There have been no changes to the rights or status of EU nationals in the UK following the referendum on whether the UK should remain within the EU. Having triggered Article 50, the UK Government will introduce changes to Law and Policy, but it will be some time until any changes are implemented. We will advise you on any upcoming changes once these have been introduced.

You are eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Card once you have lived in the UK for over 5 years. You would need to show that you are a ‘qualified person’ during the 5 year period. You would be considered as a qualified person if you are, working, studying, self-employed or self-sufficient.

You would be required to provide documentary evidence to the Home Office to prove that you are a qualified person for the entire 5 years period. Any periods where you were a student or self-sufficient, you would also need to show that you had comprehensive sickness insurance. This is a mandatory requirement and your application would be refused if you fail to provide evidence of your comprehensive sickness cover.

Your immediate family and dependants are also able to apply for permanent residence at the same time as you subject to meeting all the requirements. Evidence would need to be provided of the relationship. If your family members or dependants wish to apply separately or without you, they would still need to show that you have been a qualified person for the 5 years period.

British Citizenship

Once you have been granted Permanent Residence in the UK, you may apply for British Citizenship. This is a separate application and a different process. If you have completed over 6 years in the UK already, you may apply for Citizenship immediately after obtaining Permanent Residence. If you have not yet completed 6 years, you will be required to wait one year after obtaining Permanent Residence.

In order to satisfy the requirements for British Citizenship, you will be required to show that you meet the residency requirements as well as the Knowledge of English Language and Life in the UK requirement.

Once you have been granted British Citizenship, you are then eligible to apply for a British Passport.

If you would like to know more or need our help, please contact our offices.