FAQ

I have been unable to return to the UK due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, will I lose my pre-Settled Status?

You will not lose your pre-settled status if your absence is shorter than two years. However, you should be aware of how your absences may affect your ‘continuous residence’ and your eligibility to apply for settled status in future. The general rule is that you will break your continuous residence and so not be able to apply for settled status if you are away for more than 6 months in any 12 month period with pre-settled status. But if your absence is related to Covid-19 you will not necessarily have broken your continuous residence.

To check whether you will still be eligible to apply for settled status in due course, read the ‘continuous residence’ FAQ. and our page on how absences affect your status.