Amin K. Excellent service. QC responded promptly, provided me with thorough, precise and easy to follow advice. Exactly what I needed when I was stressing about my daughter's citizenship status. Thank you so much.
The EU Settlement Scheme, and which status fits you
The EU Settlement Scheme protects the right to stay of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family, who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. You get pre-settled status with under five years’ residence and settled status with five years or more. There’s no Home Office fee, and late applications need reasonable grounds.
- No Home Office fee
- Pre-settled or settled status
- Late applications need reasonable grounds
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
Reviewed by Qiyin Chuah, IAA Level 3 · Last reviewed
Compare EU Settlement Scheme options
The scheme covers EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020. There’s no fee and no health surcharge.
Comparison table, scroll sideways to see every route
| Requirement | Under 5 years Pre-settled status | 5 years or more Settled status | From outside the UK EUSS family permit | Family members Retained right of residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and family members who do not yet qualify for settled status | Eligible applicants who usually have 5 years’ continuous residence | Eligible family members joining a qualifying person in the UK from overseas | Eligible family members whose relationship ended through death, divorce or other qualifying circumstances |
| What it gives you | Permission to live, work and study in the UK; initially 5 years, with automatic extensions | Indefinite leave, with no time limit | Entry for up to 6 months, with permission to work and study | Eligibility to obtain or retain EUSS status independently, if requirements are met |
| Deadline | Most initial applications were due by 30 June 2021; later applications require eligibility or reasonable grounds | Apply when eligible; automatic conversion may apply | No deadline to apply for the permit; usually apply to EUSS within 3 months of UK arrival | Depends on your circumstances and applicable EUSS deadline |
| Fee | No fee | No fee | No fee | No fee for eligible EUSS applications |
| Leads to | Settled status once eligible; conversion may be automatic | British citizenship, often after 12 months if eligible | Pre-settled or settled status if eligible and an EUSS application is made | Pre-settled or settled status depending on eligibility |
| Full guide | Pre-settled status guide | Settled status guide | EUSS family permit guide | Retained right of residence guide |
Most pre-settled status is now extended automatically, and some is converted to settled status. Summary only: each guide sets out the conditions.
What every EUSS application needs
The scheme is simpler than most routes, but these still apply in most cases.
- Identity and nationality
A valid passport or national identity card.
- Residence in the UK
Evidence you were living here by 31 December 2020, and for how long.
- The family relationship
For family members, evidence of your relationship to the EU citizen.
- Continuous residence
Absences can break it, so keep a record of time abroad.
- Suitability
Serious criminality can lead to refusal.
Missed the deadline?
The main deadline was 30 June 2021 for first-time applicants relying on UK residence, but late applications are still accepted if you have reasonable grounds for the delay.
- Explain the delay. Illness, caring responsibilities or not knowing you needed to apply can count.
- Show your residence. Evidence you were living here by the end of 2020.
- Apply as soon as you can. The longer the delay, the harder it is to explain.
- Protect your rights meanwhile. A pending application can protect your right to work and rent.
What the EU Settlement Scheme costs
There’s no Home Office fee for the EU Settlement Scheme or the EUSS family permit, and no Immigration Health Surcharge. You may still pay for documents, translations and professional help.
| Application | Home Office fee | Health surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-settled or settled status | No fee | Not payable |
| EUSS family permit | No fee | Not payable |
| British citizenship (after settled status) Adults | £1,839 | Not payable |
Home Office fees per applicant, from the 8 April 2026 schedule.
How we can help
From a first application to a refusal, at a fixed fee agreed before we start.
Visa application package We prepare and submit your application from start to finish. See what’s included → Application checking You prepare it, a regulated adviser reviews it before you submit. See what’s included → Visa appeals If you’re refused, we assess the merits and represent you. See what’s included →
What our clients say
What individuals, families and businesses say about working with QC Immigration.
Amin K. 
Monya R. QC have been invaluable throughout Home Office procedures for Tier 2 /ILR applications. The entire team is dedicated, professional and responds swiftly to queries. The application process was straightforward thanks to QC's skilful team. Highly recommended.
Danille D.
Once again, QC Immigration managed to help me with my visa extension. Without them, I'd have to deal with the stress of doing the application on my own. We made the right choice of continuing to work with QC Immigration. Thank you so much!!!
Mary
Outstanding service! QC provided precise, easy to follow advice and support throughout my permanent residence application process. The team is friendly, very professional, with invaluable in depth knowledge and advice that made the all process a pleasant experience. Highly recommended!
Ching-Fei L.
QC Immigration handled our application in a way that was truly professional, clear and to the point. They explained all the options and procedures clearly to us and showed great respect for our privacy. The whole process was trouble-free and the result successful! Great value for money!
Jessica C.
The are truly amazing and lovely as well as extremely professional. They not only helped us with all the paper work but also were supportive when we were worried and getting anxious. I will definitely contact them again when the next step comes and I highly recommend them.
Warwick B.
QC guided me from application to naturalisation and passport with efficiency, knowledge, patience and care. They were recommended to me by a prestigious Law firm and I recommend them to you...
Anna R.
Having engaged QC Immigration to support my citizenship application I could not have been more satisfied with the service. My case was handled consistently by the same person. Ligia guided me through the process and made it all very simple. Any questions I had along the way were answered promptly. I have been putting off my application for years feeling overwhelmed by the bureaucracy involved. With QC Immigration support I was able to secure a successful outcome quickly and with no stress whatsoever. Charge for the service was very reasonable considering the quality of support and the responsiveness.Read the full review
Diego G.
