EU, EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 should not apply under the points-based immigration system. They are eligible to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme and should apply free of charge by 30 June 2021 to continue living in the UK. 

The EU Settlement Scheme 

The UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) allows you to continue to study, work and live in the UK post-Brexit (i.e. after the end of the transition period at 23.00 on 31 December 2020). 

You can apply under the EUSS even if you have been in the UK for less than 6 months, but only if you arrived in the UK prior to 31 December 2020. The EUSS allows you to apply for either settled or pre-settled status. 

We encourage all our EU students to apply under the EUSS to avoid any problems after the 31 December 2020. The application is free, quick and straightforward.  It is designed to be user-friendly.  

You will normally be emailed a decision on your application within 5 working days. 

Which should I apply for? 

• Settled status 
  You will be eligible to apply to stay in the UK indefinitely (known as settled status) if, by 31 December 2020, you have been continually living in the UK for 5 years. You must have completed 5 years of residency in the UK at the time of application in order to be eligible for settled status.  If you have had absences from the UK during the 5 year period of up to 6 months, or one period of up to 12 months in specific circumstances including serious illness or study, you can still apply for the scheme. 
• Pre-settled status 
  You will be eligible to apply for limited leave to remain in the UK (known as pre-settled status) if you arrive by 31 December 2020, but have not yet have been continuously living in the UK for 5 years. This enables you to stay until you have reached the 5-year threshold, after which time you will be eligible to apply for settled status.  We expect many of our students to be applying under this category. 

How do I apply? 

You can submit your application for settled or pre-settled status online. 

If your application is successful, you will not receive a physical document (unless you are a non-EEA family member and do not already have a biometric residence card).  Instead, you’ll be able to obtain proof of your status through an online service. 

As part of the application you will be required to evidence the following:  

• Your identity and nationality 
  You will be asked to upload a valid passport or national identity card digitally using an app on an Android phone or tablet with OS 6.0 or above (you can use someone else’s phone to do this). Please note that this process will only work if your document has a biometric chip, if you do not, you will be able to send your documents by post instead. 
   
  You can also make an appointment to scan your ID document at a number of service locations across the UK.  Please follow this link and enter your post code to find your nearest location: https://www.gov.uk/id-scan-eu-settlement-scheme. 
• Your residence in the UK  
  If you are applying for settled status, you will need to show that you have been living in the UK for 5 continuous years. If you have a National Insurance number and worked in the UK, your application will automatically link to HMRC UK tax records to establish the duration of your residency. Please see the UK Home Office website for other types of acceptable evidence of residency. 
   
  If you are applying for pre-settled status, you can upload your student status letter to show that you are currently living in the UK.  You can obtain your student status letter from the i-zone or Your Services. 
• Your photograph 
  As part of the online application, you will be asked to upload a recent digital photo of your face. 
• Criminal convictions 
  If applicable, you will be asked to provide any information about criminal convictions, and these will be checked against UK crime databases. 

Additional information: 

• If you are a student who already has a permanent residence document (and have already provided proof of 5 years residency) you will still need to apply for settled status. 
• If you are currently in the UK and planning to leave before 31 December 2020 (with a view to travelling back again after 31 December 2020), then serious consideration should be given to making an application for pre-settled or settled status under the EUSS before you leave.  
• We always recommend you carry a copy of your Student Status Letter in your hand luggage when travelling. You can download a Status Letter from the Student Website  (select the Formal Documents Tile and then select Student Status Letter. Follow the prompts and it will be emailed to your University email address.  

Things to know about the future: 

• If you are granted pre-settled status, you can travel to and from the UK easily.  However, you must not remain outside the UK for more than 2 continuous years otherwise you will lose your pre-settled status. 
• If you are granted settled status, you must not remain outside the UK for more than 5 continuous years otherwise you will lose your settled status 
• If you withdraw from your studies, you will be subject to the new (non-UK) fee. If you plan to interrupt your studies you should seek advice about the likely impact on your fees. 

EU, EEA and Swiss students who left the UK due to Covid-19 

If you were studying in the UK and have returned home during the pandemic and are continuing with your course online in your home country (when you would otherwise be studying in the UK), you are able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme from outside the UK, so long as you are able to prove that you are still continuously resident in the UK. This means that you must not have been absent from the UK for more than six months in any 12-month period, except for a single absence of no more than 12 months for an important reason, for example due to studying outside the UK because of Covid-19.  

If you have started your course online in your home country due to Covid-19, and you would otherwise be studying in the UK, you will be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as long as you arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020. If you are unable to arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020, you will be required to apply to the Student route under the points-based immigration system. 

The Student Route 

Those who arrive in the UK for the first time after 1 January 2021 will be expected to apply under the Student Route of the Immigration Rules. 

Eligibilty 

All students applying to the new Student Route through the points-based immigration system, will need to demonstrate they meet the required 70 points. You will achieve the required points if you can demonstrate that you have an offer from an approved educational institution and have been issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by your sponsor before making an application to the Student Route, speak English and are able to support themselves during their studies in the UK.  

Cost 

A Student visa will cost £348 if applied for outside the UK and students will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their application, which gives migrants access to the UK’s National Health Service on generally the same basis as a UK permanent resident. Students will receive a 25% discount on the Immigration Health Surcharge. The Immigration Health Surcharge increased on 27 October 2020 and the discounted rate for Student visa holders is £470.  

We are also making it easier for the best international graduates to secure skilled jobs in the UK with our new Graduate route, which will allow international students who have completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in the UK to stay for 2 years and those who have completed a PhD to stay for 3 years. 

Further information can be found at: 

UK Council for International Student Affairs 

Frequently asked questions

Our EU referendum response 

StaffNET page