Question

[Mabsa_guy]

Hi all,

I am an EU citizen and have moved to the UK in September 2014 to take a 1-year MSc programme. Since July 2015 I am working in the UK. Since I have completed over 4 years in the UK, I was thinking of applying to PR. However, I have a few questions:

1. Am I only allowed to apply for it from September 2019 onwards or can I start the application process some months before?

2. I was a student for 1 year. Does that pose any barriers to this process? I am assuming it will count towards the 5 years.

Many thanks for your help.

[sfljiaf]

1. Correct, you will only get PR from 5 years after your arrival. By that time, if Brexit goes ahead, it'll be "settled status" rather than PR.

2. For PR, if you were a student you would have to show that you had comprehensive health insurance. (NHS doesn't count. EHIC card from your home country does though, I think.) I think for settled status this isn't a requirement anymore though.

[kamoe]

1. Am I only allowed to apply for it from September 2019 onwards or can I start the application process some months before?

You can start preparing the application and gathering the required documents in advance, in fact, it is a good idea not to leave things for the last minute. But you will only be granted PR when you can demonstrate 5 years; send your application after that date.

2. I was a student for 1 year. Does that pose any barriers to this process? I am assuming it will count towards the 5 years.

Your student time can only count toward the 5 years if you held Comprehensive Sickness Insurance throughout that time.

[kamoe]

1. Correct, you will only get PR from 5 years after your arrival. By that time, if Brexit goes ahead, it'll be "settled status" rather than PR.

Also, this.