The Home Office has now (14 May 2020) received more than
3.5 million applications to the EU Settlement Scheme,
according to the latest internal figures.
The milestone was reached with over a year still to go
until the 30 June 2021 deadline, making it the biggest
scheme of its kind in British history.
This year, the Home Office also announced a further £8 million
of funding to help vulnerable EU citizens to
apply. This is in addition to the £9 million it awarded to
57 charities across the UK last year.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic a wide range of support
has remained available for those who need help applying or
have questions about the scheme. This includes a helpline
which reopened earlier this month and provides support 7
days a week.
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration said:
EU citizens are part of the fabric of our society. They
are our friends, family and neighbours, enriching our
culture and community. I am therefore pleased we’ve
already had more than 3.5 million applications, with over
a year left until the deadline.
The scheme is the biggest of its kind in British history
and there’s still plenty of time left to apply.
Today, updates to the immigration rules will also be laid
in Parliament, which include changes to the EU Settlement
Scheme.
The rule changes will widen access to the scheme for
victims of domestic violence or abuse. If a family member’s
relationship with an EEA citizen breaks down permanently as
a result of domestic violence or abuse, this, coupled with
their own continuous residence in the UK, will be
recognised as part of their application.
This underlines the government’s wider commitment to
tackling domestic violence and abuse as well as protecting
and supporting victims of it.
The rule changes also mean that family members of British
or dual British-Irish citizens from Northern Ireland will
be able to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
This delivers on the commitment the UK government made in
the ‘New Decade, New
Approach’ agreement in January 2020 which restored
the power sharing executive in Northern Ireland.
