The Home Office has started granting five years of extension (instead of two) to pre-settled status holders who have not yet switched to settled status.

This is not a dramatic change, but we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some key principles:

• The Home Office, when granting extensions, sends a specific email that states the new expiry date of the pre-settled status. Generic emails do not confirm that you have been granted an extension.
• Apply for settled status as soon as you are eligible. Do not wait for your pre-settled status to be extended! 
• If you have status based on your own rights of residence, your qualifying period must start before 31/12/2020. The extension simply gives you more time to apply. It does not give you the right to rely on a period of residence that starts after 31/12/2020.
• The requirements to apply for settled status are still the same: you need to have completed a qualifying period of residence without having broken your continuous residence. The qualifying period is 5 years or more, depending on individual circumstances.
• Pre-settled status can be lost with long absences. This can happen if you have been absent for:
  • 2 consecutive years before 21/05/2024; OR
  • 5 consecutive years after 21/05/2024.
• If you have broken your continuous residence and have valid pre-settled status, you can still count on it. However, bear in mind that the Home Office can revoke the pre-settled status of people who no longer meet the requirements for it anymore – e.g. when the continuous residence is broken. If this applies to you, please contact us for free immigration advice asap.