EU citizens resident in the UK on or before 11pm on 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply under the Settlement Scheme.

Successful applicants will gain either settled or pre-settled status:

1. Settled Status. EU citizens and their family members who have resided in the UK for a continuous period of at least five years are eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. This means that they will be free to reside in the UK, to access public funds and services and eventually to apply for British citizenship.
2. Pre-settled Status. EU citizens and their family members who have resided in the UK for a period of less than five continuous years can apply for Limited Leave to Remain, allowing them to complete the five-year continuous residence period and become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain under settled status.

Close family members (spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren) who are living with or join an EU citizen in the UK during the transition period, where the relationship exists on 31 December 2020, will also be able to apply for pre-settled or settled status.

Continuous residence means that applicants must not have been absent from the UK for more than six months in any continuous 12-month period. A single absence of up to 12 months is permitted for exceptional reasons such as pregnancy, childbirth, ill health, study or vocational training.

Individuals who are granted settled status will lose it if they are absent from the UK for more than five continuous years.

For further information, please visit the EU Settlement Scheme page on Holt Doctors' website here, or for full details on the Settlement Scheme and eligibility criteria see: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families



DISCLAIMER: This communication has been prepared by Holt Doctors Limited for general information only. It is not intended to constitute professional or legal advice and you should not rely on its contents. Please seek independent professional advice.