The EUSS is the immigration route for the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals and their family members ( also a family member of an eligible person of Northern Ireland) who was resident in the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 and who wish to remain there after that date.
New and continuing students who plan to study remotely (outside the UK) in term 1
If you are able to demonstrate residence in the UK, please apply under the EU settlement Scheme (EUSS) if you have not already done so.
Irish citizens
Irish citizens will be exempt from the UK’s new points-based immigration system and so will still be able to live, work and study in the UK under the Common Travel Arrangements agreement.
Irish citizens are not required to apply under the EUSS. However, their family members who are not British or Irish are required to apply under the EUSS, unless they already have leave in a different immigration category.
You will be able to select either settled or pre-settled status when you apply under the scheme. Which status you are awarded depends on how long you have lived in the UK at the time of your application. Your rights will be different depending on which status you are given if your application is approved.
For more information on eligibility and requirements for applying under the EUSS please visit the UK government’s dedicated EUSS page.
Key features
Eligible EEA and Swiss nationals who have entered the UK by 11 pm on 31 December 2020 have until 30 June 2021 to apply under the EUSS. From 1 July 2021, if you have not applied under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) you risk becoming an overstayer and may have to apply under the new Immigration Rules, if permitted to do so, if you wish to remain in the UK beyond 30 June 2021.
EEA/Swiss citizens
An 'EEA/Swiss citizen' who already has settled status in the form of a right to permanent residence will still need to apply under the EUSS. However, if you already have confirmation of indefinite leave to enter or remain, you are not required to apply under the EUSS.
If you would like to have the option of staying outside the UK for up to five, rather than two, consecutive years you may wish to apply under the scheme. It would also be useful for non-EEA/Swiss family members to also apply under the scheme, even if you don't have plans to leave the UK.
Settled status
This will normally be given to individuals who are able to show that they have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’) and have met the other eligibility criteria.
If you are granted settled status, you will normally be able to remain in the UK indefinitely. You will also be able to apply for British citizenship, if eligible.
Individuals that are granted settled status are normally permitted to be absent from the UK for up to five consecutive years (four years for Swiss nationals and their family members) without losing their status.
Pre-settled status
Individuals that do not have five years of continuous residence in the UK may be granted ‘pre-settled status, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Individuals who are granted pre-settled status are normally permitted to be absent from the UK for up to two consecutive years without losing their status. However, if you spend more than six months outside of the UK in any 12-month period, unless exempt, you risk losing your period of ‘continuous residence’ which may delay when you can qualify for settlement based on the ‘five years of continuous residence’ requirement.
Please visit the EUSS page for more information on the different categories and rights and conditions that are associated with settled/pre-settled status.
Healthcare
You will not be required to show that you held comprehensive sickness insurance during your time in the UK when applying under the EUSS. However, it is a requirement that EEA/Swiss students and their family members have Comprehensive Sickness Insurance to be able to access health care in the UK.
If you successfully apply for the EUSS you will have the right to access UK healthcare. Go to the UKCISA webpage for more information.