Information for EU residents
On 15 December 2017, the UK and the EU Commission made an agreement on citizens’ rights.
If you are an EU citizen who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and want to stay in the UK beyond 30 June 2021, you and your family members will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for making applications has now passed, however the Home Office have stated that they will accept late applications where there is a reasonable ground for doing so.
Guidance on what the Home Office considers a reasonable ground.
The Home Office has produced guidance providing an overview of how the EU Settlement Scheme will work.
The EU Settlement Scheme will allow you and your family to continue to live, study and work in the UK. It means you will continue to be eligible for:
- Public services, such as healthcare and schools
- Public funds and pensions
- British citizenship, if you meet the requirements and want to apply
Who is eligible?
You need to be an EU citizen or a non-EU family member of an EU citizen. You will not need to apply if you are an Irish citizen.
You need to have been a resident in the UK by 31 December 2020. If you have been a resident in the UK for more than five continuous years when you apply, you will be eligible for settled status. If you have been a resident for less than five years when you apply, you will be eligible for pre-settled status.
You must not be a serious or persistent criminal, or a threat to national security.
Does it cover family members?
The EU Settlement Scheme covers all EU citizens living in the UK and their family members. Family members do not need to be from the EU; they can come from anywhere in the world (referred to as non-EU citizen family members).
Non-EU family members living in the UK by 31 December 2020 are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Your close family members that were not living in the UK by 31 December 2020 will be able to join you in the UK at any point in the future, as long as the relationship still exists, by applying for a family permit. Children born or adopted after 31 December 2020, and future dependants, will also have their rights protected.
How to apply
To apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, you will need to complete a short online application form. The deadline for applying was 30 June 2021. If you have not made an application you should do so urgently to protect your rights to live, work and access healthcare in the UK.
You will need to provide basic information such as your name, date of birth, contact details and nationality. As part of this process, you will need to provide proof of identity and residence.
Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
The process to verify your identity and residence will require applicants to download an app onto a compatible Android phone or tablet. Please see the below guide for information on how you can complete this process yourself at home. If you do not have a compatible phone or tablet, we can help.
Complete the verification process yourself
How to provide proof of identity
If you have an Android or iPhone (8 or above) phone or tablet, you can use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify your identity if you have a biometric passport or biometric EU national identity card.
The app will:
- Check that your identity document is genuine
- Verify that the document belongs to you
You must use either:
- Your biometric passport from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
- Your UK residence card with a biometric chip if you’re the non-EU family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
You will also need to provide a photo of your face. You can take a photo through the app or upload one as part of the online application form.
If you do not have a biometric identity document, or if you prefer, you can send your identity document to the Home Office in the post.
How to provide proof of residence
You can prove your residence by providing your National Insurance number, if you have one. Other documentation may be used or required to show proof of residence. You can upload these to your online application. A list of suggested evidence that is accepted can be found on GOV.UK.
Unable to use the app for the verification process
If your mobile phone or other device isn’t compatible, or you require assistance to complete the application please contact Citizens Advice Wandsworth’s EU Information and Advice service which is supported by the Council.
Criminality check
You will be asked to declare any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application. This will not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.
Approval
Subject to the application checks, you will be granted settled or pre-settled status, depending on how long you have lived here. In most cases your new immigration status will be granted within a couple of weeks. Once you receive your status, details will be provided on how to access it on GOV.UK.
More information
Visit GOV.UK to find out more about your rights, whether you qualify for settled status and a step-by-step guide to help you through the application process.