EU / EEA Students and Brexit Advice

Page Last updated 07.08.23

The Immigration and International Student Advice Team have put together a full and comprehensive guide to Brexit, the EU Settlement Scheme and frequently used terms, however, the guide below provides more information for new students and we will be building an FAQ section based on the questions we receive.

If the guide below doesn't answer your questions please email us using [email protected] and a member of the team will assist with your query.

What is the current situation?

The UK left the EU on 31st January 2020 and is now in a transition period which ends at 11pm on 31st December 2020. The UK is still subject to EU law and 'free movement' rules until 11pm on 31st December 2020.

At the moment the EU and the UK are negotiating a way forward and trade deals. At the moment the rights of EU and EEA nationals in the UK are protected until 11pm on 31st December 2020, but action is required if you wish to stay in the UK after this date.

Students will either need to apply for leave under the EU Settlement Scheme or under the new Student Immigration route, further information on the Student Route is available on our website.

The drop down menus below will provide advice for your situation, and guide you on what to do next.

To be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants must be in the UK before 11pm on 31st December 2020 and then make a valid applicaiton ot the scheme before 30th June 2021. Additional applicants must be a citizen of one of the following countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland - Irish citizens will not need to apply, but family members from outside the UK and Ireland will.
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Switzerland

The infomation below deals with new students who are coming to the UK to study in the 2020/2021 academic year.  It is important you read the section below which reflects your arrival date and time in the UK as different immigration options will be available to you.

 

Students who arrive in the UK before 11pm on the 31st December 2020, should make applications for the EU Settlement Scheme.  The Immigration and International Student Advice Team will be running workshops during the International Welcome Programme and throughout the first term for advice.  They will also be offering one to one appointments to support students through applications, if you would like University support and guidance.

If you choose to travel outside of the UK after the 31st December 2020, but before you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to carry proof of residency in the UK when you return. We would advise that, in addition to a student status letter, you carry one of the following documents:

  • Proof of entry to the UK before 31st December 2020 i.e. flight tickets – this is the best form of proof you can have.
  • Tenancy Agreement dated before 31st December 2020

You can find guidance on how to make your application on our dedicated EU Settlement Scheme Application Page. Appointment booking information is also available on that page.

We strongly encourage our EU students to apply for the Settlement Scheme as soon as possible.

The UK Government has confirmed that those entering the UK for the first time from 1st January 2021 will need to apply for immigration permission under the new immigration route available for EU and EEA citizens. EU citizens will therefore need to get a visa for all activities, other than short-term visits.

The new student route will go live in October 2020 and we will publish guides to applying for students who, for personal reasons, are unable to come to the UK before the December deadline. 

We strongly recommend that incoming EU students arrive in the UK before 31 December 2020 to ensure their eligibility for the EU Settlement Scheme. They will then have until 30 June 2021 to apply.

If you do need to apply for the new student route, below is the information available at the time of writing.

The Student route visa will replace the current Points-Based Student Tier 4 visa, and the new route will build upon the current system in place.

The UK Government hope to streamline the new Student Route for both the sponsor and for the student.
Students will require a total of 70 (non-tradeable) points to be granted leave. Points will be awarded for meeting the requirements, which comprise of:

  • Sponsorship requirements
  • English language requirements
  • Maintenance requirements

Students will be able to apply for their immigration permission to come to the UK a maximum of six months before the start of their course.

Students at Undergraduate level will still be subject to the cap on study length, but for students studying at a postgraduate level the cap will be removed. Students will still need to show they are progressing academically in their studies when making a further application in the UK.

The Home Office will publish more information about the new Points-Based System later this year. We will provide further guidance to students and applicants on our webpages as soon as this is released.

Applications can be made in the UK or, in some circumstances, overseas. All applications to the scheme are now free.

The IISA team are offering appointments to assist in making your EU Settlement Scheme application. Please email the IISA team to request an appointment.  You will need to bring the following to your appointment:

  • your passport,
  • National Insurance number,
  • date you first entered the UK (month and year is fine)

If you choose to make the application without the support of IISA, and have any questions please contact us and we will do our best to assist.

Applications are completed online  after using the identity app (currently only available on compatible android devices and iPhone 7 or newer devices) to upload your identity documents.

To make the application, download the ID checking app and follow the on screen instructions – you will need a passport with a Biometric Chip to undertake this first stage.  You will be asked to confirm your contact details, personal details and take a selfie style passport photo.

You may find you need to undertake certain steps in the ID checking app more than once.  This is because either the information wasn’t captured correctly or because photos didn’t meet the required standard.  If you have continued problems using the app, please contact us for advice and support.

Once you have completed all the steps in the app, you will be directed to the online application form.  The form asks you to check the details uploaded in the app, and then answer questions on your previous immigration, criminal and travel history. You will also be asked to complete a declaration confirming all the information you have provided is true and accurate.

A paper form will be made available once the scheme is fully rolled out but can only be used in exceptional circumstances. Please contact us if you believe you may need to use the paper form, so we can provide you with advice.

Before starting the application, you should have the following documents with you:

  • Current Passport
  • UK National Insurance (NI) Number, if you have one
  • If you don’t have an NI number, you can use alternative evidence from the documents listed in Annex A of the Home Office Guidance.

On completion of the application, UKVI will assess your application and email you with a decision in due course - we have explained Pre-settled and Settled status in the next sections of this page.  If you disagree with the outcome of your application, please contact us for further advice.

UKCISA, the UK Council for International Student Affairs, has published extensive guidance on Brexit, the current rights of EEA and Swiss Nationals and their families, and the UK's proposed Immigration routes for after Brexit. You can access the advice on the UKCISA website.

The AIRE Centre is a specialist charity whose mission is to promote awareness of European law rights and assist marginalised individuals and those in vulnerable circumstances to assert those rights. The IISA team may refer you to this charity if you have a complex case or need specialist advice.

Contact the IISA Team

The University Immigration and International Student Advice team can provide individual advice for your own individual situation. Contact us here.