Labour and Co-operative Member of
Parliament for Kemptown and Peacehaven

EU Settlement Scheme

by Lloyd on 21.01.19 in Policy
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From today,  EU citizens in the UK must apply to stay in your homes. My message to Europeans in my constituency is, this is your home and you are welcome here. This is a difficult day for all EU citizens, and it is shaming that you must apply to remain our friends, colleagues, family, and community members.
From today,  EU citizens in the UK must apply to stay in your homes. My message to Europeans in my constituency is, this is your home and you are welcome here. This is a difficult day for all EU citizens, and it is shaming that you must apply to remain our friends, colleagues, family, and community members.

From today,  EU citizens in the UK must apply to stay in your homes. My message to Europeans in my constituency is, this is your home and you are welcome here. This is a difficult day for all EU citizens, and it is shaming that you must apply to remain our friends, colleagues, family, and community members.

The Government has given reassurances for EU migrants in our country, and has made it clear how important it is to secure the rights of EU citizens in the UK so I will continue to pressure them to honour that assurance. The scheme will be fully open by 30 March 2019, so do not rush or panic.

To make this process easier for my constituents, I have provided some vital information below to clear up any understandable confusion.

Who should apply

  • Born in the UK but are not a British citizen
  • Married to a British citizen and you’re from the EU.
  • The deadline for settled status is 30 June 2021, below is an overview of the proposed dates:

If you’re from outside the EU

  • Nothing has changed and you will need to follow the normal processes for seeking leave to remain, this could include;
  • Providing proof of your relationship to your EU citizen family member (birth, marriage or civil partnership certificate).
  • If your family member applies first, you’ll be able to link your applications to theirs using the application number your family member gets when they apply.

Settled status

You should get settled status if you’ve lived in the UK for a 5 year continuous period, and have started living in the UK by December 31, 2020.

The 5 year continuous period means that you’ve been in the UK for at least 6 months in any 12 month period, except for:

  • one period of up to 12 months for an important reason (e.g. childbirth, serious illness, study, or overseas work posting)
  • Compulsory military service.

Pre-settled status

If you’re an EU citizen living the UK, but has not been here for five continuous years, you will be given pre-settled status. This will allow you to stay here until that five year mark, and then you will need to claim settled status.

You can stay in the UK for a further 5 years from the date you get pre-settled status, but you must apply again and get settled status if you want to stay longer.

How do I apply

You’ll need to fill in a form online, via post or using the smartphone app. However, you’ll need an Android phone to use the app, but hopefully this will be resolved soon. I have heard many reports that scanning documents in takes a couple of tries, so don’t worry if it doesn’t work on the first go.

What you’ll need proof of:

  • Your identity (passport, biometric residence card, biometric residence permit)
  • Your residence in the UK (giving your national insurance number will allow an automated check of your residence based on tax and benefit records)
  • Your relationship to a family member from the EU living in the UK, if you’re from outside the EU

Here is the link to the Government page to start your application:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-stay-uk-leaves-eu-test-phase?step-by-step-nav=0c79b832-75de-4854-8154-d62774a8dfb8

Digital support

  • Face-to-face assisted digital support will initially be available in 50 locations, but these will be increased to provide national coverage by 30 March 2019.

Contact We Are Digital if you need assisted digital support on:

  • Phone: 03333 445 675
  • Text message: text the word “VISA” to 07537 416 944

We Are Digital are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. More information can be found at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-settlement-scheme-assisted-digital-service/eu-settlement-scheme-assisted-digital-service

 

If you’re still struggling to make sense of what to do, how to do and when to do it, I’ve added some helpful links below with step by step guidance:

https://twitter.com/EUlondonrep/status/1087279076551860229

https://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/who-has-to-apply-for-settled-status-and-how-will-the-scheme-work-11364328989908

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-46925379/how-do-you-apply-for-settled-status-after-brexit

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Labour and Co-operative Member of
Parliament for Kemptown and Peacehaven

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