Applicants who wish to apply for settled status must prove they have lived in the UK for five continuous years, starting earlier than 31st December 2020. Continuity of residence is broken by absences of more than six months in any year. However, not all absences break the continuity. Applicants will not have broken continuity of residence if:
- During the 5-year qualifying residence, they were outside of the UK for one period of absence less than 12 months for an “important reason” such as pregnancy, childbirth, study, vocational training, serious illness, overseas posting or certain absences due to COVID-19.
- They were on compulsory military service.
- They were outside of the UK on a posting on Crown Service; or accompanying a partner or child who was posted on Crown Service.
- They worked in the UK marine area.
Applicants living in the UK for more than 5 years
Aa settled status applicant does not need to rely on the latest five-year period. If an applicant has only recently broken the continuity of residence but had a previous five-year period during which they did not break the continuity of their residence, they can rely on that.
Applicants living in the UK for less than 5 years
For applicants who lived in the UK for less than five years, if they break their continuity of residence after 31st December 2020, they are unlikely ever to be eligible for settled status.
Immigration Solicitors Rochdale, Manchester and Oldham
If you have any queries on the matters raised in this EU settlement scheme article and need the help of Oldham immigration solicitors, Manchester Immigration solicitors or Rochdale immigration solicitors then please contact our Manchester Solicitors, Rochdale Solicitors or Oldham Solicitors on 0161 660 6050 and we will be happy to help.
