In recent months, we have noticed an increase in the number of queries we are receiving for notarisation of settled status and pre-settled status documents for overseas visa applications. Most commonly, for visas to Russia.
Read our dedicated post about moving to Russia from the UK, for everything you need to know.
In light of the Coronavirus crisis, some countries have closed their borders to travellers from other countries. But, as in the case of Russia, some permit travellers to enter from the UK, provided they can evidence that they reside in the UK.
Read on to find out more, or email info@mscnotaries.com now to arrange a fast, online notarisation of your status.
What is a settled or pre-settled status?
Pre-settled status and settled status are two different types of immigration status for non-UK citizens living in the UK. The key difference is that pre-settled status is for people who have lived in the UK for less than 5 years, while settled status can only be given after at least 5 years of residence. Your status affects your rights to live, work, study in the UK.
You can find out more about their differences, and how to apply, at the official government website.
How does my status affect visa application?
Your pre-settled or settled status affects whether you’re able to travel inside or outside of the UK. So if you’re applying for a visa for another country, you may need to be able to prove your settled or pre-settled status during the application.
Settled and pre-settled status has also played a part in the impact of Brexit on UK businesses.
Why would I need a notary to help with this?
A notary’s role is to certify whether documents are genuine, particularly when they are being used abroad.
For non-UK citizens, the Russian consulate/border officials will accept evidence of an individual’s settled status or pre-settled status, as long as it has been notarised by the UK notary. Here’s how the notarisation process works.
How will the notary notarise my settled or pre-settled status documentation?
The government holds an online database of individuals with settled and pre-settled status. You can grant third parties access to your status documentation by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
You will then need to go through the following steps:
- Enter the specified personal details to prove your identity to gov.uk
- You will be provided with an access code, which you can share with us
- Send the access code to us, along with a scan or photo of a photographic ID
- We access your settled or pre-settled status documentation through gov.uk
- We print out this settled or pre-settled status, and notarise it with our signature
- This confirms that it has been obtained through the government website
Once your settled or pre-settled documents have been notarised, you can use them for your visa application.
Find out more about the difference between notarisation and legalisation
What do I need to provide to the notary?
The notary will require the access code outlined above, and they will also require a copy of your ID (passport/ID card or photocard driving licence). We will accept a high-resolution photograph of your ID, or a scanned copy, via email.
Do I need to attend in person, or can notarisation be done remotely?
You do not need to attend in person in order to have your settled or pre-settled status documents notarised. You just need to provide the documentation listed above, which can be provided via email. Once the settled or pre-settled document has been notarised, we can arrange for it to be posted to a UK address, or couriered via DHL abroad.
Find out more about our remote and online notary services
What does it cost, and how long can it take?
Our fee is £70 + VAT to notarise your settled or pre-settled status documentation.
Once notarised, if you require us to post your settled or pre-settled status document to a UK address an additional charge of £10 would apply. Alternatively, to courier your settled or pre-settled status document abroad, an additional fee of between £40 and £50 would apply depending on the destination. Please contact us to find out more.
Turnaround time would usually be 1-2 working days, plus postage/courier time, if applicable.
Why choose MSC Notaries to notarise your settled or pre-settled status documents?
- We’re a well-trusted London firm, with an extremely high rating on Google Reviews
- We offer some of the cheapest notary fees in London and the surrounding area
- We also offer translation and apostille services, so you can do everything in one
- Our office stays open late on weekdays, and we’re open Saturday mornings too
What do I do next?
Please contact us by email at info@mscnotaries.com or by telephone on 0208 9072699.
We can then start the process to have your settled or pre-settled status notarised for your visa application.
