Settled Status Application Under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) - Specialist Immigration Solicitors

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 25 April 2026

You can apply to switch from a pre-settled status to a settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) if you have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’). The 5 years will normally be counted from the day you started your continuous residence, not the day you were granted pre-settled status. You may not be eligible for settled status if, during the 5 years, you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period.

Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.

Free Immigration Advice for Settled Status Applications

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5 minutes of free, one-off immigration advice on your EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application for a settled status. Ask a question online to our specialist team of EUSS solicitors for free immigration advice, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your EUSS application for a settled status.

Switching from Pre-Settled Status to Settled Status under the EUSSS

To apply for a settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), you must have 5 years’ continuous residence. You may be eligible to convert to settled status as long as you’ve not been outside the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for more than either:

30 months (2.5 years) in the last 5 years
6 months in any 12-month period within any 5-year period (there are some exceptions when you can be outside the UK for more than 6 months)

Automatic Conversion from Pre-Settled to Settled Status

Your status may be automatically converted from pre-settled to settled status by the Home Office UKVI. The Home Office can access travel information and will use your National Insurance number to check records of your tax or certain benefits to see if you meet the continuous residence requirements. If you are automatically moved from pre-settled to settled status, you’ll get a letter by email confirming your settled status.

You can apply before you’re converted if you’re eligible. It’s free to apply.

It’s easier to prove your right to live in the UK permanently if you have settled status. You can usually apply for British citizenship once you’ve had settled status for 12 months.

Applying for a Settled Status When Eligible

You can apply for settled status as soon as you are eligible, rather than waiting to be automatically moved. This means you’ll need to apply for the settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and prove you meet the requirements, including the residence requirements.

To apply for a settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), you’ll need to:

prove your identity
give evidence of your continuous residence
give evidence of your relationship to a family member - if your pre-settled status was based on that relationship

Do not apply if you’ve had an email confirming you’re being considered for conversion from pre-settled status to settled status automatically.

If your identity document or personal details have changed since you applied for pre-settled status, you must update your UKVI account before you apply for your settled status.

Naturalisation as a British Citizen After Grant Of Settled Status

You can apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen 12 months after the grant of your settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) by virtue of section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981. An application for naturalisation as a British Citizen is made using the AN application form. Naturalisation is at the discretion of the Home Secretary. Under Section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981, s/he may, if s/he thinks fit, grant a certificate of naturalisation to a person of full age and capacity if s/he is satisfied that the person meets the requirements set out in Schedule 1 to the Act.

Our naturalisation solicitors are specialists in handling applications for naturalisation as a British Citizen. Our naturalisation solicitors have a wealth of knowledge and experience in successfully handling naturalisation applications. Read More

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors in London can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your application for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), covering all work on your application until the Home Office, UKVI, issues a decision. Our best team of immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration services for your settled status application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors on your settled status application will entail the following:

Our immigration solicitors will assess your eligibility for settled status under the EU Settled Scheme (EUSS) by considering all your personal circumstances.
Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the weaknesses and strengths of your settled status under the EU Settled Scheme (EUSS).
Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant documents to be submitted in support of your settled status under the EU Settled Scheme (EUSS).
Our immigration solicitors will assess your documents to ensure they meet the requirements of Appendix EU of the immigration Rules.
Our immigration solicitors will complete and submit the online application form to apply for settled status under the EU Settled Scheme (EUSS) by gathering all the relevant information from you.
Our immigration solicitors will upload all relevant supporting documents online to support your settled status application.
Our immigration solicitors will liaise with the Home Office UKVI for a timely decision on your settled status application.

Specialist Immigration Solicitors for the EUSS Applications

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in the applications to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients successfully with their EUSS applications. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and representation for your EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application.

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

Meet Our Team of immigration solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the EUSS application process with professionalism and care.

Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.