EU Citizens - Settled Status

You can now apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

I am writing to inform you that you can now apply to the EU Settlement Scheme in a public pilot. This pilot applies to EU citizens who have a valid biometric passport and non-EU family members of EU citizens who have a biometric residence card.

It is important to note that making an application during the pilot is entirely voluntary. By taking part, you will be able to make an early application for your new UK immigration status so you can continue to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.

What you need to do:

To apply to the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to complete a short and simple online application form to:

●      prove your identity;

●      show that you live in the UK; and

●      declare any serious criminal convictions.

If you would like apply, you can access the application form using the following link:

Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Who can apply:

You can apply now if you are:

●      an EU citizen and have a valid biometric passport (this is an e-passport which has a digital chip); or

●      a non-EU family member of an EU citizen and have a biometric residence card with ‘EU Right to Reside’ on the back, which you applied for on or after 6 April 2015

If you do not have a biometric passport or biometric residence card, do not worry - you will be able to apply when the scheme fully opens by 30 March 2019.

Irish citizens enjoy a right of residence in the UK that is not reliant on the UK’s membership of the EU. They do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, but they can if they want to. Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are not able to apply during the public pilot but will be able to do so when the scheme fully opens by 30 March 2019.  For more information on who can apply to this pilot, visit GOV.UK.

Application process during the pilot:

To apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to complete an online application:

●      Verify your identity - You will need to have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office) to apply in this pilot. In this pilot, all applicants must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity. This is currently only available to download on Android devices - an easy way to check if your device can use this app, is if your device has the technology to make contactless payments. A guide to using the app can be found here. The application process is fully digital. However, if the EU Exit: ID Document Check app is unable to read your biometric chip, either due to a damaged chip or some other reason, you will be asked to send your identity document to the Home Office by post. We will ensure passports are returned without delay. After using the app to verify your identity, you can complete the rest of the application either on that device or on any smartphone, laptop or computer.

●      Criminality check - You will need to complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application. This should not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.

●      Verify your residence in the UK - There are a number of ways to provide evidence of your residence. Providing your National Insurance number should help the majority of applicants demonstrate whether they qualify for settled or pre-settled status. But there may be cases where residence cannot be proven automatically in this way for a variety of reasons. If this happens, or if you disagree with the outcome of the automated check, do not worry. You will be told if you need to give any further evidence which you can easily submit online by uploading photos or scanning documents into your application. Information on the types of evidence you can use can be found on GOV.UK.

●      Pay an application fee – An application costs £65 for those aged 16 or over and £32.50 for those under 16. It is free if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Your participation in this pilot allows you to apply early to the EU Settlement Scheme and gives the Home Office an opportunity to test the application process. Successful applicants will not need to apply again for the same status once the scheme is fully open.

Please note that making an application in this pilot is entirely voluntary. There will be no change to your current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020. If you choose not to apply during this phase you will be able to apply once the scheme is fully open by 30 March 2019 and at any time up until 30 June 2021.

Support:

For more information on how to apply during this phase of testing, visit:
EU Settlement Scheme: applicant information

For any questions about an application made during the pilot, contact the EU Settlement Scheme Resolution Centre by calling 0300 123 7379 (inside the UK) or +44 (0) 203 080 0010 (outside the UK). Find out about call charges on www.gov.uk/call-charges. You can also ask a question using the online submissions form eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk.

For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme visit GOV.UK.