EU settlement scheme - information for doctoral researchers
This message is to Doctoral Researchers in MPS who are in the UK based on some form of EU free movement rights (i.e., do not hold a visa). This may include
- - EU / EEA / Swiss citizens
- - non-EEA national family members of such persons
- - and possibly further categories of people
If in doubt, you can find out at
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/eligibility
. . . and/or attend one of the briefing sessions at the bottom of this page.
This page is specifically for those going on fieldwork trips or other long-term absences from the UK as part of their studies (though maybe useful for others, too).
As you are hopefully aware, you must secure ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled’ status to have a continued residency right (and to continue studying) after 30 June 2021. Everyone needs to do this. Your children or family members with you also need this.
Once you have pre-settled status, you can be absent from the UK for up to two years without losing pre-settled status (for example, go on an LTA/field trip).
In some cases the application is quick and easy (requiring only a passport and a smart phone), but (as I know from personal experience) in others it can be more protracted, involve sending of ID documents or attending a UKVI centre, so please do not delay this, and in particular make sure it happens before you start any LTA trip.
What about ‘settled status’ ? This is a form of ‘indefinite leave to remain’, i.e. permanent residency (which is also one condition for British citizenship). Pre-settled can be upgraded to settled following (normally) five years of continuous residency. Gaps of up to six months in any 12-month period are permitted, and/or one instance of up to 12 months for a specified reason, which includes study. If you stay outside the UK for longer, this 5-year clock would be reset unless you can show that you should still be considered resident (whether this will be accepted may be at a caseworker’s discretion). If this is important and relevant to you (e.g. if you plan to go on LTA for more than a year) you will need to retain evidence (or revise your fieldwork plans).
Recommended actions:
1. Apply for pre-settled status, if you haven’t already done so. Everyone (who wants to stay beyond June 2021) needs to do this. If you think you already meet the requirements for settled status, you can apply for that directly. An application can be started at the link above.
2. You are encouraged to attend one of the EU Settlement Briefing sessions listed below, where you can also get expert advice.
3. If you go on fieldwork/LTA, particularly if absent from the UK for more than 12 months, keep a UK bank account open and retain evidence of any trips (and dates) back to the UK during the LTA. (E.g. flight documentation.)
The School Office will be happy to issue you with documentation on the purpose of LTA trips to help you with accumulating residency for settled status; or you can contact RSA Office in Sussex House.
I’m grateful to Sara Dyer for being very prompt and helpful in this matter, and for Fabrizio Salvatore for championing it in the School.
Best wishes
Prof Sebastian Jaeger
MPS Director of Doctoral Studies, 13 January 2020.
Book onto an EU Settlement Scheme briefing session
International Student Support is running regular briefing sessions to share with you why we think it is a good idea for Sussex students to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme and to guide you through the application process.
To book a date via Eventbrite, choose from one of the following dates (others will be added in due course):
- Wednesday 19 February 2020, 2-3pm, Fulton B Lecture Theatre. Book here.
- Wednesday 4 March 2020, 2-3pm, Fulton B Lecture Theatre. Book here.
- Wednesday 18 March 2020, 2-3pm, Fulton B Lecture Theatre. Book here.
Contact Sara Dyer if you would like to see further sessions arranged. You may find more information on the Sussex Brexit Hub webpages which are updated frequently.