Garcia Calavera

UK Residence – How to apply for Settled or Pre Settled Status

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Corona Virus is in all the news right now, but let’s not lose the long-term essential. Who does not have Settled or Pre Settled Status after 31 December 2020 will no longer have the right to reside and work in the UK. However the government of the UK also said that the deadline for applying for UK status is 30 June 2021, so nobody really knows what to make of it.

The procedure is simple and fast. All you need is an email address, a UK mobile phone number, a camera phone that supports the EU Exit application: Document ID, electronic passport (the type with chip), NINO number and possibly a proof of residency. (utility bill, bank statement, P60 form if you are self employed). It can be done without the application on the phone, but this means sending the original documents by mail, a process that takes much longer and is riskier. I also definitely recommend using your passport when applying. You can also apply with the national ID card, but I have heard many cases when they were very delayed with the granting of Settled Status due to the lengthy procedure of manual verification of Identity cards.

 The first part of the application consists in verifying the identity with the help of the application mentioned earlier. Open the EU Exit app and follow the easy steps from there:

  • You will be asked to make a clear picture of the passport main data page.
  • Afterwards you will be asked for the mobile phone number, on which you will receive a text with a verification code;
  • Activate the NFC function of the Smart phone, then place the phone with the screen up on the passport to scan the electronic data on the Passport’s Chip. If you do not hit the Chip at first, gently move the phone attached to the passport up and down;
  • In the next step the application asks you to take a selfie using the front camera of the phone. In the camera interface of the application you will probably notice that the image is elongated, but do not worry, you will have the opportunity to see the final picture and confirm if you like it or want to take another one.
  • Access your email and find the verification email sent by the application. Click the verification link of your email to confirm that it is indeed your email. Go back to the application.
  • You will be shown the data recovered from the passport, check it carefully and when you are satisfied, press the Submit button.

This was the first part of the process. Next up, you have to access the site indicated by the application (meaning HERE) to complete the process of obtaining Settled Status in the UK. Here are the steps:

  • Confirm what you would like to do: “Continue your application for EU Settlement Scheme” – Continue
  • Complete all 5 sections of the application, the first and last section, respectively “Identity” and “Digital Photo“, should already appear as Completed, being previously completed using the application.
  • Section 2: “Application Type” – Do you have dual nationality?, Do you have any previous nationalities? , Do you have a document certifying UK permanent residence?, Have you been granted indefinite leave to Remain (ILR), Continue;
  • Section 3: Residence in the UK, or proof of residence in the UK. The first question will be: Are you in the UK now? ; What is your address in the UK? Postcode; Have you used any other names? Do you have a National Insurance Number (NINO)? If the answer is YES, what is the number? . Check the answers and click Continue;
  • Section 4: Criminal Convictions. Here we have the following questions: Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense or arrested or charged with an offense? This includes any violation in any other country, not just the UK; Have you ever supported, encouraged or been involved in: terrorist activities, war crimes, an extremist organization? Answer and click on Continue;
    Once all sections are marked with “Completed”, press the “Confirm and Continue” button.
  • You will be asked to choose personalized answers to 3 security questions, questions such as What was the first school you went to or in which city did your parents meet. Choose one from each set, and complete a memorable answer. You will need the answers if you have to go back to the application to change or update any details.
  • At the end you have a small statement to assume your own responsibility about the authenticity of the data, you will also be asked “Did you have any help completing your application?”
  • Last question: What status can you apply for? followed by “How long have you lived in the UK?” with the answers 5 years or more (which will grant you permanent Settled Status) or Less than 5 years (which will grant you 5 years valid Pre Settled Status)”. Tell the truth! They can easily check how long you have been in the country and you will liable to rejection of your application if you lie.
  • Confirm and submit. You will be taken to a page with the message “Application submited”, and you will have a reference application number there. This number will be important so keep it. Either write down the number, or wait for the confirmation email containing this number to arrive. You will also receive a separate email confirming your email address.

That’s it, the entire procedure for applying for Settled Status in the UK took less than 10 minutes. Now wait for your application to be processed. You will receive the answer by email in due time. If you have completed it correctly, you will not be refused. My wife received an answer after only two days, but I am still waiting for my answer for more than 2 weeks now due to unknown reasons. I read on the internet that it can take 1 month because they have a lot of requests. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic caused by Corona, the contact line and office is closed, requests are only made by email. And unfortunately by email I have received so far only automated replies with generic explanations regarding the processing times of applications. I’ll keep you posted when my application answer arrives. In any case, it is important and sufficient to have the confirmation email that you have at least applied.

Edit: after 6 weeks, 3 emails and 2 phone calls to their office, I finally received my PRE SETTLED Status by email.

It’s not complicated no? If any questions, please post them in the comments section or message me on the fb page (please drop a like as well to the page if you are there) and I will do my best to help. If you liked this article share it to help others.

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