need to apply, and are now discovering they need to regularise their position
Eligibility depends on the relevant Appendix EU provisions, including the applicant’s qualifying residence or family relationship. We review the applicable criteria and supporting evidence. The assessment is not the same as a general long-residence application.
Settled Status vs Pre-Settled Status
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Settled status is indefinite leave to remain — no time limit, and it can support a future British citizenship application, subject to naturalisation's own separate requirements
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Pre-settled status is limited leave, generally granted where an applicant has less than 5 years' qualifying residence at the time of application; holders must apply to upgrade to settled status once they qualify, rather than being upgraded automatically in every case.
How to Apply
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Create or sign in to your UKVI account at gov.uk
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Verify your identity, typically using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app or another approved method
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Complete the online application, including your residence history and, where relevant, family relationship details
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Upload supporting documents
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For late applications, submit your evidence of reasonable grounds for the delay alongside your substantive eligibility evidence
How We Help — Our Process
Free Initial Consultation
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Evidence Gathering
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Application Preparation & Submission
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Responding to Home Office Queries
Ongoing Support
Important change from April 2026
The Home Office has expanded automatic conversion of pre-settled status to settled status. The system now checks for 30 months of tax and benefit records within the last 60 months as evidence of UK residence, rather than requiring a fresh application under the full Withdrawal Agreement continuity rules. This has increased the number of automatic upgrades, but not everyone qualifies for automation — those without 30 months of tax/benefit records in the relevant period, and certain other categories, still need to apply manually. If you're unsure whether you've been automatically upgraded, this is worth checking directly through your UKVI account rather than assuming either way.