EU Settlement Scheme: The numbers so far

30.04.2021

European nationals who wish to secure settled or pre-settled status in the UK have until 30 June 2021 to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to help European citizens to secure their rights to continue living and working in the UK post-Brexit. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply under the scheme, and successful applicants will be granted either settled or pre-settled status, depending on how long they have been living in the UK.

With just two months remaining until the deadline, the number of applications received to date has already far exceeded the 3 million applications initially predicted by the Home Office when the scheme opened in March 2019.

The numbers so far

The latest Home Office statistics published on 15 April 2021 show that:

The total number of applications receive up to 31 March 2021 was 5,301,500
The total number of applications concluded up to 31 March 2021 was 4,977,700

Of the concluded applications, the outcomes were as follows:

53% were granted settled status
44% were granted pre-settled status
1% were refused
1% were withdrawn or void
1% were invalid

These figures account for all electronic and paper applications to the EU Settlement Scheme, including individuals applying on more than one occasion (for example, a holder of pre-settled status applying again for settled status once becoming eligible). Home Office data analysis shows that repeat applications accounted for less than 5% of total applications to the scheme.

How to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

EU citizens who were living in the UK before the Brexit transition period ended on 31 December 2021 and who have not yet applied to the EU Settlement Scheme are strongly advised to do so before the 30 June deadline.

Applications to the EU Settlement Scheme are free of charge and can be submitted using a device such as a laptop or smartphone. To assist those applying, Smith Stone Walters has created a handy video guide, which explains the application process step by step.

After you apply

After you have submitted your application to the EU Settlement Scheme, you will receive a letter from the Home Office confirming the outcome of your application. You will not usually get a physical document to prove your settled or pre-settled status, but you can view and prove your immigration status online.

After 30 June 2021, EU citizens will no longer be able to use their passport or National Identity Card to demonstrate their right to work in the UK, and employers will need to use the Home Office’s online tool to check the immigration status of prospective European employees.

2 months to go

Despite a multi-million pound advertising campaign and dedicated funding to support vulnerable and hard to reach groups, critics suggest that the Home Office still has no clear idea of how many eligible Europeans have still not applied and risk slipping through the net.

Smith Stone Walters advises employers to take the time now to conduct an audit of your existing European workers and ensure they are aware of the requirement to apply by 30 June if they have not already done so.