At First Law Solicitors, we provide specialist advice for European nationals and their family members moving from Pre Settled Status to Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Our solicitors ensure that every stage of your transition is legally sound, digitally verified, and compliant with Home Office policy updates for 2026.
With our offices based in Manchester and our clients across the United Kingdom and Europe, we combine practical immigration expertise with an understanding of the challenges families face in securing their long-term future in the UK.
Pre Settled Status allows EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who began living in the United Kingdom before 31 December 2020 to remain in the country temporarily. Settled Status grants permanent residence known in law as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence.
As of January 2026, the Home Office has introduced automatic digital notifications to remind Pre Settled Status holders to apply for Settled Status before expiry. However, these reminders do not replace your legal responsibility to ensure timely submission.
Our solicitors monitor your eligibility dates and evidence thresholds, managing your application from eligibility review through to final Home Office confirmation, ensuring there is no break in lawful residence.
To qualify for Settled Status, you must have lived continuously in the United Kingdom for five years. The residence period is counted from the date you first began your qualifying stay under the EU Settlement Scheme or a previous EU law right.
You must not have been outside the United Kingdom for more than six months in any twelve-month period, except for one permitted absence of up to twelve months for important reasons such as work posting, study, or serious illness.
For family members, eligibility depends on their continued relationship with the EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen sponsor and proof that both parties still live together in the United Kingdom.
Our solicitors conduct detailed residence audits using a combination of digital evidence (such as HMRC, DWP, or banking data) and personal documents to confirm compliance with the Home Office’s continuous residence rules.
Following the High Court ruling in December 2022 and subsequent Home Office reforms implemented fully in September 2025, all Pre Settled Status holders now receive automatic two-year extensions if they have not yet qualified for Settled Status.
However, this automatic renewal does not grant permanent status. You must still apply for Settled Status once you reach five years of residence to protect your rights to remain indefinitely, work without restriction, and access public services.
We ensure that every client’s application is submitted well in advance of expiry, avoiding administrative lapses that could affect employment or tenancy verification checks.
Since January 2026, all EU Settlement Scheme records operate exclusively under the digital immigration system governed by the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA).
There are no physical residence cards. Your right to live and work in the United Kingdom is held digitally in your UKVI account. When you move from Pre Settled to Settled Status, the system automatically updates your digital profile, replacing your previous status.
At First Law Solicitors, we manage all digital correspondence, identity verification, and document uploads securely through our encrypted client portal. Each application is digitally signed using Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) to meet DUAA 2025 compliance standards.
Family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who hold Pre Settled Status may apply for Settled Status alongside or after the main applicant, provided their relationship remains genuine and subsisting.
We prepare detailed evidence to confirm continued cohabitation and dependency, ensuring compliance with Home Office standards and safeguarding each family member’s right to remain together in the United Kingdom.
Our solicitors also assist with complex scenarios such as relationship breakdown, retained rights of residence, and derivative rights for carers and children.
Once granted Settled Status, you may live, work, and study in the United Kingdom indefinitely and access public funds. You may also spend up to five consecutive years abroad without losing your status (four years for Swiss citizens).
After holding Settled Status for twelve months, you can apply to naturalise as a British citizen if you meet the residence, character, and English language requirements.
We provide end-to-end support for your citizenship application, including residence calculation, Life in the UK test preparation, and document verification.
Strategic Oversight: Each case is handled by a senior solicitor who understands both EU and domestic immigration frameworks.
Digital Expertise: We manage your full application through DUAA-compliant systems and use secure digital authentication for all submissions.
Continuity Planning: We ensure there is no gap between your Pre Settled and Settled Status, protecting your right to work, rent, and travel.
Comprehensive Family Support: Our team handles linked applications to ensure every family member transitions together without disruption.
At First Law Solicitors, our mission is to turn temporary residence into permanent stability, combining precision, care, and foresight in every application.
If you currently hold Pre Settled Status and wish to apply for Settled Status, contact First Law Solicitors today for trusted legal support.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation with an immigration solicitor.
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