BREXIT/EUSS for continuing students

The EU Settlement Scheme is an immigration route that allows eligible EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and their family members to live, work and study in the UK after BREXIT. If you are currently in the UK and you have not yet applied for the EUSS then you should not need to do anything further on receipt of that status.

If you have not yet applied for the EUSS then you should do so as soon as possible (you MUST do this by 30th June 2021 at the very latest). It will allow you to continue to access the National Health Service and could allow access to home fee status and student funding in the future (your current course should already protected as relates to fees and funding).

If you are in the UK and you have not yet been granted EUSS you will need either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and/or private healthcare insurance to cover any time between arrival in the UK and EUSS grant. Students should always get an EHIC/private health insurance as they may need to evidence this, not only to access medical treatment, but also for future eligibility for some immigration routes (e.g. citizenship).

There are some companies that offer specific insurance plans for international students and families so it may be worth having a look at those. Two of these are Insure2Study Overseas or Endsleigh Insurance though you can use any provider you wish. You should also be aware that you cannot work as a Standard Visitor (that includes work placements and work experience). 

You should expect to be asked to evidence either EUSS status or that you have medical insurance as a condition of medical treatment. There are some companies that offer specific insurance plans for international students and families so it may be worth having a look at those. Two of these are Insure2Study Overseas or Endsleigh Insurance though you can use any provider you wish.

You will also be unable to work until you receive your EUSS status.

The EUSS application is made online and it is quick and FREE and you will find further information about the scheme and the application process on our EUSS page.

Please note that, as you are in the UK, you will be able to apply for the EUSS using a standard University Student Statement- this is available to download yourself from the Gradintelligence site. You can use this document in lieu of an EUSS statement as it will also confirm your current address in the UK for you.

If you have not already applied for the European Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

If you have not yet applied for the EUSS then we would recommend that you take steps to ensure that you do not miss this fantastic opportunity. The EU Settlement Scheme is an immigration route that allows eligible EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and their family members to live, work and study in the UK after BREXIT. It will also allow you to continue to access the National Health Service and could allow access to home fee status and student funding in the future (though your current course is already protected for fees and funding).

What action do I need to take?

1) Try and apply for the EUSS where you are now and as soon as possible. The process to do so is outlined on our EUSS pages. It is made online and is quick, easy and FREE- so you have nothing to lose by trying to do that. You will need to download a UKVI app to your phone and in order to do so will need a UK SIM card- so it may be necessary for you to try and get one online if you don't already have one. 

You will see in our step by step Guide to the EUSS (available vie the link above) that we have supplied you with a UK address that you can use if you do not currently have UK accommodation. If you do have an alternative UK address please use that.

You will need an EUSS Student Statement from the University which confirms your course (guidance on how to access this can be found via the link). 

If your EUSS is granted you need to make sure that you are not absent from the UK for more than 6 months after grant as this could invalidate your status

I am unable to apply for the EUSS from home

If you are in the situation above, then your options depend on what your future plans are.

If you are coming back to the UK to study see 1-3 below. If you are not coming back to the UK, you do not need to take any further action.

1) Enter the UK as a Visitor (stamped at the airport) and take a chance on applying for the EUSS once you are in the UK  (as long as this is before 30th June 2021). Your University EUSS Student Statement will list the dates of your course (e.g 23rd September 2019- 16th June 2022). We do not know if the UKVI will accept this as evidence covering the whole date period (thus assuming that you were in the UK prior to 31st December 2020) or whether they will ask for evidence that you were in the UK before the 31st December 2020. You may need to submit this extra information if subsequently asked. You have until 30th June 2021 to apply for the scheme although you should make the application as soon as you can.

You will need either an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and/or private healthcare insurance to cover any time between arrival in the UK and EUSS grant. Students should always get an EHIC/private health insurance as they may need to evidence this, not only to access medical treatment, but also for future eligibility for some immigration routes (e.g. citizenship).

There are some companies that offer specific insurance plans for international students and families so it may be worth having a look at those. Two of these are Insure2Study Overseas or Endsleigh Insurance though you can use any provider you wish. 

You may also not be able to work whilst the decision is being made as an employer may require you to evidence that you have EUSS status (or an alternative). You should also be aware that you cannot work until your EUSS is granted (that includes work placements and work experience).

2) Regulate your immigration status or leave the UK prior to 30th June 2021. If you come into the UK as a Standard Visitor (stamped in at Port of Entry (the airport) post 1st January 2021 and you make an EUSS application as per option 1 above and it is refused, you will need to either regulate your immigration permission OR leave the UK before 30th June 2021. You will not be able to regulate your immigration from inside the UK and will need to do this from home (as per option 3 below). If your EUSS is refused and you are in the position, email International@CampusLife if unsure of your next step

Under this option, you will need to have arranged private Heath Care Insurance and you will not be eligible to work during your time in the UK.

3) Apply for alternative immigration permission before travelling to the UK. If you are studying a course that is longer than 6 months, you should apply for a Student Visa (formerly known as a Tier 4 visa). Please see our information around that here. This visa will give you permission to work and you will also pay the compulsory Immigration Health Surcharge- which gives you access to the UK National Health Service.You should always also get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as having that document may mean you are eligible for a future refund of IHS fees paid.

If you have already applied for the European Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

If you have already applied for the EUSS that is great. 

On 15th December 2020, the UKVI confirmed that absences of up to 12 months due directly to COVID will not affect the 5 year residency required for an application for settled status. Please see information regarding this on the UKCISA website.

It may be worth accessing your EUSS account prior to your travel to the UK, just to check that your status is still registered as valid on the Home Office system and you could travel with a screenshot of the confirmation in case asked at Port of Entry (the airport).

We would also recommend that you get an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)  as this may help you access medical treatment, could assist in future eligibility for some immigration routes (e.g. citizenship) and may mean you are eligible for a future refund of any Immigration Health Surcharge fees paid under the Student Route.