EU Settlement Scheme update
14 October 2020
The latest monthly statistics relating to the EU Settlement Scheme highlight that over four million applications have now been submitted.
The application deadline will arrive in approximately eight months, on 30 June 2021.
The EU Settlement Scheme was designed to offer EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens, and their eligible family members who are living in the UK prior to the end of the transition period, on 31 December 2020, the opportunity to protect their residence within the UK once the transition period has finished.
Individuals who are successful in applying to the scheme will be able to continue to live and work in the UK after 30 June 2021 and can be granted either settled or pre-settled status. Which status a person gets will depend on the length of time they have been living in the UK.
Settled status is ordinarily given to individuals who started living in the UK by 31 December 2020 and have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period. Pre-settled status is usually given to those who do not have five years’ worth of continuous residence in the UK, but they also must have started living in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Regardless of whether someone has settled or pre-settled status, they will have the right to:
- Work in the UK
- Use the NHS for free (if they can now)
- Enrol in education or continue studying
- Access public funds such as benefits and pensions, where eligible
- Travel in and out of the UK
Individuals granted with pre-settled status can remain in the UK for a further five years from the date they are awarded that status, unless they leave the UK for a period of two consecutive years. Similarly, those with settled status have indefinite leave to remain, unless they leave the UK for a period of five consecutive years.
Applications can be made on Gov.UK, and there is a reminder that applications must also be submitted for children of any age, which may mean that their parents must apply on their behalf. Parents are advised to link their applications.
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