EEA and Swiss Nationals/Brexit
The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020.EU Settlement Scheme
Depending on your circumstances, the EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your non-EU/EEA family members to apply for either settled or pre-settled status.
Pre-settled status
You will be eligible to apply for limited leave to remain in the UK (known as pre-settled status) if you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020, but have not yet been continuously living in the UK for 5 years. This will enable you to stay for 5 years, after which time you may be eligible to apply for settled status.
Your pre-settled status will allow you to live, work, and study in the UK without restriction.
You must have applied for pre-settled status before 30 June 2021.
Settled status
You will be eligible to apply to stay in the UK indefinitely (known as settled status) if you had been living in the UK prior to 31 December 2020, and you have now been living here continuously for 5 years. If, during the relative 5-year period, you have had absences from the UK of up to 6 months, or one period of up to 12 months in specific circumstances including serious illness or study, you can still apply for the scheme.
You must have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021.
Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Most applicants can submit their application for settled or pre-settled status online.
Students who have left the UK due to COVID 19
Information for students who have already spent time studying in the UK, but who have left due to COVID 19.
If you already have pre-settled status
If you have already obtained pre-settled status, you can leave the UK for up to 2 years, and your status will remain valid. If you wish to qualify for settled status after five years, you must not have any absence of more than six months at a time, or 12 months for certain reasons, such as a year studying abroad and further information regarding this can be found in the Policy Guidance.
Irish nationals and dual nationals
Irish nationals
If you are an Irish national, your rights in the UK are protected under the Common Travel Area arrangements therefore you are treated as being settled in the UK from the day you arrive.
Irish nationals did not need to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living, studying and working in the UK.
Non-UK/Irish family members of Irish nationals would have been required to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, if eligible.
Dual nationals
If you are a national of an EU or EEA country (or a Swiss national) and have citizenship of another non-EU/EEA country, and you entered the UK with your EU/EEA/Swiss passport or ID card prior to the end of the transitional period (i.e. prior to 31 December 2020), you will have been required to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme prior to 30 June 2021.
If you did not arrive in the UK using your EU/EEA/Swiss ID document before 31 December 2020, you will not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme, and you will need to make a visa application under the UK immigration rules.
If you were living in your EU country of nationality and you arrived in the UK prior to 31 December 2020
While full-time students have access to the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland, we recommend that you obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your country of residence prior to coming to the UK. This is because NHS staff may still request to see a EHIC when you register with a doctor (GP) and it may be necessary if you require specialist treatment. Please note you cannot apply for EHIC in the UK.
You do not need to hold a EHIC when you apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you are living in your EU country of nationality and arrived in the UK after 31 December 2020
EU/EEA /Swiss students arriving in the UK after 31 December 2020 will need to apply for entry clearance (a visa) under the Student Route. As part of the application process, you will need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and this will ensure you will have access to healthcare while in the UK.
If you do not have an EHIC card, and you are not living in your EU country of nationality
If you do not reside in your country of nationality, you may not be able to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). While obtaining a EHIC prior to travelling to the UK is generally recommended, access to the National Health Service (NHS) is available to all full-time students in Scotland.