You Already Live in the UK? You Can Become a Permanent Resident
If you live in the UK, you have until June 30, 2021, to regularize your residency status. Failing that, you will be deemed illegal. These measures apply to both children and adults and are essential. So, be very mindful of this deadline! Regarding the European Settlement Scheme (registration process for European citizens), two scenarios are envisaged:
- If you have lived in the UK for more than five years and have not left the territory for more than six consecutive months, you can apply for Settled Status. In this case, you will be allowed to stay indefinitely and be absent for a maximum of five consecutive years.
- If you have lived in the UK for less than five years and settled there before December 31, 2020, you can apply for Pre-Settled Status. In which case, you can stay in the country and enjoy your rights as long as you do not leave the country for more than two years. Of course, once the conditions are met to claim Settled Status, you can apply for it free of charge.
These statuses are therefore essential to continue your life in the UK and be able to benefit from a range of rights. Indeed, you need them to study and work, but also to enter and leave the country, claim benefits or retirement rights, and access the British health system, the National Health Service (NHS).
For more information, you can visit the official website of the British government.
Acquiring British Nationality
For European residents in the UK, obtaining British nationality may be desirable. To do this, you must have lived less than 90 days outside the territory in the year preceding the application, have resided there for a total of more than 5 years with no more than 450 days of absence, pass an English test, and pass the national culture and history test, the Life in the UK Test.
Intended for people aged between 18 and 65 (except in exceptional health conditions), this Life in the UK Test costs £50 and consists of 24 multiple-choice questions with a minimum score of 75% required to pass. In existence since November 1, 2005, it is reputed to be quite difficult, even for natives, and lasts 45 minutes. You can find e-learning sessions to prepare for this test, which is quite significant.
Finally, to acquire British nationality, a police inquiry is conducted to determine if you are of “good character.” For this, you must have a clean criminal record.
You Want to Settle in the UK?
From 2021, if you are a European national, the rules for settling in the UK will change. Indeed, from this moment onwards, they will be based on a points-based immigration system, allowing the obtaining of a work visa. The idea is, therefore, for the country to welcome only highly qualified workers. Among the criteria to fulfill to settle across the Channel, it will thus be necessary:
- The minimum annual salary for the position assigned to you should be £25,600 gross, which can decrease to the limit of £20,480 for positions where a shortage is witnessed,
- Be a highly qualified scientist or researcher if you have not yet found a job there,
- Have a high school diploma,
- Be able to certify English language skills.
Thus, following Brexit, the conditions for residence, work, and stay in the UK will be firmer and more restrictive after the transition period ends in 2021. Pre-Settled Status, Settled Status, Life in the UK Test for acquiring nationality, or even a visa application for stays longer than six months, will soon be necessary!
