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Viewing and updating your pre-settled or settled status

After you’ve applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, the Home Office will email you a letter to tell you what status they’ve given you. This is known as your decision letter.

Find out what to do if you disagree with the decision.

Viewing your status

After you get your decision letter, you can view your pre-settled or settled status online on GOV.UK.

If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you will not get a card showing your pre-settled or settled status - your status is online only.

Viewing your child’s status

Your child will have their own online status. To view your child’s status on GOV.UK, you’ll need the email address or phone number you used when you applied for them.

Proving your status

You don’t need to prove your settled status until 1 January 2021.

Before 1 January 2021

You can still use your passport or ID to prove your right to work, rent or access the NHS. 

If an employer or landlord asks you to prove your settled status before 1 January 2021, this could be discrimination and you should contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

After 1 January 2021

From 1 January 2021, local councils and employers can check your status online.

Find out about your rights with pre-settled and settled status.

Showing your settled status

You don’t need to prove your settled status until 1 January 2021 - but if you want to show someone your status, you can get a shareable code on GOV.UK. Your decision letter is not proof of your status.

Showing you have a right to claim benefits

If you have settled status, you have the same right to claim benefits as UK nationals - this is called your 'right to reside'. You can use your settled status as evidence of your right to reside.

You can print off your decision letter and give it to the DWP when you go for your habitual residence test interview at a Jobcentre. The DWP will use the letter to verify your settled status with the Home Office.

If the DWP asks you for more evidence or says they can’t verify your settled status, contact your nearest Citizens Advice.

If you have pre-settled status, you might not have the right to reside for benefits. Check if you have the right to reside for benefits.

Keeping your status up to date

You need to update your online status if you renew or replace the identity document you used to apply or you change your name.  

Find out how to update your details online for the EU Settlement Scheme on GOV.UK.

If you renew or change your passport or identity card

You must send your passport or national identity card to the Home Office when you renew it or change your name on it. 

You should allow plenty of time before you travel because it might take several weeks to get your document back. 

From 1 January 2021, your online status might be checked at the border when you enter the UK. You might not be allowed into the UK if the name or number on your passport or identity card isn’t the same as your online status.

If you're from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland

If you don’t already have a biometric residence card or permit, you’ll get an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card. Make sure you take it with you when you travel - you need it to enter the UK. 

If you already have a biometric residence permit

You can continue to use your permit to enter the UK.

You can swap your permit for an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card on GOV.UK if both:

  • you get settled status

  • your original permit doesn’t show you have indefinite leave to remain

If you have settled status, the EU Settlement Scheme card will help you enter the UK when you travel and show you have the same right to claim benefits as UK nationals.

If you already have a biometric residence card

You can still use your card to enter the UK until 31 December 2020. After this, you’ll need to use an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card.

You can also swap your original card for an EU Settlement Scheme card:

  • when you get pre-settled or settled status

  • if your original card is lost, stolen or expired

  • if you upgrade from pre-settled to settled status

Your original card proves you’re a family member of an EEA citizen, but the EU Settlement Scheme card doesn’t. This means if you swap your original card for an EU Settlement Scheme card, you might need to get a visa to enter your family member’s country.  

You can swap your original card for an EU Settlement Scheme card on GOV.UK. Make sure you choose ‘biometric residence card’ and not ‘permit’ when you apply.

UAT (Release)