If you are an EU/EEA national and were resident in the UK by 11pm on 31 December 2020, it is possible to make a late application under the scheme if you have ‘reasonable grounds’ to do so, but there can be no guarantee of a successful outcome.

The gov.uk website sets out information for late applicants and how to apply. This webpage also provides guidance on reasonable grounds for late applications. 

Eligible applicants should make a late application to the EUSS as soon as possible. If you apply under this provision you may continue to study if you are issued with a Certificate of Application which will confirm your rights while awaiting the decision. When you receive the Certificate of Application you must provide us with a copy by emailing the International Student Advisory Team.

If your application is unsuccessful and you either decide not to submit an Administrative Review or its outcome was unsuccessful, you will need to leave the UK and apply for a Student visa if you have not completed your course.

If you believe your application is unlikely to be successful for example because you do not meet the residency requirements, you should consider instead, simply going home to apply for and obtain a Student visa to study, before returning.

To apply for a Student visa, you will need to request a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) by emailing the International Student Advisory Team. At the time you apply for a Student visa, you must meet the requirements.

Pre-settled status is what is granted to successful EUSS applicants who cannot yet show 5 years of continuous residence. Settled status is granted to those who can prove 5 years of continuous residence. Those with pre-settled status can later achieve settled status by meeting the requirements .

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is immigration permission that will protect your residency in the UK and therefore your right to study, work and live within the UK. If you are granted either settled or pre-settled status you will not get a physical document unless you are a non-EU family member and do not already have a biometric residence permit (BRP). You will be able to access evidence of your status and application via an online system and share your rights to others such as employers, landlords and educational institutions online.

You may need to plan your future life and travels if you wish to retain the benefits of the EUSS as the status can be lost as set out below. Also, being convicted of a serious criminal offence or acquiring a lengthy criminal record can also cause the loss of the status.

If you have been granted pre-settled status: You will be able to work, study, use the NHS, access public funding, and travel in and out of the UK. You can spend up to 2 years in a row outside of the UK without losing your pre-settled status, but you will need to maintain your 5-years continuous residency if you want to apply for settled status once you have lived for 5 years in the UK. You must apply for settled status before the expiry of your pre-settled status.

If you have been granted settled status: You will be able to work, study, use the NHS, access public funding, travel in and out of the UK and apply for British citizenship if eligible. You will be able to spend up to 5 years in a row outside of the UK without losing your settled status or up to 4 years in a row if you are a Swiss citizen or their eligible family member.

Pre-settled status is valid for 5 years from the date you are granted the status. In order to stay in the UK past the expiry of your pre-settled status, you will need to re-apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for settled status. You must do this before your pre-settled status expires. You can apply to convert your status to settled status, as soon as you are eligible. You do not need to wait until your pre-settled status is almost expired. 

The Home Office confirmed that absences of up to 12 months due directly to Covid-19 will not affect the 5-year residency required for an application for settled status. Please see information regarding this on the Home Office EUSS and Covid-19 website.

It is free to apply. To convert your status to settled status please read the latest guidance on the Home Office's EUSS webpages and follow the links to apply. The application process will be mostly the same as when you applied for pre-settled status but this time you may need to upload additional documents to show that you have accrued at least 5 years continuous residence.

GOV.UK
UKCISA

If you need clarification or require assistance, please contact the International Student Advisory Team.