Information for EU, EEA and Swiss students
Visa requirement
Before 31 December 2020, students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are able to travel to the UK and study without the need for a visa. After this date, students who have not successfully applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (including students who have already begun their studies in the UK) must obtain a visa under the new student visa route.
The rights of Irish citizens are not affected by Brexit, but if you are an Irish citizen you may still apply to the scheme if you wish to do so.
EU settlement scheme
After 31 December 2020, if you wish to continue to live and work in the UK you must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by no later than 30 June 2021. Applications are open to everyone and there is no fee attached to your application. Successful applicants to the scheme receive either settled or pre-settled status.
Settled status
You’ll usually get settled status if you’ve:
started living in the UK by 31 December 2020
lived in the UK for a continuous 5-year period (known as ‘continuous residence’)
Five years’ continuous residence means that for 5 years in a row you’ve been in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 6 months in any 12 month period. The exceptions are:
one period of up to 12 months for an important reason (for example, childbirth, serious illness, study, vocational training or an overseas work posting)
compulsory military service of any length
time you spent abroad as a Crown servant, or as the family member of a Crown servant
time you spent abroad in the armed forces, or as the family member of someone in the armed forces
You can stay in the UK as long as you like if you get settled status. You’ll also be able to apply for British citizenship if you’re eligible.
Pre-settled status
If you do not have 5 years’ continuous residence when you apply, you’ll usually get pre-settled status. You must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
You can then apply to change this to settled status once you’ve got 5 years’ continuous residence. You must do this before your pre-settled status expires.
If you’ll reach 5 years’ continuous residence at some point by 31 December 2020, you can choose to wait to apply until you reach 5 years’ continuous residence. This means that if your application is successful, you’ll get settled status without having to apply for pre-settled status first.
You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status.
Information and support
The United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) have detailed information on the EU Settlement scheme and other issues relating to EU, EEA and Swiss nationals:
The UK Government website has a section for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals which contains information on the EU Settlement Scheme, the Application form, policy guidance and other important information:
The Free Movement Blog has a useful section on the EU Settlement Scheme:
if you need further help with your application to the scheme, please contact Student Services on studentsupport@london.amity.edu.
Frequently asked questions
1. How does Brexit affect my course fee and access to student finance?
If you are a current student or starting your course in the 2020-21 academic year, you will also continue to receive financial support for your studies for the duration of your course, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for student finance.
If you begin your course in the 2020-21 academic year or earlier, you are eligible for home fee status for the duration of your course. This means that you shall be charged the same tuition fee as UK students.
If you begin your course after the 2020-21 academic year, you are not eligible for the home student fee and shall not have access funds from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:
You are able to benefit from the citizens rights agreements
You are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland
2. After I finished my course, can I remain in the UK?
Yes, if you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and successfully apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
3. Do I need to know about the EU Settlement Scheme if I am returning back to my country after my studies?
Yes. Even if you will complete your course before the earliest deadline of 31 December 2020, applying for EU settled or pre-settled status will give you more options for your future. For example there could be delays in your course completion, or you may change your mind later and decide to remain in the UK to work or for personal reasons. It is safer to apply now, regardless of your future plans, because after the deadline 31 December 2020 or 30 June 2021, you will no longer have an automatic right to reside in the UK.
4. Do I need to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme if I already have an EEA Residence Permit Card or Permanent Residence Card in the UK?
Yes. After the deadline of 31 December 2020 (or 30 June 2021 if there is a deal) all entitlements derived from EU law will no longer apply in the UK. 5-year residency cards and permanent residency cards will no longer be valid. This means that you would need to apply under the new EU Settlement Scheme.
5. What happens if I took a break in studies and left the UK?
If you have absences from the UK which are less than 6 months in any 12-month period you can still be considered as being continuously resident in the UK. You will not need to provide evidence of these absences.
A single absence of up to 12 months for an important reason can also be considered as continuous residence in the UK, for example a study abroad year.
6. What about my family members who reside overseas?
If you have family members who are EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, in the event of a deal, they can come to the UK as normal before 31 December 2020 and will need to apply for Pre-Settled Status before 30 June 2021. In the event of the UK exiting the EU with no deal, they would need to be resident in the UK before the departure date and apply for Pre-Settled Status by 31 December 2020.
If you settle in the UK, your existing family members can come to join you, regardless of whether there is a deal or not, until 12 April 2022. After this date, family members will need to apply for the appropriate visa in order to come to the UK to join you.
