EU Settlement Scheme:
Important June 30 Deadline:
The deadline for European Union Citizens living in the UK who wish to apply for settled status is fast approaching – June 30th.
If you are an EU Citizen, you and your family members are able to apply to the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. (Irish citizens do not need to apply, but non-British family members of Irish Citizens will need to apply to the settlement scheme if they want to stay in the UK.)
The Settlement scheme allows you and your family member to get the immigration status you will need to continue to live, work and study in the UK.
Settled or pre-settled status means you can continue to be eligible for:
- Public services
- Public funds and pensions
- British citizenship, if you meet the requirements and want to apply.
Non-EU family members living in the UK by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
You need to complete a short online application. It is free to make your application.
Full guidance can be found on the Government’s website: gov.uk/apply-eu-settlement-status.
Applications have to be made on an individual basis. Once you have made an application for yourself, this can be linked to your family members’ application, using your unique applicant number.
You will usually be able to apply for British Citizenship 12 months after you have received settled status – if you would like to.
Support is available from: The EU Settlement Resolution Centre: 0300 123 7379.
In Greater Manchester, your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to help you if you are having any problems. For help in Salford call us on 0808 27 87 802.
We are seeing some clients who are having difficulty in proving the length of their time in the UK and are being awarded pre-settlement status rather than full settled status. This may be something that specialist help might be helpful with.
Tom Togher
June 2021.