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 only online.

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 did their application.

Proving your status

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

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. Contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you think you’ve been discriminated against.

From 1 January 2021

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

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

Showing you have a right to claim benefits

If you have settled status, you have the same right to claim benefits as UK citizens - this is called your 'right to reside'. 

You can use your settled status decision letter as evidence of your right to reside. Print off your decision letter when you go for your interview at the Jobcentre - they’ll use it to check your settled status.

If the Jobcentre 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 don’t automatically have the ‘right to reside’ to claim benefits. You might have the right to reside for different reasons - for example, because of things like your work or your family. Check if you have the right to reside.

Keeping your status up to date

You need to update your online status on GOV.UK if:

•  you renew or replace the identity document you used to apply - for example, if your passport expires

•  you change your name - for example, if you get married 

• you change your phone number or email address - your contact details need to be up to date so you can view or share your status

If you renew or change your passport or identity card

After you update your online status, you'll need to send your new passport or identity card to the Home Office. You should allow plenty of time before you travel because it might take several weeks to get your document back.

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

You might get a new card to prove your pre-settled or settled status depending on if you already have a biometric residence card or permit.

If you don’t have a biometric residence card or permit

You’ll get an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card by post. Make sure you take it with you when you travel - you need it to enter the UK.

If you have a biometric residence card

You can still use your card to enter the UK until 31 December 2020. You’ll need to get an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card to enter the UK after that date.

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

If you have a biometric residence permit

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

You might want to swap your permit for an EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card on GOV.UK if you get settled status and either:

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

• your original permit says you have 'no recourse to public funds'

If you have settled status, the EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence card will make it easier for you to enter the UK when you travel. It will also show you have the right to claim benefits.