Post-Brexit Immigration Status for EU Nationals
EU Settlement Scheme: Pre-Settled Status, Settled Status & Family Permits
Expert guidance on the EU Settlement Scheme. Work Permit Cloud assists with EU pre-settled and settled status applications, late applications, upgrades, and EU family permits.
Expert guidance on pre-settled status upgrades, settled status applications, late EUSS applications, and EU family permits from IAA-regulated advisors.
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Three EUSS services to protect your UK residence rights
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What Is the EU Settlement Scheme?
The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was created to protect the rights of EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens living in the UK following Brexit. It remains one of the most significant post-Brexit immigration frameworks, with over 5.8 million grants of status issued by the end of 2025. Although the main application deadline of 30 June 2021 has now passed, the scheme is far from closed, and for many people the most important steps are still ahead.
For the estimated 1.4 million people who currently hold pre-settled status, the transition to settled status is a critical priority. In July 2025, the Home Office introduced a more flexible residence calculation, allowing pre-settled status holders to qualify for settled status if they can show at least 30 months of UK residence in the most recent 60-month period. From January 2026, the Home Office also began automatically upgrading eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status using HMRC and DWP records. However, not everyone will be upgraded automatically, and relying on automation alone carries risk. If you hold pre-settled status, apply manually as soon as you meet the five-year continuous residence requirement.
Late applications remain open to those who missed the original deadline and can demonstrate reasonable grounds for the delay, such as serious illness, lack of capacity, or other compelling personal circumstances. However, the threshold for what constitutes reasonable grounds has tightened since August 2023, and late applications carry greater scrutiny. The strength of your evidence and the clarity of your explanation are decisive.
Family members of eligible EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can also still apply. In most cases, an EUSS Family Permit is required for overseas family members to travel to the UK before they can then apply for pre-settled or settled status once here. The family relationship must generally have existed before 31 December 2020, and the scheme now uses digital status only — there are no physical documents issued.
Work Permit Cloud's immigration advisors are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and provide expert guidance across all three areas of the EU Settlement Scheme. Select the relevant service below to find out how we can help.
5.8 Million Grants Issued
Over 5.8 million grants of EUSS status have been issued since the scheme opened. If you or a family member have not yet secured your status, or need to upgrade from pre-settled to settled, time is critical.
Automated Upgrade from April 2026
From 9 April 2026, the Home Office began automatically upgrading eligible pre-settled holders to settled status using HMRC and DWP records. However, students, the self-employed, and others without HMRC records will not be captured automatically.
Digital Status Only
EUSS status is entirely digital. There is no physical document or BRP. Prove your status by sharing a code from your UKVI account, which allows employers and landlords to verify your status in real time.
EU settled status is the equivalent of Indefinite Leave to Remain — it gives you the unconditional right to live and work in the UK permanently. After holding settled status for 12 months, you may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship. The scheme covers EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals and their eligible family members. To apply or check your status, visit the EU Settlement Scheme page on GOV.UK.
Our Services
Our EU Settlement Scheme Services
Three specialist services for EU nationals and their family members securing their right to remain in the UK
01
EU Family Permit
If your EU, EEA, or Swiss family member already holds settled or pre-settled status in the UK, you may be eligible for an EUSS Family Permit to join them. The permit is free, lasts six months, and allows you to then apply for pre-settled status once you arrive. We guide you through eligibility, evidence, and the application process.
Find Out More02
EU Settled Status
Settled status gives you the right to live in the UK permanently, the equivalent of Indefinite Leave to Remain. We help EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals and their family members apply, gather the right evidence, and deal with late or complex applications where the standard online process is not straightforward.
Find Out More03
EU Pre-Settled Status
If you were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 but had not yet completed five years of continuous residence, you will have been granted pre-settled status. We advise on when and how to upgrade to settled status, the new 30-month residence rule, and what to do if the automatic conversion process misses your case.
Find Out MoreNot sure which EU Settlement Scheme service you need?
Our IAA-regulated advisers will assess your situation and advise on the right step to take.
