Visas and Immigration

Pre- settled status

See information on who may still be able to apply on the UKVI's EUSS webpages. The deadline for most people to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021.  UKVI say you can still potentially apply only if either:

• the deadline for you to apply is after 30 June 2021
• you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for why you did not apply by the deadline

Settled status

UKVI announced on 17th July 2023 that from September 2023 people with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will automatically have their status extended by 2 years before it expires if they have not obtained settled status.

They also intend to automatically convert as many eligible pre-settled status holders as possible to settled status once they are eligible for it, without them needing to make an application from 2024. 

Please check the UKVI webpages for updates:

UKVI: News Story (17th July 2023)

UKVI: EU Settlement Scheme information

Making an application for Settled status

See the UKVI's webpages for information on applying to switch from pre-settled status to settled status which includes who is eligible and both how and when to apply.

If you have pre-settled status, and are planning on applying for settled status in the future, you must maintain your residence in the UK and Islands (i.e. not be outside the UK and Islands for longer than the allowed absences).

If you have been living in the UK continuously for five or more years on pre-settled status you will be eligible to apply for "settled status" under the EU Settlement Scheme. This includes those with gaps of up to 6 months in any 12 months period and / or one instance of up to 12 months absence for a specified reason, including study.

‘Settled status' (unless granted to Swiss citizens and their family members) will be lost after a continuous absence of more than five years from the UK and Islands (for Swiss citizens and family members under the EU settlement scheme this will be lost after a continuous absence of more than four years from the UK and Islands).  This is not just from the point that your pre-settled application is decided, but for the whole five year period you are relying on as qualifying for settled status.

The UKCISA webpages also offer information on applying for settled status and the UKVI's concessions for those absent from the UK due to Covid 19 for more than 6 months and up to 12 months.

You will need to use your e-mail address and a mobile number to apply.

• Download the EU Exit: ID Document Check app for iPhone or Android phones (see the UKVI's guidance on using this app here).  Complete all tasks on the app.

• You will then make a UKVI online account log-in and complete the online application form BROKEN - you will also upload your documents to UKVI via your online UKVI application account.  You can log back into your UKVI online account at any time here.

UKVI say you will be able to apply either inside or outside the UK, free of charge. 

Once you have completed the steps on the EU Exit: ID Document Check app, submitted the online application form and submitted your application documents, the UKVI will process your application.

UKVI have noted that the EU Settlement Scheme processing times are usually around 5 working days however can take longer. 

Once your application has been processed UKVI will send you an e-mail or letter confirming the outcome of your application.  You will have access to evidence of your settlement status after receiving the decision e-mail or letter.

Evidence of residence in the UK

All the documents you submit as evidence of your residence in the UK must be dated and have your name on them. See the UKVI's evidence of UK residence documents you can prepare and submit.  You can upload a maximum of 10 documents to show evidence of UK residence. Each document must be no more than 6MB in size. 

Please see the UKCISA webpages, the UKVI's webpages and UKVI's caseworker guidance for information on documents and:

- evidence of meeting the continuous qualifying period

- an absence from the UK for up to 12 months for an "important" reason

- absences from the UK due to Covid-19

You can get a Certifying Letter from the University to prove how long you have been studying at University of Glasgow on your current course (and for evidence of any previous courses studied at University of Glasgow too). You may also wish to submit a rental agreement and evidence of payment for your accommodation.

EU, EEA or Swiss passport

You need a valid passport or valid national identity card.  You will scan this as part of using the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app.

To scan your passport or ID card using the app you will need one of the following:

• a valid EU, EEA or Swiss passport or ID card, if it’s biometric
• a UK-issued biometric residence card

If you are not applying from inside the UK, your national identity card must have a biometric chip.

Biometric photo

You also need to provide a digital photo of your face - this is made and submitted as part of using the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app.

When original documents need to be submitted in the post

You must send your document/s by post if you have a:

• non-EU or non-EEA passport
• biometric residence permit
• non-biometric ID card

You can also send other types of document in the post if you cannot use the ‘ID Document Check’ app for any reason.

Online status

Your status will be recorded digitally so you will not receive a document to prove this.  However, employers, educational institutions, UK Border Officers etc can access this if required. You can view your status or prove it to someone else online. You will not usually get a physical document.

International Student Support have created the below video guide for students providing their status to the university's Immigration Compliance Team: EUSS share code video guide for UofG students 

UKVI's EU Settlement Scheme webpages

UKVI's EU Settlement Scheme: caseworkers guidance

UKVI's Immigration Rules: Appendix EU

UKVI guidance for using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app

UKVI's information on pre-settled and settled status holders rights when living in the UK

UKCISA's EU Settlement Scheme information

Home Office Guide - Your immigration status: an introduction for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens