Switching from pre-settled to settled status
If you have pre-settled status, you can usually switch to settled status after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years in a row. It’s free to apply.
Settled status can make it easier to prove your right to live in the UK permanently, as well as to claim public funds. We advise you to apply as soon as you become eligible, to secure your rights in the UK.
If you do not switch to settled status, the UK government has announced that it will extend people's pre-settled status by 5 years, shortly before it’s due to expire.
You should receive an email when your status has been updated. You can also check your UKVI account.
It is length of your continuous residence in the UK, not the time elapsed since you were granted pre-settled status, which makes you eligible for settled status.
When to switch
You can apply to switch to settled status as soon as you’re eligible. This is usually after you’ve lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 5 years in a row (known as ‘continuous residence’).
The government should count the 5 years from the day you started your continuous residence, not the day you were granted pre-settled status.
You may not be considered eligible for settled status if during the 5 years you spent more than 6 months outside the UK in a 12-month period.
How to switch
To switch to settled status, you will need to apply again to the EU Settlement Scheme and prove you meet the requirements. This means you will need proof of your identity, evidence of your continuous residence in the UK, and where applicable evidence of a family relationship.
You can apply online, and the application is free. If your application is successful, you should receive an email from UKVI confirming your status.
If your ID has changed
If your identity document has changed since you applied for pre-settled status, you will need to update your UKVI account with the details of your new identity document before you can apply to switch to settled status.