Xiaohan was so helpful with the process and we got accepted!
Tala A.
My partner and I had a great experience with QC. Both Dorota and Ninder were professional and attentive. I’d definitely work with them again.
Scott C. I recently engaged the services of QC Immigration to assist me in getting my first British passport. I applied from outside the British Isles and my situation was somewhat complex. Ninder and Dorota from QC treated me with the utmost of professionalism and courtesy. They took the time to review and explain my situation, and guide me through the steps of the application process, ensuring that my application stayed on track. With their expert assistance, my application was processed smoothly by HMPO and I received my new passport with no issues. I would highly recommend the services of QC Immigration to anyone who needs assistance navigating immigration, citizenship, or a VISA application to the UK.Read the full review
Maria R. We couldn’t be happier with QC Immigration. My partner and I applied for the UK Unmarried Partner Visa from Italy and received the decision in only 5 days after the biometrics appointment: truly incredible. Dorota followed us with exceptional kindness and professionalism, always available and supportive despite the large amount of documents we had to prepare. A special thank you also to Ninder! We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the entire process. We are over the moon and extremely grateful. Absolutely recommended!Read the full review
Nicholas S.
QC Immigration successfully secured British Citizenship through descent for my son. It was by no means guaranteed, but their extremely thorough approach and direction ensured that everything was done clearly and successfully. A special thanks to Ligia W. who supervised the whole process with patience and diligence. Many thanks! they are extremely good at what they do and they deliver!Read the full review
Anamaria C. I am deeply grateful to Ninder J. for her invaluable support regarding my son’s citizenship application. After waiting for over a year without progress, she kindly advised me to reach out to our regional MP for assistance. Thanks to her guidance, the application was successfully reviewed and resolved. What stands out most is that Ninder offered this advice freely, without charging, simply as a gesture of good citizenship and genuine care. Her professionalism, generosity, and commitment to helping others truly impressed me. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninder J. to anyone seeking honest, knowledgeable, and compassionate legal guidance. Her support made a real difference for my family, and I will always be thankful.Read the full review
Holland W.
Just an amazing experience with this team and their information, service and advice have been amazingly helpful.
Nikul K.
My experience with QC Immigration was outstanding. Ninder provided the most accurate and straightforward guidance. She explained every detail with great clarity and honesty, which made the whole process easy to understand and stress-free. Her expertise and professionalism are truly impressive. I’m very thankful for her support and would strongly recommend QC Immigration to anyone who wants reliable and clear immigration adviceRead the full review
Solomon P. Good service 👍
Ramzi H.
I want to thank QC Immigration, especially Dorota, and Ninder for their great support. My case wasn’t easy at all – I had received a refusal with a 10-year ban because the Home Office considered one of my documents suspicious. It was a very stressful time, but Dorota took over my application and handled everything with so much care and attention. She always explained things clearly, kept me updated . What really makes Dorota special is not only her professionalism, but also her passion and the way she genuinely cares. She fought hard for fairness in my case. After months of waiting, I finally received a positive outcome, and I am sure this wouldn’t have happened without her. I’m truly grateful to Dorota. If you are looking for someone who is not only highly professional but also kind, supportive, and truly dedicated, I can’t recommend her enough.Read the full review
Emilie W.
Competent, empathetic and knowledgable support and guidance through my application for a student visa !! A special thank you to Sara and Xiaohan who supported me through it and who was always quick with answers.
Hakunawadi P.
The team is exceptionally professional, and meticulous. No excuses. I would recommend them to anyone in need any day. Thank you very much.
Questions about the EU Settlement Scheme
For route-specific questions, see each guide.
Yes, if you have reasonable grounds for missing the 30 June 2021 deadline. Family members joining someone with EUSS status can also still apply. The Home Office decides whether your reasons are reasonable, so explain them clearly and give evidence where you can.
The Home Office now extends most pre-settled status automatically, and has begun converting some people to settled status when they qualify. However, they may not do so if they have grounds to believe that you no longer meet the residence requirements. You can still apply yourself once you have five years’ continuous residence. Check your status online regularly so you know where you stand.
To keep continuous residence for settled status, absences should not exceed 30 months in the last 60 months. Once you have settled status, you can usually spend up to five years outside the UK.
Close family members, such as a partner, children and dependent parents, can often join you through the EUSS family permit if the relationship existed by 31 December 2020. Other family members, or relationships formed later, may need a different visa.
Usually, yes. Many people can apply for citizenship 12 months after completing the qualifying residence for settled status, or straight away if they’re married to a British citizen. You’ll need to pass the Life in the UK test, meet the English requirement and meet the residence rules.
You can usually ask for an appeal. If the Right of Appeal is not granted, you may pursue a Pre-action Protocol for Judicial Review. Many refusals are about evidence of residence or of the relationship, which can often be fixed with better documents. Keep to the deadline in the decision letter.
Tell us what you need help with
A regulated adviser reviews your situation and comes back with an honest next step within one working day.
- An IAA-regulated UK immigration adviser reviews your case.
- A personal reply with your next step, within one working day.
- No payment required. Fixed fees if you proceed.
- 4.9 on Google
- IAA Level 3 · the highest tier
- 7,000+ clients helped
- Fast-track support
Prefer to talk? Book a call.
