EU settlement scheme: what we know so far
NHS workers in the North West, as well as students and staff from three Liverpool universities have volunteered to test the system before its nationwide launch at the end of the year.
Those currently applying are being asked to make an appointment with a Home Office representative to go through the process with them personally.
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said that this test run would ‘help us ensure the system will be ready when the rollout begins later this year.’
What do they need to do?
The EU settlement scheme confirms a EU citizen’s immigration status once Britain leaves the EU. Those who have been living in the UK for five years before 31 December 2020 will qualify as ‘settled’ after completing three key steps:
- proving identity
- proving residence in the UK
- declaring any criminal convictions.
Anyone who has not yet been resident for that length of time will be considered ‘pre-settled’.
How will it work?
The initial ‘managed live trial’ has been kept private. It has been confined to the North West region and the government has not yet shown the general public what the application form looks like, nor released any feedback on how easy it is to complete.
Critics of the test run say that the 59-page advice document issued to Home Office caseworkers doesn’t make it clear enough that that staff should be looking for ways to grant rather than refuse applications.
Smith Stone Walters understands that automated checks applied during the application process will suggest whether the applicant qualifies for settled or pre-settled status. We also understand that the new government software will guide EU citizens on the periods of UK residence they need to substantiate (i.e. not already confirmed via internal records such as HMRC) in order to acquire settled status.
Applicants will have the opportunity to pause their EU Settlement Scheme application and save it ‘in draft’ in order to gather additional evidence prior to concluding their submission and paying the associated fee. The fees are £65 per adult, £32.50 for children under 16.
EU citizens who have already obtained permanent resident status or indefinite leave to remain in the UK will be able to exchange this for settled status free of charge.
Each family member must apply separately and everyone must pay before the automated checks are made by the system.
Applicants may submit a photocopy, photograph or scanned digital image of any required supporting evidence. In the case of children under 16, their birth certificate or passport should be sufficient without needing additional photographic ID.
How will you know if you have been successful?
Once successful, the applicant will be sent an email confirming their status and the date it was granted with a unique reference number. If you are applying on behalf of a family member of an EU citizen, you will be able to provide that EU citizen’s reference number on each application to link you to them.
Non-EU citizens will have their status confirmed and receive a biometric residence card.
Smith Stone Walters is here to support every EU citizen throughout this process. For more information, please contact us here.
