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<p>To obtain settled status, EU citizens and their family members will generally need
to have lived continuously in the UK for five years (the continuous qualifying period).
Those with less than five years’ continuous residence will be eligible to apply for
pre-settled status.</p><p>For those in the continuous qualifying period for settled
status, “continuously resident” means that a person has not been absent from the UK
for more than six months in total in any 12-month period. There is no restriction
on the number of absences permitted, provided that the total period of absence does
not exceed six months in any 12-month period.</p><p>There are some exceptions to this;
one instance of 12-month absence in a five-year period is permitted for an important
reason such as work, study, serious illness or pregnancy. We will be pragmatic about
what activity constitutes an important reason. Any period of absence for compulsory
military service is also permitted.</p><p>However, for applicants who have been continuously
resident in the UK for five years, and are therefore eligible for settled status,
“continuously resident” means that since completing that period they have not been
absent from the UK for more than five consecutive years.</p>
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