Major changes for EEA Nationals and Family members of EEA nationals that have pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme and want to apply for settled status.
EU Settlement Scheme:
In order to apply for settled status also known as Indefinite Leave to remain and simplify the assessment of continuous residence, pre-settled status holder will be granted settled status where they have been resident in the UK for at least 30 months in total in the most recent 60-month period. This can be any 30 months within that 60-month period, making it easier to meet the criteria even with some time abroad.
This is a major change as prior to show continuous residence you must have been resident in the UK for at least 6 months in any 12months period.
Change taking effect from 29 July 2025.
Appendix Private Life:
Young adults who were granted permission to remain in the UK before 20 June 2022 under private or family life rules will now be able to settle after five years if they meet the “half-life” test (i.e., they’ve spent at least half their life in the UK). Children who’ve lived in the UK for seven years can now qualify for settlement after five years.
Appendix Long Residence:
The rules on long residence are being clarified so that time spent as a British citizen will now count as lawful residence unless that citizenship was later revoked (for example, if it was obtained fraudulently). In that case, where a person has been deprived of British citizenship, the time they spent in the UK with that citizenship does not count as lawful residence and so cannot be used towards a long residence application.