If you are an EU/EEAS citizen in the UK, applying to the EU Settlement Scheme is a must if you want to remain in the country after Brexit.
Recent news has informed us that Boris Johnson has failed to get his version of the Withdrawal Act through the UK parliament and now has reluctantly accepted another Brexit extension until the end of January 2020. We think it is right to describe this as a total political mess, where there is little to no clarity on how it will eventually pan out to effect business, jobs, the environment, agriculture, foreign policy, the economy and of course, EU/EEA citizens who want to live in the UK and their UK counterparts who want to remain on the continent.
The fact that confusion levels are even higher now, and there is an extension on the cards, have not impacted the deadlines that have already been set forth for EU/EEA citizens who want to apply through the EU Settlement Scheme to remain in the UK. Whether there is a deal, or, no deal, the deadlines are still what they have been for a few months and the scheme has had an estimated 1.5 million EU Citizens apply to it since it was inaugurated on 29th March 2019.
Our team of immigration solicitors London advise that you do not wait around to see what is going to happen and apply for either, “pre-settled” status (if you have not continuously lived in the UK for 5 years) or “settled status” (if you have lived in the UK continuously for 5 years) which is the same as permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain. Also, be warned that the scheme is not perfect. There have been many cases of people who applied for settled status and instead received pre-settled status, and yes, indeed, 7500+ applications have also been rejected because EU/EEA citizens either did not have the proper documentation, have been convicted of criminal charges or for extenuating circumstances that require the individual to appeal the rejection by the Home Office, so take into account possible setbacks which may take place.
When are the deadlines?
The current deadlines for application still stand as the following and our team of immigration solicitors will update you on our blog if and when things change.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, the deadline for applying through the Scheme will be 30th of June 2021.
If the UK leaves without a deal, then the deadline to apply will be 31st of December 2020.
Who needs to apply?
All EU/EEA citizens need to apply through the scheme.
Those born in the UK who have at least one parent with settled status.
Who does not need to apply?
Irish citizens
EU citizens who already have permanent residence or British citizenship are also exempt.
What about EU nationals who want to come to the UK after Brexit?
Our team of Immigration solicitors London confirm that the UK Government has also stated in previous weeks that it is going to implement a transitional period for EU/EEA citizens who want to come to the UK after the official day of Brexit. For more information about this read our article titled: EU Citizens Wanting to Move to The UK After Brexit
Ask the best immigration solicitors UK
For more information about applying to the EU Settlement Scheme and more information about the most recent changes in UK immigration law, call our team of immigration lawyers during our working hours on +44 (0) 207 269 9590 or fill out the form below and we will reply to you within 24 hours (on working days).
