EU Settlement Scheme applications are closing – don’t miss the deadline

The information in this article was correct at the time it was published. If you are reading this at a later date please be sure to check the information on the Gov.uk links or contact studentimmigration@cranfield.ac.uk if you are unsure.

As you may already know, the UK has now formally left the EU. From 1 January 2021, the UK has a new immigration system and any EU, EEA or Swiss citizen not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme will require a visa to enter after 1 January 2021. This means that you might need a visa, if you are arriving to the UK for the first time to start your course or continue your study on campus.

The EU settlement scheme is designed to offer EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens living in or entering the UK before the 31 December 2020 and their eligible family members, the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK.

The scheme allows you to apply for either settled status (if you have been continuously living in the UK for 5 years or more by 31 December 2020) or pre-settled status (if you arrive in the UK by 31 December 2020 but have not yet been continuously living in the UK for 5 years).

If you think you may be eligible and have not already applied under the EU Settlement Scheme you need to be quick as the deadline to make an application is 30 June 2021. It is free to apply for the scheme. If you are living in the UK and do not apply before the deadline, this could cause you problems and put at risk your ability to live, work and study in the UK.

Eligible applicants can apply from inside or outside the UK. You can complete an application online and then either use the identity (ID) app to upload your documents or go in person to have identity checks.

We understand that making an application can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you apply under this scheme. We also recommend you visit the UKCISA website for more in-depth information.

Good luck with your application! Don’t forget you can contact us if you have any questions about the EU Settlement Scheme or if you need help submitting an application.