Students who have left the UK due to COVID 19
Information for students who have already spent time studying in the UK, but who have left due to COVID 19.
If you already have pre-settled status
You may be absent from the UK for up to two years, and your pre-settled status will remain valid. However, to qualify for settled status after five years, you must not be absent for more than six months in any 12 month period, with some exceptions - for example, if you are seriously ill, or wish to study a year abroad, you may be absent for up to 12 months.
This means that you must be able to pick any two dates that are 12 months apart during the 5 year qualifying period, and you must not have been absent for more than 6 months (counting all absences in that time). An absence of up to 12 months for an important reason will not be counted for purposes of calculating residency.
There are also exceptions made for absences due to Covid-19.
If you are worried about your pre-settled status in relation to an absence due to Covid-19, please contact us.