Trials announced to apply for ‘settled status’ after Brexit

Last Friday, the government issued a new statement of changes to the immigration rules. It introduced Appendix EU, the implementation of a settled status scheme for those from the European Union who wish to remain in the UK after Brexit.

The statement confirms how the procedure to apply for settled status will work; its associated fees, and those who will be exempt for the charges. It also lists the organisations – mostly NHS Trusts in the North-West –  that have agreed to participating in a beta trial.

This, together with the earlier statement in June this year, and its commitment to biometric enrolment, could be a crucial test for the Home Office.

It is hoped that this experiment will iron out any problems before the system is rolled out nationally later this year. If it is a success, it would build confidence that there are enough skills and resources available to register the three million EU citizens in the UK who wish to remain here after 2019.

The live trial comes into force at the end of August. As well as EU employees from 12 NHS trusts including those in Aintree, Blackpool, Chester, Southport, Warrington and Wirral, EU students and staff at three Liverpool universities have agreed to try out the new digital service.

They have been selected by invitation, and it is hoped that a further 4,000 EU citizens will join the scheme on a voluntary basis.

Each applicant will need to prove their identity, declare any criminal records and upload a photo of their face. Then the Home Office will check their employment and benefit history to confirm their proof of residency, and they have promised to  respond in less than a fortnight.

EU nationals who arrive before December 31st, 2020, but have not lived here for five years, will need to seek permission to stay until they have been resident for the full five years, before they can appeal for settled status.

Registering for settled status will cost £65 for adults and £32.50 for children under the age of 16.

However, the pilot scheme does not contain all the features that are planned for the completed process.  Those who are participating will still have to attend an appointment at the Home Office, where a representative will help them complete their online application.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said: ‘EU citizens make a huge contribution to our economy and to our society and we want them to stay.’