New to the UK > How to check your UK pre-settled status

How to check your UK pre-settled status

Wollit Team3 minute read · Updated 14th September 2024

Pre-settled status is a form of residency granted to EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who have not yet lived in the UK for five continuous years.

This status is part of the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme, which allows EU citizens to remain in the UK following Brexit. Understanding how to check your pre-settled status is crucial, as it affects your rights, including your ability to work, access healthcare, and apply for loans or mortgages.

What is pre-settled status?

Pre-settled status allows you to live, work, and study in the UK. It was granted to those who have lived in the UK for less than five years by the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020. If you have pre-settled status then you can apply for settled status once you meet the five-year residency requirement.

Why is checking my status important?

Checking your pre-settled status is essential for several reasons:

Employment: employers may require proof of your immigration status.
Access to services: your status determines your eligibility for public services, including healthcare and education.
Access to finance: While pre-settled status does not affect your credit score, it can affect your ability to secure loans or mortgages.

How can I check my pre-settled status?

To check your pre-settled status in the UK, follow these steps:

Create or access your UKVI account. You must have a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. If you have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme or used the UK Immigration ID Check app, you likely have an account. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one using your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card.
Visit the official UK government website to log in. You will need your identity document details and your date of birth. You’ll then get a verification code via email or text.
Once logged in, you can view your pre-settled status online. This includes details about your rights in the UK, such as your right to work and access public funds.

If you need to prove your status to an employer or landlord, you can also generate a share code through your UKVI account. This code allows third parties to verify your immigration status without you sharing personal details.

What if I don’t have a UKVI account?

If you do not have a UKVI account, you cannot check your status online. You may need to contact the Home Office for assistance or use alternative methods to prove your right to work or rent in the UK.

How long does pre-settled status last?

Pre-settled status lasts for five years.

After this period, you can apply for settled status if you have lived in the UK continuously for five years. “Settled status” basically means permanent residency in the UK.

What happens if I leave the UK?

If you leave the UK for more than six months in any 12-month period, you may lose your pre-settled status. However, certain absences, such as for serious illness or childbirth, may not count against you.

Absences during covid that lasted less than 12 months are also accepted, if you can prove that you were unable to come back.

Does having pre-settled status affect my credit score?

Your immigration status does not directly influence your credit score. However, it does influence what financial opportunities you have in the UK.

Here’s how:

Lenders often ask for proof of your immigration status as part of their assessment process. They need to know if you’re going to be around in the UK to repay your loan.
Lenders also check your credit history when you apply for loans or mortgages. Having pre-settled status means you may have limited credit history, also called a “thin credit file”. This can actually affect your credit score, as well as reduce your chances of getting a loan.

This is why it’s so important to establish and build your credit history as soon as you can, if you’re new to the UK.

One of the ways to do this is to download a credit-building app like Wollit.

Wollit works by reporting a fixed fee monthly subscription as a loan repayment to the credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This helps you build or rebuild your credit history by showing that you can pay debt on time. It can even report your monthly rent payment to Experian, adding another line in your credit report that shows lenders you're responsible and pay your bills when they’re due. In time, this will help you improve your credit score so you won’t need to be worried about any credit check ever again.