Our Process
How Our EU Settlement Scheme Service Works
From confirming your eligibility to submitting a complete, well-evidenced application, we handle every stage
01
Get in Touch
Tell us about your situation, whether you hold pre-settled status and want to upgrade, need to make a late application, or are a family member applying to join an EU national in the UK. We will confirm your options and any urgent deadlines.
02
Eligibility Assessment
We review your residence history, the evidence available to you, and your relationship to the EU national sponsor where applicable. We identify the strongest route and flag any gaps in your evidence that need addressing before submission.
03
Prepare Your Application
We compile your evidence of UK residence or family relationship, structure your application correctly, and draft supporting statements where needed. Every application is reviewed for completeness before submission.
04
Submit and Follow Up
We submit your application through the UKVI system and keep you informed at each stage. If the Home Office requests additional evidence or issues a decision you wish to challenge, we advise on your appeal rights and next steps.
Ready to secure your EU Settlement Scheme status?
Get in touch today for a free initial assessment.
What Our Client Saying
MD Abdul Khalik Shahib
Google review · 5★
I'm very happy to share that I received my visa approval today for a 2-year extension. A huge thank you to my solicitor for the excellent support, professionalism, and guidance throughout the entire process. Everything was handled smoothly, and I truly appreciated the clear communication and dedication from start to finish. I highly recommend their service to anyone looking for reliable and professional immigration support.
Ahsane Elahi
Google review · 5★
I am incredibly grateful to Work Permit Cloud for their outstanding assistance with my visa process. A massive thank you to Mamun, who was an absolute lifesaver. He tolerated me over the weeks with unmatched patience, calmly and warmly answering every single one of my calls and messages. Highly recommend this company and their phenomenal team!
Im-mr Zakaria
Trustpilot · 5★
Alhamdulillah i got my visa extension thank you very much WPC for helped me and with me throughout this journey. My visa was about to expired before getting an additional cos but you guys took the responsibility and did all the paper work and take the risk and eventually got succeed. Thanks a bunch guys.
FAQ
Common questions
Is the EU Settlement Scheme still open?
Yes. Although the original application deadline was 30 June 2021, the EUSS remains open for late applications where reasonable grounds for the delay can be shown, such as serious illness, lack of mental capacity, or other compelling personal circumstances. The scheme is also open for eligible family members of EU citizens applying to join them in the UK.
What is the difference between pre-settled and settled status?
Pre-settled status is granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who were in the UK before 31 December 2020 but had not yet completed five years of continuous residence. It is a temporary status that must be upgraded. Settled status is the permanent equivalent of Indefinite Leave to Remain, granted once five years of continuous UK residence are completed. See our EU Pre-Settled Status and EU Settled Status pages for full detail.
Will my pre-settled status be automatically upgraded to settled status?
From January 2026, the Home Office began automatically upgrading eligible pre-settled holders to settled status using HMRC and DWP records. The formal launch was 9 April 2026. However, the automated process will not capture everyone, particularly students, the self-employed, and those whose residence is not reflected in HMRC or DWP records. Apply manually as soon as you meet the five-year continuous residence requirement rather than relying on automation alone.
What is the new 30-month rule for upgrading pre-settled status?
From July 2025, pre-settled status holders can qualify for settled status by showing at least 30 months of UK residence within the most recent 60-month period, rather than demonstrating a strictly consecutive five-year period. This benefits people who spent some time outside the UK during the qualifying period.
Can I lose my pre-settled status?
Yes. From April 2026, pre-settled status can be cancelled if the Home Office determines the holder has ceased to be resident in the UK. This makes upgrading to settled status as quickly as possible essential. Do not wait until your pre-settled status is close to expiry.
Does EU settled status lead to British citizenship?
Yes. After holding EU settled status for at least 12 months, you may apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, provided you also meet the residence, Life in the UK Test, English language, and good character requirements. See our British Citizenship Application page for full detail.
How do I prove my EU Settlement Scheme status?
EUSS status is entirely digital — there is no physical document or BRP. You prove your status by sharing a code from your UKVI account at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status, which allows employers, landlords, and government agencies to verify your status in real time.
Have more questions about the EU Settlement Scheme?
Speak to one of our IAA-regulated advisers today.
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