
As a general rule, it is advised that all EEA students apply for the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021. Students will be required to have started living in the UK on or 31 December 2020 to be eligible to apply. If you do not apply, it will affect your ability to live and study in the UK.
When should I apply?
We strongly advise you to apply before 30 June 2021.
What if I do not apply?
It will affect your ability to live and study in the UK.
How much does it cost?
There is no fee to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
How do I apply?
Visit the Home Office website ‘Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme’. This provides information on who is able to apply for this visa and how you can apply.
Are there any exceptions?
Please consult the Home Office website for additional information to see if any exceptions apply to you.
What if I want to study less than 6 months and am not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme?
You do not require a visa if you are planning on studying for less than 6 months. At the end of the 6 months, you must return to your home country.
Is it all in English?
No, if you are not a native English speaker the advice has been translated into 26 European languages.
What are the two different visa types?
There are two types of ‘settlement status’ that a student can get under the EU settlement scheme:
- EU Settled Status – Granted if an individual has five years continuous residence. Once granted they can stay in the UK as long as they want.
- EU Pre Settled Status – Granted if an individual has less than five years UK residence.
How long are they valid for?
- EU Settled Status – 10 years
- EU Pre Settled Status – 5 years. After the 5 years you can apply for EU Settled Status.
What about Au Pairs?
- EEA Au Pairs – You need to seek your own independent immigration advice. UKVI have not updated their guidance around this yet.
- Non-EEA Au Pairs – You must apply for a relevant residence status if eligible.
What happens after I have made an application?
You will get a confirmation email from the Home Office advising that they have received your application. You must send this email to ukrighttostudy@activatelearning.ac.uk so your student record can be updated.
Why must I send this to ukrighttostudy@activatelearning.ac.uk?
This is required so we have proof of your residence status to live and study in the UK and can keep your student record up to date.
What happens if I am granted EU Settlement/Pre Settled status?
You will get a letter from the Home Office that says you have been successful. You must visit your admissions team who can guide you through providing a PDF copy of your status from the Home Office website.
You can view your status by accessing the Home Office website.
If I have a letter that says I have been successful, is that not enough?
Unfortunately, it is not. The letter states that you cannot use this as proof of your status. This can only be done by logging into the Home Office website when you have applied and generating a share code that Activate Learning can use to get a PDF copy of your status.
Will EU/EEA/Swiss students with EU Settlement status get BRP (visa) cards or do they only get a digital status?
They only get a digital status. Please refer to the point above on how to provide a copy of this.
EU/EEA/Swiss students who get a student visa how long is this granted for?
Student visas are granted for around one year and is linked to the duration of your course.
You must decide what length of study you want to undertake and apply for your visa before travelling to the UK.
For EU/EEA/Swiss students who get a short-term study visa, how long is this granted for and what format we they get it? Is it a physical document or in digital format?
A short-term study visa is granted if you are looking to study between 6–11 months in the UK.
You must decide what length of study you want to undertake and apply for your visa before travelling to the UK.
How long can I stay in the UK?
You can stay in the UK for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days, as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.
How much is the short-term study visa fee?
It costs £186 for a Short-term study visa.
Are there any additional costs?
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £470. This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Check how much you’ll need to pay before you apply.

When you arrive
Before you start your course, we will help you learn more about living and studying in the UK.
Find out more