EU Settlement Scheme

Posted on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 by heather DuhigNo comments

EU Settlement Scheme

 

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

EU citizens and their families who live in the UK before 31 October still have until 31 December 2020 to apply for settled status. However, given the uncertainty in how the UK immigration system will work in a no-deal scenario, we recommend EU citizens apply before 31 October 2019.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your family members to get the immigration status you will need to continue to live, work and study in the UK. This status means you can continue to be eligible for:

  • public services, such as healthcare and schools
  • public funds and pensions
  • British citizenship, if you meet the requirements and want to apply

Who is eligible?

The EU Settlement Scheme applies to EEA and Swiss citizens:

 Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands 
 Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

 

 Family members of eligible EU citizens

Non-EU family members living in the UK by 31 December 20203 are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Close family members who are not living in the UK by 31 December 20204 will be able to join their EU family member in the UK at any point in the future, as long as the relationship still exists.

Close family members include spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners and dependent children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. Family members do not need to be from the EU, they can come from anywhere in the world (known as non-EU family member).

 

How to apply?

You need to complete a short online application form using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. The application will ask for basic information like your name, address, contact details and nationality. Your application saves automatically, so if you want to, you can start and then complete it at another time. It is free to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

 

Proof of identity

Verify your identity and nationality using your passport, national identity card, or biometric residence card (if you are a non-EU citizen). You can either scan your identity document using an Android device, send in your identity document by post or visit a location providing access to the ID document scanning service. A list of locations can be found at gov.uk/eu-id-scanner-locations. You will also have to upload a digital photo of yourself.

 

Proof of residence

Prove your residence in the UK by providing your National Insurance number, if you have one. In some cases, you may need to provide additional documentation. You can upload these to your application.

 

Criminality check

Complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application.

 

Pre-settled status

If you receive pre-settled status, also known as limited leave to remain or enter, this means you can stay in the UK for a period of five years. This will allow you to remain in the UK until you are eligible for settled status, generally once you have lived continuously in the UK for five years.

 

Settled status

If you receive settled status, also known as indefinite leave to remain or enter, this means there is no time limit on how long you can stay in the UK. You can go on to apply for British citizenship if you meet the requirements and want to apply.

 

 

To find out more:

To support our candidates, we will be providing a drop-in clinic on Wednesday’s to help talk you through the process should you have any questions or concerns. We are also offering candidates access to a computer to complete the application process in our office. 

Visit the website gov.uk/eu-settled-status to:

  • access the application guidance
  • start your application
  • find out about next steps and citizenship

 

Support

If you have individual questions about your application, you can contact the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre by calling

0300 123 7379 or +44 (0) 20 3080 0010 from outside the UK.

Find out about call charges on
gov.uk/call-charges.
You can also ask a question using the online submission form eu‑settled‑status‑enquiries.service.gov.uk.

 

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