Immigration
The University recognises that the uncertainty around Brexit may be causing some anxieties and wishes to offer colleagues support wherever possible.
The HR Immigration Team will be happy to assist any EU/EEA colleagues with any questions or queries following the end of Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme process. The deadline for EU/EEA nationals applying under the EU Settlement Scheme for most people was 30 June 2021. You can still apply if you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by the deadline. Please read the frequently asked questions below in conjunction with the Home Office brochure and the UKVI EU Settlement Scheme website.
For the latest monthly Home Office statistics please view here.
After applying to the EU Settlement Scheme
Please remember the importance of keeping your personal details up to date, including a change of address, phone number or renewing your passport. Additional information on this can be found here.
If you plan to travel, please ensure that you add any document you did not use in your application, for example if you applied with your National ID card but plan to travel on a passport or renewed passport, you should update the Home Office with your updated passport details. This will avoid any delays at the border when re-entering the UK. You will not receive a physical document to prove your status; to view and prove your immigration status you will need to use the Home Office link www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. It may also be advisable to print off a copy of your digital record to show at the airport if needed (in addition to showing your passport/ID card).
If you experience any difficulties at border control in an emergency please contact HR Immigration, 01509 222028 during normal office hours, alternatively if out of office hours please contact the Security Control room available 24/7, 01509 222141. We can then contact our employers UKVI helpline with your permission.
I am an EU/EEA national and I have obtained pre-settled status, do I need to re-apply at some point?
Yes, you will need to reapply after you have completed five years of residence in the UK. Once you have settled status you can stay in the UK as long as you like, subject to length of time spent outside of the UK, please see UKVI website for further detail. You may also be able to apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible. Further information can be obtained here.
I am an EU/EEA national, what do I need to do to ensure that my family can stay in the UK?
Applications must be submitted for children of any age, and parents applying on their behalf are encouraged to link their applications. The HR Immigration Team have a device to use if your personal device is not compatible with the UKVI website and can be contacted at hrimmigration@lboro.ac.uk for providing assistance with the verification of your family’s passports for their EU Settlement Scheme application. Further information can be found here.
I am an EU national with pre or settled status, can my family join me in the UK?
Your family can join you in the UK as long as their relationship with you was prior to 31 December 2020. Further information on this can be found here
What kind of documents do I need in order to demonstrate that I have been resident in the UK for five years as part of the settled status process? (bank statements, bills etc)
There are two specific areas that you will need to prove:
a) Your identity, as evidenced by your passport.
b) Your residence in the UK. This can be evidenced by bank statements, bills etc. Your National Insurance number will also allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and certain government records.
Unfortunately, you will need to provide this proof again when you apply to change from pre-settled status to settled status. More information on the documentation required can be found at the UKVI website
I am an EU/EEA national, how much time can I spend out of the country without this affecting my application for settled status?
There is a 5 year qualifying period of continuous residence in the UK, for at least 6 months in any 12 month period. There are some exceptions and further information can be found here. You must not have left the UK or the Common Travel Area for more than 6 months in any 12 month period.
Do I automatically have settled/pre-settled status?
No, there is no automatic right therefore you must formally apply through the EU Settlement Scheme.
I am an Irish Citizen, do I need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme?
As an Irish Citizen you can continue living and working in the UK and do not need to apply, as the rights are protected under the Common Travel Area arrangement. However, an Irish Citizen can apply if they wish, but they are not required to.
Why should I apply for pre-settled status?
Pre-settled status gives you rights to live and work in the UK without a visa for up to 5 years. Without this status you will need to apply for an alternative visa which is a much more complicated process, and can cost you thousands of pounds.
Do I need to use my University email address to apply?
No, you can use a personal address if you wish.
How much does applying for settled/pre-settled status cost?
Unlike other visas, there is no fee to apply.
Do I still need to apply if I have a permanent residence document?
Yes, after 30 June 2021 Permanent residence documents will not be a valid proof of residence / right to work. Therefore, you will need to apply through the EU Settlement Scheme. Further information can be found here.
Do I need an active National Insurance Number to be able to apply?
No, you do not need a National Insurance number to be able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Who shall I contact if I have a question or query in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme or request further support.
If after reading the following FAQs and the UKVI information you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the HR Immigration Team by email: HRImmigration@lboro.ac.uk. There is also the EU Settlement Resolution Centre who are able to provide support seven days a week.
I am struggling to apply online due to access to a computer / mobile device and / or skills, what should I do?
‘Assisted Digital’ can provide you with the support you require. In addition, our HR Immigration Team can assist you and can support you with the identity stage of your application using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app if you are unable to download the app.
I was expecting to receive ‘settled status’ as I have been a resident in the UK for longer than 5 years but I have only received ‘pre-settled status’, what should I do?
We would suggest you contact the EU Settlement Resolution Centre and see what they advise. It is possible that they may suggest for you to reapply while you are able to and ensure the further evidence is provided.
How will I receive confirmation of my status?
You will not receive a physical document confirming your status, it will be received digitally and included in this will be information on how you can share this with your employer or landlord via the online system.
When will I need to inform you of my confirmed EU Settlement status?
If you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, you do not have to provide evidence of your EU pre or settled status once you have obtained it. However, if you wish to do so, please contact Hrimmigration@lboro.ac.uk to make the necessary arrangements.
From 1 July 2021, a passport or national identity card can no longer be used for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals (except Irish nationals) to prove your right to work in the UK. You will need to use the Home Office’s online service to obtain a share code (https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status) in order for your immigration status to be viewed online. Irish nationals can continue to use their passport or passport card to prove their right to work.
Further information on right to work checks post the EU transition period can be found on the UK Government website and further information on the Common Travel Area can be found here
Am I able to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme while I am overseas?
Yes, but you will need to have access to the EU Exit: ID Document Check app as we won’t be able to support you in the identity stage of your application if you are overseas.
I am working overseas due to COVID-19 and only have pre-settled status, will this affect my eligibility to apply for settled status?
Potentially yes, if you have pre-settled status you must usually not have an absence from the UK of more than 6 months in a rolling 12-month period. However, there are some exceptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but these may require evidence, therefore you may need proof for example, that you could not fly back to the UK or that you were in isolation during the period that you could travel. Just choosing to work remotely during the pandemic would not fall into one of the important reasons, and therefore please be aware of this if you have pre-settled status. You may need to restart your 5 years continuous service if you have been overseas for longer than 6 months, and if you have returned / or are returning after 1 January 2021 you may no longer be eligible for settled status so please ensure absences from the UK are taken into account. Please note, there are other exceptions aside from Covid-19 exemptions, where the amount of time outside of the UK can also be one period of a maximum of 12 months for childbirth, illness, study etc.
I have obtained my status through the EU Settlement Scheme but I have concerns around re-entry to the UK?
The Home Office have an introduction to your immigration status for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and a section is included called ‘Crossing the border’ which you may find helpful. They also have other resources online for after you have applied, https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/after-youve-applied.
We have also provided some information at the top of this page to assist you.