EU citizens will be able to apply for settled status in
three easy steps for less than the price of a passport, under
plans outlined by the Immigration Minister today (21
June).
EU citizens living in the UK and their family members will need
to apply under the settlement scheme to obtain their new UK
immigration status. confirmed that those
applying under the scheme will only need to complete three key
steps. They will need to prove their identity, show that that
they live in the UK, and declare that they have no serious
criminal convictions.
The Minister also announced the planned fee for
people applying under the scheme. It is proposed that an
application will cost £65 and £32.50 for a child under
16. For those who already have valid permanent residence or
indefinite leave to remain documentation, they will be able to
exchange it for settled status forfree.
The Home Office will check the employment and benefit records
held by government which will mean that, for many, their proof of
residence will be automatic.
Those who have not yet lived in the UK for five years
will be granted pre-settled status and be able to apply for
settled status once they reach the five-year point. From April
2019, this second application will be free of charge.
The draft Immigration Rules which have been published today
providing details of the scheme, deliver on the citizens’ rights
agreement with the EU reached in March this year, which also
guarantees the rights of UK nationals living in the EU.
Immigration Minister said:
“EU citizens make a huge contribution to our economy and to our
society. They are our friends, family and colleagues and we want
them to stay.
“This is an important step which will make it easy for EU
citizens to get the status they need to continue working and
living here.
“We are demonstrating real progress and I look forward to hearing
more detail on how the EU will make reciprocal arrangements for
UK nationals living in the EU.”
The new online application system will be accessible through
phones, tablets, laptops and computers. The Government will
provide support for the vulnerable and those without access to a
computer, and continues to work with EU citizens’ representatives
and embassies to ensure the system works for everyone.
The settlement scheme will open in a phased way from later this
year and will be fully open by 30 March 2019. The deadline for
applications will be 30 June 2021.
The Home Office will continue to engage with stakeholders,
including employers, local authority representatives and
community groups, about the detailed design of the scheme before
the Rules are laid before Parliament.
NOTES TO EDITOR
- As previously announced, we will also be requiring new EU
arrivals during the implementation period to register. Further
details on how this will operate will be announced in due course.
- There will be no change to the current rights of EU citizens
until the end of the implementation period on 31 December
2020.
- Read our media fact sheet on the Citizen’s Rights agreement
here: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2017/12/08/factsheet-on-eu-citizens-rights-agreement/
