Permanent Residence for EEA nationals

EEA nationals can apply for permanent residence status once they havelived in the UK for five years as a qualified person. Applying for any documentto live in the UK is currently optional for an EEA or Swiss national unlessthey want to apply for British citizenship or need to sponsor their partner’svisa application.

UK Visas and Immigration has mentioned that a new scheme will be available for EU citizens to apply to stay in the UK after it leaves the EU. Although the application is currently optional for EU citizens, the document certifying permanent residence can be good evidence of the right to live andwork in the UK after Brexit takes effect.

Nonetheless, the permanent residence document is required if as an EEA national you need to;

●     Apply for British citizenship having lived in the UK for 6 years
●     Sponsor your non-EEA family members or anextended family member

You will need to submit evidence of living in the UK for the past five years as a qualified person in accordance with the EEA rules. Nationals of EEA including Switzerland are considered a qualified person in the UK if they have been working, studying, self-employed, self-sufficient, or looking for work.