A document is available for EU/EEA nationals about the  Points Based Immigration system:

The UK's Points Based System for EU nationals

Can you advise on absences and how my ability to apply for Settled Status may be affected?

We are only trained to advise on initial Pre-Settled Status applications to ensure that your right to be in the UK is protected.  We do not advise on Settlement for any students whether they are EU/EEA nationals or non-EU/EEA students who hold another form of immigration permission.

If you are seeking advice on absences and how they may impact on your ability to apply for Settled Status, you can contact the following organisations:

The AIRE Centre

UKCISA

Pre-settled status will expire if you are unable to apply for Settled Status.

If you are an EU/EEA national and you have not been residing in the UK prior to the end of the transition period on the 31 December 2020, from the 1 January 2021, you will need to obtain immigration permission to enter the UK.

Students joining the LSE for a period of study of six months or more

If you are joining LSE to study a programme of six months or more, you will be required to apply for a 'Student' visa in advance of travelling to the UK to join LSE.  You can find further information on our web pages:

Visas for full time students 

Please note that even if you do not plan to be in the UK for more than six months, if  you have more than six months of official study left on your programme, we recommend you apply for a Student Visa.  

If you are a new student, you cannot study a full time degree programme in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa.  You will not be able to enrol for your programme and will need to return home to obtain the correct visa.  You cannot apply for a Student visa in the UK if you are here as a tourist.  Please apply for your Student visa in advance of travelling to the UK for your studies.

Unfortunately, the options for EU/EEA students are no longer as flexible as under free movement and you are strongly advised to seek advice on the correct visa, as you would for any country you would normally require immigration permission for.

Students joining LSE for a period of study of less than six months 

EU/EEA nationals will continue to be able to use the e-Gates to enter the UK from the and will be able to study on a Standard Visitor visa for programmes of less than six months e.g. exchanges.  This visa does not allow you to work in the UK or switch into other visa types, so if you are unsure what options are available to you please contact us in advance.

For travel on or after 2nd April 2025, you will be required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation in advance of travelling to the UK.  This will cost £10 and will be available for you to apply for from 5th March 2025.

Find out how to apply here:

Getting started: Applying for a UK ETA 

When you provide a Share Code to an employer, landlord or LSE it will no longer show an expiry date for your Pre-Settled status.   

If you are having an initial Right to Study check at campus enrolment, LSE will still need to check that you have a status in place. Given that there is no expiry date, we will calculate it from the date your application was initially granted plus an additional seven years.  We would be grateful if you could bring evidence of the date that your status was first granted.

Will my Pre-settled staus still expire after five years?

The Home Office is automatically granting an additional two years on all Pre-settled statuses, so they will be valid for seven years in total.  You can find out more on the following web pages:

Home Office Press Release

The 3million

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with a status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

You will be able to work  in the UK  during and after your studies, with similar rights as under free movement.  You will need to provide your employer with a code to verify your digital status.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals studying on a Student visa

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are studying at LSE on a Student visa must ensure they abide by the immigration rules for this visa route.  You should not assume that because a fellow EU/EEA/Swiss student is able to do a particular type of work or work more hours than you, that they are on a Student visa.  They may hold a status under the EU Settlement Scheme, which gives different rights to Student visa holders.

Find out more anbout working during and after studies on a Student visa on our web pages.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be able to continue to travel to the UK for short-trips without requiring a visa.

• If you are an EU/EEA national living in the UK before Brexit, you will be able to use your national ID card for travel until at least 31 December 2025.
• If you are a Swiss national living in the UK on or before the 31 December 2020, you will be able to use your national ID card until at least 31 December 2025.
• If you arrive in the UK after Brexit, the use of national ID cards for travel will be phased out from 1 October 2021. You may wish to consider obtaining a passport if you know you will need to travel to the UK in the future.
• If you are a non-EEA family member you'll be able to enter the UK in the same way until December 2020.

Refunds of the IHS 

From 1 January 2022, full-time EU students with an EHIC issued by a European Country will be able to claim for a reimbursement of the Immigration Health Surcharge you paid for your student visa but only if you do not work or intend to work in the UK. 

If you are planning to work or are working in the UK you are not entitled to a refund. You cannot re-pay the IHS if you begin working and you will also lose your right to treatment on an EHIC, so you will have no medical cover in the UK in this instance.  The costs of receiving treatment could be in excess of the amount of IHS you pay and any debts to the NHS could lead to a ban from the UK. You should consider whether it is worth taking the risk of not being able to receive medical treatment in the UK if you plan to remain long-term.

Unpaid work does not count in this instance.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-health-surcharge-for-eu-students-in-the-uk

The page also advises you access to the wider range of healthcare you benefit from will be limited, so you are advised to check whether it is more beneficial to keep your IHS in place if you have long-standing medical issues. 

You should note that an EHIC only provides medically necessary treatment.  Therefore, it will not cover areas such as medical evidence required for deferrals or exceptional circumstances. Again, we strongly recommend you consider whether it is more of a risk to reclaim your IHS payment than keep it in place.

We understand that a refund of this money in the current financial climate may seem more beneficial, but the implications of doing this can be long-term for your health, your studies and any furture plans you may have to remain in the UK.

Health Insurance whilst in the UK

Up to date information on how your ability to access healthcare may be affected by Brexit can be found on the following web page:

UKCISA: Healthcare in the UK for EU, EEA and Swiss students

Current situation post-EU Exit

If you successfully apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, you will have the right to access UK healthcare.

The government have advised the following:

If you began studying in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, you may use your EHIC for medically necessary healthcare until the end of your course in the UK. You must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if your course extends beyond 30 June 2021.

EHIC covers the requirement for Comprehensive Sickness Insurance if you only intend to access your right of free movement on a temporary basis. EHICs have an expiry date so you must ensure that you have a valid card throughout your studies.  

Healthcare for EU Citizens Living in the UK

You cannot apply for your EHIC in the UK.  Without it you could be charged for using the NHS, unless you have alternative medical insurance with sufficient cover. 

You will need to check with your own country on your eligiblity for EHIC depending on the period of time you will be resident in the UK.

If you have lost or forgotten your EHIC, you may be able to obtain a 'provisional replacement certificate'.

If you are a dual national but are not ordinarily resident in the EU country of your dual nationality, you are unlikely to be eligible for an EHIC.  In this case, you will need to obtain Comprehensive Sickness Insurance  to cover any health care if you plan to enter the UK using your EU/EEA nationality rather than a student visa. Once you successfully apply for the EU Settlement Scheme you will have access to the NHS.

We are unable to recommend medical insurance, but you must obtain this before travelling to the UK. You can find government information on Comprehensive Sickness Insurance at UKVI

The latest update from UKCISA is available here:

Brexit: immigration, fees and student support for when you arrive

UKCISA advice for students on post-Brexit rules and entitlements

The Student Advice and Engagement Management Team is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). The advice provided by the team is in accordance with the current immigration rules and policy guidance.  You are therefore strongly advised to check the most up to date information before submitting any visa application or travelling to the UK. It is your responsibility to read the guidance available and ensure you meet the immigration rules before submitting an application.